RandomNym on Ungovernable Misfits & other news!
MyNymBox got their spot on an interesting podcast this week. Meanwhile the Trump administration ramps up surveillance and defense, as ICE gains spyware and the Defense Department rebrands amid rising global tensions.
RandomNym on the Ungovernable Misfits Podcast
In this episode, Ungovernable Misfits sits down with RandomNym, a long-time supporter and sponsor of the show, to explore the world of privacy-focused hosting. RandomNym shares how his company provides secure, anonymous hosting services without compromising user privacy, emphasizing their commitment to avoiding user data collection and minimizing centralized control. He explains their strategy for choosing favorable jurisdictions that protect user rights, and how decentralization and off-site backups help ensure service resilience and security.
Notably, RandomNym dedicates his voice and message in this episode as a tribute to John McAfee, the late cybersecurity pioneer and outspoken advocate for digital privacy. McAfee's legacy as a relentless defender of individual freedoms and privacy rights serves as a guiding inspiration for RandomNym’s work. The conversation also touches on the broader ethical and legal challenges of running a privacy-first business, highlighting the need for strong principles in an increasingly surveilled digital world.
Jury Hits Google with $425M Verdict in Privacy Case After Major Legal Shake-Up
In a major privacy class-action trial, Google has been ordered to pay $425 million after a San Francisco federal jury found the tech giant unlawfully collected user data even when users had opted out of such tracking. The case, representing nearly 100 million Google users, alleged the company ignored privacy settings meant to protect user data.
The trial concluded a five-year legal battle that saw an unexpected twist when key members of Google's defense team left the law firm Willkie Farr & Gallagher just weeks before trial and moved to Cooley LLP, bringing the case with them. Their departure followed internal discontent over Willkie’s agreement with the Trump administration to provide pro bono work in line with executive orders. Cooley quickly staffed up to take the lead on the high-stakes case. Though the plaintiffs sought $31 billion in damages, the jury awarded a smaller but still substantial sum. Google has stated it will appeal the decision, arguing the jury misunderstood how its systems work.
ICE Reportedly Deploys Spyware as Trump Administration Reshapes U.S. Defense Landscape
In a concerning escalation of domestic surveillance, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reportedly gained access to spyware capabilities, adding to a growing arsenal of law enforcement tools under the Trump administration. The development raises alarm among privacy advocates, especially as the U.S. continues to experience a sharp shift in its geopolitical and internal security strategies.
This news follows a series of dramatic moves by President Trump, including a symbolic rebranding of the U.S. Department of Defense to the “Department of War.” The executive order was signed Friday, and the official defense website now redirects from Defense.gov to War.gov. These developments come amid rising global tensions and military posturing, such as China’s latest high-tech military parade in Tiananmen Square, underscoring a potentially volatile new chapter in international and domestic power dynamics.
