Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Hack of the Century, the Real 'Dog Day Afternoon,' and More...
A new documentary tells the story of the outrageous real life bank robber that inspired Al Pacino’s character in the movie “Dog Day Afternoon.” Also, did Russian hackers pull off the biggest hack ever? Should we be freaking out? And more...
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenRussian hackers have apparently stolen more than a billion passwords and 500 million email addresses, but the breach may be less of a threat than it seems. In our weekly tech roundup, we look at a new app that claims to track spiritual health. The White House is locked in a battle with senators in Congress over how much of a report on CIA and torture should be made public. Next, a new documentary looks at the life of the real bank robber who inspired Al Pacino’s character in the classic Sidney Lumet film “Dog Day Afternoon.” Finally, the man who accused director Bryan Singer and three others of sexually abusing him in the 1990s has withdrawn the last of his lawsuits, but it may not be the end of his legal fight.
Banner Image: Dog Day Afternoon Movie Poster; Credit: Movies in LA
In this episode
5 storiesThe Hack of the Century?
Russian hackers have apparently stolen more than a billion passwords and 500 million email addresses, making it the worst online security breach ever. So … should we all be freaking out? Maybe not, it turns out.
Read the story8 minTLDR Internet Roundup
Hackers threaten us with the involuntary sharing of information -- but we voluntarily relinquish lots of personal data every day, as long as there’s a payoff. For example, many of us use fitness apps that rely on input about our bodies and diets. Now, there’s an app for tracking your spiritual health. What information does it require?
Read the story8 minHigh-Stakes Battle Over Torture Report
The White House and senators in Congress are locked in a battle over how much of a Senate report about CIA and torture should be public. Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Dianne Feinstein says she won’t release the report until some redactions are removed from it, putting her in a deadlock with the Obama administration.
Read the story9 minThe Real 'Dog Day Afternoon'
In 1972, a man robbed a Brooklyn bank to get money for his lover’s sex change operation. The story became a media spectacle, and then a cinematic sensation. It was the inspiration for Sidney Lumet’s classic film “Dog Day Afternoon,” starring Al Pacino as the thief. A new documentary looks at the real man at the center of the story.
Read the story15 minBryan Singer Sex Charges Likely to be Dropped
Michael Egan, the man who accused film director Bryan Singer and three others of sexually abusing him when he was a teenager, has withdrawn the last of his lawsuits. But it’s not clear yet whether this marks the end of Egan’s legal fight.
Read the story7 min
