It’s been a wild few weeks at Ivy Cyber. Between new launches, podcasts, and live events, our team has been working hard to bring privacy and security to the forefront. Your early support, feedback, and encouragement have fueled our journey and we’re kicking it into high gear.
TLDR;
🕵️ Enroll Now in John Kiriakou and Sean O’Brien’s new course.
📸 Four Ivy Cyber staff presented at Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) in New York.
💻 The first Launchpad Pro tablets shipped in September
🔆 PrivacySafe subscriptions are now available for Early Access customers.
🍰 Cake Wallet runs by default on our hardware and inside PrivacySafe apps
TLDR;
🕵️ Enroll Now in John Kiriakou and Sean O’Brien’s new course.
📸 Four Ivy Cyber staff presented at Hackers on Planet Earth (HOPE) in New York.
💻 The first Launchpad Pro tablets shipped in September
🔆 PrivacySafe subscriptions are now available for Early Access customers.
🍰 Cake Wallet runs by default on our hardware and inside PrivacySafe apps
🤳 TikTok & The Illusion of Security
Sean describes the long campaign in the U.S. against TikTok as “a data tariff,” not a genuine privacy measure. Both U.S. and Chinese companies harvest vast amounts of user data and monetize it through advertising. The real issue is not who owns the app but the surveillance economy itself.
He reminds listeners that banning one app does not protect privacy. U.S. platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google collect just as much data. What matters is transparency and control. Sean points to StickTock.com, a tool that strips TikTok videos of their surveillance issues, that was built by the Ivy Cyber team under the PrivacySafe banner.
Sean describes the long campaign in the U.S. against TikTok as “a data tariff,” not a genuine privacy measure. Both U.S. and Chinese companies harvest vast amounts of user data and monetize it through advertising. The real issue is not who owns the app but the surveillance economy itself.
He reminds listeners that banning one app does not protect privacy. U.S. platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Google collect just as much data. What matters is transparency and control. Sean points to StickTock.com, a tool that strips TikTok videos of their surveillance issues, that was built by the Ivy Cyber team under the PrivacySafe banner.
⚙️ Robots, Deregulation & Everyday Risk
John recalls attending a Los Angeles tech expo and seeing humanoid and quadruped robots up close: lifelike, affordable, and already being deployed. Sean explains that these devices often use weak encryption and insecure wireless protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Once connected to the internet, they can be hacked, repurposed, or even weaponized.
Sean warns that the U.S. is deep in a deregulatory cycle, allowing powerful technologies to enter daily life with almost no guardrails. Many new robots now include Large Language Models (LLM) and take action without human oversight. As prices fall, they will spread quickly into workplaces and homes. Without strong rules and public awareness, their convenience may come at a dangerous cost.
John recalls attending a Los Angeles tech expo and seeing humanoid and quadruped robots up close: lifelike, affordable, and already being deployed. Sean explains that these devices often use weak encryption and insecure wireless protocols such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Once connected to the internet, they can be hacked, repurposed, or even weaponized.
Sean warns that the U.S. is deep in a deregulatory cycle, allowing powerful technologies to enter daily life with almost no guardrails. Many new robots now include Large Language Models (LLM) and take action without human oversight. As prices fall, they will spread quickly into workplaces and homes. Without strong rules and public awareness, their convenience may come at a dangerous cost.
✈️ The Cisco Breach & Global Cyber Conflict
When John raises recent reports of major Cisco vulnerabilities, Sean explains how fragile our digital infrastructure really is. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued rare public alerts about the scale of the breach, which exposed millions of devices that help move internet traffic worldwide.
Sean compares Cisco’s secrecy to the aviation industry, where manufacturers sometimes hide defects to protect revenue. He argues that the solution is open hardware and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) that can be independently audited. Transparency, not secrecy, is what prevents catastrophic failures. Without it, the same profit-driven shortcuts that lead to airline disasters will continue to endanger digital networks around the world.
When John raises recent reports of major Cisco vulnerabilities, Sean explains how fragile our digital infrastructure really is. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued rare public alerts about the scale of the breach, which exposed millions of devices that help move internet traffic worldwide.
Sean compares Cisco’s secrecy to the aviation industry, where manufacturers sometimes hide defects to protect revenue. He argues that the solution is open hardware and Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) that can be independently audited. Transparency, not secrecy, is what prevents catastrophic failures. Without it, the same profit-driven shortcuts that lead to airline disasters will continue to endanger digital networks around the world.
💰 Crypto, Privacy, and Control
John mentions the endless phishing emails that claim his Coinbase account has been hacked. Sean uses that as a teaching moment: centralized exchanges like Coinbase and PayPal have turned cryptocurrency into a managed service rather than a true peer-to-peer (P2P) system.
He urges people to take control of their funds by using cold wallets and privacy-focused currencies such as Monero. Ivy Cyber partners with Cake Wallet to train users in how to safeguard their assets offline. The message is clear — if you do not hold your own keys, you do not really own your crypto.
John mentions the endless phishing emails that claim his Coinbase account has been hacked. Sean uses that as a teaching moment: centralized exchanges like Coinbase and PayPal have turned cryptocurrency into a managed service rather than a true peer-to-peer (P2P) system.
He urges people to take control of their funds by using cold wallets and privacy-focused currencies such as Monero. Ivy Cyber partners with Cake Wallet to train users in how to safeguard their assets offline. The message is clear — if you do not hold your own keys, you do not really own your crypto.
🚕 Robotaxis & the Limits of Machine Judgment
The conversation closes with the subject of self-driving cars. John recounts seeing Waymo vehicles in Los Angeles that froze in traffic or stalled in puddles. Sean explains that these incidents stem from “misalignment,” the gap between what humans intend and what machines actually interpret.
AI systems generate probabilistic responses, not fixed rules, so even small misunderstandings of a command can cause unexpected outcomes. Sean also raises privacy concerns about LIDAR mapping, which allows cars to record their surroundings in incredible detail. That data can be stored, replayed, and analyzed later: a form of automated surveillance hidden beneath the promise of convenience.
Sean’s conclusion is not anti-technology. He calls for democratic control, transparency, and slower deployment of AI systems until the public can understand and govern them responsibly.
💭 Closing Thoughts
Throughout the discussion, John and Sean return to one theme: the technologies that make modern life efficient are also those that make it vulnerable. From social media to AI, every system that collects data can be exploited. Awareness, accountability, and open design are the best defenses against invisible risks.
The conversation closes with the subject of self-driving cars. John recounts seeing Waymo vehicles in Los Angeles that froze in traffic or stalled in puddles. Sean explains that these incidents stem from “misalignment,” the gap between what humans intend and what machines actually interpret.
AI systems generate probabilistic responses, not fixed rules, so even small misunderstandings of a command can cause unexpected outcomes. Sean also raises privacy concerns about LIDAR mapping, which allows cars to record their surroundings in incredible detail. That data can be stored, replayed, and analyzed later: a form of automated surveillance hidden beneath the promise of convenience.
Sean’s conclusion is not anti-technology. He calls for democratic control, transparency, and slower deployment of AI systems until the public can understand and govern them responsibly.
💭 Closing Thoughts
Throughout the discussion, John and Sean return to one theme: the technologies that make modern life efficient are also those that make it vulnerable. From social media to AI, every system that collects data can be exploited. Awareness, accountability, and open design are the best defenses against invisible risks.
🕵️ Defend Yourself From Spies
Join John Kiriakou and Sean O’Brien for an eight-week online course by Ivy Cyber.
This Surveillance Defense Course teaches how to detect real-world surveillance, safeguard your digital life, and build the awareness to protect yourself in both cyberspace and your neighborhood.
Dates: November 3 – December 28, 2025
Format: 3 Live Sessions and “Learn At Your Pace” Course Materials
Price: $895 USD (discounts available for paid Bits On Tape subscribers)
Enroll Now: https://ivycyber.com/product/course-surveillance-defense/
What you’ll learn:
Field techniques for recognizing and countering hostile surveillance
Tools for encrypted communication and private browsing
Practical exercises in operational security and cyber defense
Included:
12-month PrivacySafe Personal subscription
Discounts on Ivy Cyber products and future courses
Verified blockchain certificate of completion
🛡 Learn from experience. Defend with knowledge.
Join John Kiriakou and Sean O’Brien for an eight-week online course by Ivy Cyber.
This Surveillance Defense Course teaches how to detect real-world surveillance, safeguard your digital life, and build the awareness to protect yourself in both cyberspace and your neighborhood.
Dates: November 3 – December 28, 2025
Format: 3 Live Sessions and “Learn At Your Pace” Course Materials
Price: $895 USD (discounts available for paid Bits On Tape subscribers)
Enroll Now: https://ivycyber.com/product/course-surveillance-defense/
What you’ll learn:
Field techniques for recognizing and countering hostile surveillance
Tools for encrypted communication and private browsing
Practical exercises in operational security and cyber defense
Included:
12-month PrivacySafe Personal subscription
Discounts on Ivy Cyber products and future courses
Verified blockchain certificate of completion
🛡 Learn from experience. Defend with knowledge.
Ivy Cyber
Masterclass: Surveillance & Terrorism
Join former CIA officer John Kiriakou for an 8-week online program and protect yourself in cyberspace and your neighborhood.
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Bits On Tape pinned «🕵️ Defend Yourself From Spies Join John Kiriakou and Sean O’Brien for an eight-week online course by Ivy Cyber. This Surveillance Defense Course teaches how to detect real-world surveillance, safeguard your digital life, and build the awareness to protect…»
What's #AWS ? Avoid the clownshow🤡 and hang out somewhere that isn't feeling the outage, by design - #decentralized and FREE.
🔆Try https://privacysafe.social and connect with millions of #fediverse users.
🔆Try https://privacysafe.social and connect with millions of #fediverse users.
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If you want to find us on #Facebook, it's https://facebook.com/IvyCyber
We just got recognized by Joe Rogan as a top fan account there thanks to John Kiriakou's appearance on #JoeRoganExperience 🎉
We just got recognized by Joe Rogan as a top fan account there thanks to John Kiriakou's appearance on #JoeRoganExperience 🎉
🕺These are our best stats yet for PrivacySafe.Social ! Join the weekend #social #party ✨ https://privacysafe.social
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We launched http://PrivacySafe.Social over a year ago, but kept it exclusive w/ "friends & family" until August at Hackers On Planet Earth conference
In approx. 3 months PrivacySafe.social userbase grew 413% and active users grew by 519%
Now that's what I call parabolic! 📈
In approx. 3 months PrivacySafe.social userbase grew 413% and active users grew by 519%
Now that's what I call parabolic! 📈
Mastodon hosted on privacysafe.social
PrivacySafe Social
Your Stylish Replacement for Twitter X. No Ads, No Spyware, No Manipulation.
📸 PrivacySafe.app got a quick #glowup before the #holidays! What do you think? https://privacysafe.app
😱 We Vibe Coded This AI Slop Nightmare with ChatGPT
It Only Took 15 Mins to Pollute the Internet with the World's Worst Website
Way back in August, we ran a simple test — we asked ChatGPT to vibe code the worst site possible. Purposefully coding a pile of AI slop comes with great responsibility… and we’re confident that we’ve contained this flaming pile of garbage well enough to share it with our loyal fans. 🤓
Check it out for yourself, but you've been warned! https://bitsontape.com/p/chatgpt-vibe-code-thanksgiving
It Only Took 15 Mins to Pollute the Internet with the World's Worst Website
Way back in August, we ran a simple test — we asked ChatGPT to vibe code the worst site possible. Purposefully coding a pile of AI slop comes with great responsibility… and we’re confident that we’ve contained this flaming pile of garbage well enough to share it with our loyal fans. 🤓
Check it out for yourself, but you've been warned! https://bitsontape.com/p/chatgpt-vibe-code-thanksgiving
Bitsontape
😱 We Vibe Coded This AI Slop Nightmare with ChatGPT
It Only Took 15 Mins to Pollute the Internet with the World's Worst Website
Forwarded from Arcanum Ventures Announcements
Privacy is no longer just a niche, it is the operating system for the next cycle.
We explain the identity auction and a playbook for users and builders.
Read the Article
Twitter Post
Bluesky Post
LinkedIn Post
We explain the identity auction and a playbook for users and builders.
Read the Article
Twitter Post
Bluesky Post
LinkedIn Post
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We're doing a hardware giveaway with vxunderground on twitter X: https://x.com/profdiggity/status/2002270553965486150
X (formerly Twitter)
Sean O'Brien (@profdiggity) on X
@vxunderground @ivycybered Here's some more details and screenshots of the tablet + router! 👇 Follow @IvyCyberEd & @GetPrivacySafe
https://t.co/oEvtkSJnyI
https://t.co/oEvtkSJnyI
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