Topic: Tor

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is scheduled to vote on the return of net neutrality rules, which would prevent internet service providers from throttling or prioritizing specific web traffic. The hosts argue that while the policy is framed as consumer protection, it may allow ISPs to block "illegal" traffic such as Tor or BitTorrent protocols. They trace the history of the regulation from the Obama era through its repeal during the Trump administration.

The FCC chairman announces plans to reinstate Net Neutrality rules. The hosts argue that Net Neutrality actually "downgrades" internet speeds to a common mean and provides a pretext for governments to throttle "illegal traffic." They specifically identify Tor and BitTorrent protocols as the likely targets of deep packet inspection, which could be used to eliminate movie sharing and anonymous browsing under the guise of equal traffic.

Ultrasonic tones are being used in sporting events and concerts to coordinate phone flashes and in mobile games like Candy Crush to track ad exposure. Security experts warn that this technology can de-anonymize users on privacy-focused platforms like the Tor browser by linking a desktop session to a nearby smartphone's ID. This "ultrasonic cross-device tracking" allows advertisers to build comprehensive profiles based on environmental audio cues.

Under the new Rule 41, a single magistrate can issue a warrant for remote access searches if a computer's location is concealed by technology like Tor or if it is part of a botnet spanning multiple districts. Critics argue this allows for sweeping searches of "damaged" computers without sufficient notice to the owners.

The FBI report details several instances of potential hacking attempts on the Clinton server, including one successful compromise of a staffer's account via Tor exit nodes. The hosts attempt to identify a heavily redacted female staffer mentioned in the documents, cross-referencing names like Huma Abedin, Cheryl Mills, and Monica Hanley to find the missing link in the server's chain of custody.

The financial relationship between the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the Mozilla Foundation, and Google is scrutinized. Google reportedly pays Mozilla $100 million annually to be the default search engine and is a major donor to the EFF. The "HTTPS Everywhere" extension, a collaboration between the EFF and the Tor Project, is introduced as a tool that forces encrypted connections on websites.

FBI Director James Comey warned criminals that they are "kidding themselves" if they believe they can hide on the dark web using the Onion Router (Tor). Comey stated that government efforts over the last five years have made it possible to view activity previously thought to be hidden. The discussion suggests that the government likely controls many Tor exit nodes.

Reddit CEO Ellen Pao stated that the platform's goal is not to be a "completely free speech platform," signaling a move toward more aggressive moderation of bullying and harassment. Conversely, Reddit has become an official funding partner of the Tor Project, an initiative focused on online anonymity and privacy.

DARPA is developing a specialized search engine called Memex to map the "Dark Web" and track ISIS recruitment and human trafficking. Unlike Google, Memex is designed to index hidden services and Tor-based websites to identify patterns of criminal activity. While the Pentagon promotes it as a tool for national security, critics suggest it may eventually become a public-facing utility or be acquired by major tech firms.

The Tor Project published a statement against online harassment, which the hosts find contradictory to the project's mission of providing absolute anonymity and free speech. The statement suggests that "empowerment" through technology does not mean all speech should be tolerated. This shift in rhetoric is interpreted as a sign that the Tor Project may be compromised or moving toward a more regulated view of digital communication.

The Economist publishes a scathing cover story on Vladimir Putin's "web of lies" regarding flight MH17. The hosts suggest the US is using the crisis to "screw the EU," as famously stated by Victoria Nuland. They also speculate that figures like Jacob Applebaum and Laura Poitras living in Berlin are part of a compromised intelligence circle.

A coordinated Twitter campaign has been discovered where hundreds of accounts are tweeting the exact same message about software that helps Edward Snowden avoid the NSA. The tweets point to Tails and Tor, leading the hosts to suspect a "honeypot" operation designed to lure users into using compromised security tools.

The U.S. State Department is accused of fomenting unrest in Turkey by supporting Fethullah Gulen, an opponent of Erdogan living in Pennsylvania. Critics argue that government-funded tools like Tor are promoted by State Department-linked figures to encourage street protests rather than simple technical solutions like changing DNS settings.

The hosts mock a Wall Street Journal video report on the TOR browser, which they claim is "outrageously dumb." The report suggests that the FBI can "lift the cloak" of TOR through old-fashioned police work. The hosts point out that TOR was originally funded by the government and that its prominent figures, like Jacob Appelbaum, are essentially "spokesholes" for the outfit.

A critique of security researcher Jacob Appelbaum suggests that his revelations about iPhone surveillance—such as the ability to remotely activate microphones and GPS—are actually routine software capabilities documented in developer forums. Appelbaum is described as an "evangelist" for the Tor Project rather than a primary developer, and his focus on specific device "vectors" is seen as a distraction from broader government dragnet surveillance.

The hosts turn their focus to Jacob Applebaum and his recent keynote at the Chaos Computer Club in Germany. They express skepticism regarding Applebaum's status as a "hero," noting his residence in Berlin and his ties to various government-funded organizations. The discussion questions the authenticity of his claims and his role in the broader Snowden/Greenwald narrative.

An analysis of the Tor Project's financial sponsors reveals significant funding from the U.S. State Department, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the Knight Foundation. The hosts argue that because Tor is a 501(c)(3) corporation receiving millions in government grants, it cannot be considered a truly independent or secure anonymity tool. They suggest Applebaum may be an agent protecting specific corporate interests.

A new donor from New South Wales, Australia, joins the associate executive producers after being introduced to the show by his brother. Another donor, Michael from Arkansas, requests a specific stock market soundbite and a "de-douching" for his son. The hosts struggle with technical limitations of their mobile setups while processing these requests.

A Twitter conflict erupts between Jacob Applebaum, Glenn Greenwald, and James Ball regarding the security of the Tor network. The discussion centers on redacted NSA PowerPoints published by The Guardian and whether the network has been compromised by the GCHQ.

The indictment of Ross Ulbricht, allegedly the "Dread Pirate Roberts" of Silk Road, is scrutinized for its detailed descriptions of how to buy drugs anonymously. FBI Special Agent Christopher Tarbell, known for the Sabu/Anonymous case, led the investigation that resulted in Ulbricht's arrest in San Francisco. The hosts question the lack of a public "perp walk" and the amateurish nature of the evidence linking Ulbricht to the site's code.