cyber crime podcast

The Criminology Podcast discusses the rise of cybercrime, balancing online security with civil liberties, and the impact of government surveillance. Cybercrime includes hacking, identity theft, and ransomware attacks. Surveillance laws expanded post-9/11, sparking privacy concerns. Social media platforms mine data for targeted advertising, raising transparency issues. Government surveillance can disproportionately target minority populations. AI enhances cyber threats and requires oversight. Regulation like GDPR and digital literacy are crucial in protecting personal data. Balancing security with civil liberties is essential in the digital age. Hello and welcome to the Criminology Podcast. Today we're going to be talking about a complex issue. Cybercrime and the growing tension between online security and civil liberties. As we shift into the digital world, so does the level of threats and the level of debates. From government surveillance to social media data mining and AI-driven attacks to mass monitoring. The main question is, what is the cost of keeping the internet safe and who pays that price? In this segment, we will explore what we mean by cybercrime. At its core, cybercrime encompasses a range of illegal activities committed through digital means. This includes hacking, identity theft, ransomware attacks, online fraud, cyberstalking and corporate espionage. The digital age has not only enabled new forms of criminal behaviour, but also redefined the scope and scale of harm. According to the UK's National Crime Agency, cybercrime is now one of the most significant threats to national security and economic stability. Cyberattacks have targeted everything from banks and hospitals to energy grids and electoral systems. In 2021, the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in the US shut down one of the largest fuel pipelines, triggering fuel shortages across the East Coast. But beyond these high-profile cases, individuals are affected every day through phishing scams, data breaches and unauthorised use of personal data. As Dukes and Yar 2010 argued, the internet has facilitated new criminal subcultures while also undermining traditional policing approaches. As we grow more reliant on technology, we become more vulnerable to those who seek to exploit it. For this segment, we will be talking about the rise of surveillance and the civil liberties debate. In response to these threats, government and corporations have significantly ramped up surveillance measures. This has sparked widespread debate around privacy, liberty and potential abuse of power. Due to the September 11th attacks, surveillance laws were dramatically expanded in many Western countries. The UK's Investigatory Powers Act 2016, often referred to as the Snoopers Charter, grants intelligence agencies sweeping powers to collect and retain individuals' internet connection records. In the US, revelations by whistleblower Edward Snowden in 2013 exposed the extent of national security agencies' global surveillance programmes. Greenwald 2014 While proponents argue these measures are vital for national security, critics such as Lyon 2007 warn that they erode civil liberties, violate the right to privacy and create a chilling effect on free expression. It raises the age-old question, how much freedom are we willing to sacrifice for security? Segment 3. Social Media and Data Mining Social media platforms have become central to modern communication, but they are also data gold mines. Companies like Meta, which was formerly Facebook, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter, collect vast amounts of personal data, likes, shares, comments, location data and browsing behaviour. This data is often used for targeted advertising, but it can also be exploited. The Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed how Facebook user data was harvested without consent to influence elections. Cadwalder and Graham Harrison 2018 More broadly, the commodification of personal data about digital consent, transparency and ownership, users have little knowledge or control over how their information is used. Zuboff 2019 Furthermore, social media platforms are increasingly pressured by governments to moderate content, leading to questions about censorship, platform accountability and freedom of speech. As Trottier 2012 suggests, surveillance is now participatory and social media users themselves, both the watchers and the watch. Who decides what is harmful content and what happens when these platforms silence marginalised voices under the guise of moderation? Segment 4. Government Surveillance vs Personal Freedom Governments may argue that surveillance is necessary to combat cyber threats, terrorism and criminal activity, yet this surveillance often targets vulnerable or minority populations disproportionately. Predictive policing algorithms have been criticised for racial bias, Ferguson 2017, while facial recognition technology has been shown to misidentify people of colour at alarming high rates, Buolamwini and Gibrault 2018. Internationally, authoritarian regimes use surveillance tools to suppress dissent and control citizens. China's social credit system, for example, integrates surveillance and data analytics to monitor and regulate citizens' behaviours, raising alarm bells for privacy advocates worldwide. Even in democratic societies, there is a fine line between protection and intrusion. The potential for misuse or mission creep, where surveillance powers extend beyond their original purpose, is a persistent concern. As Garland 2001 argues, modern governance is increasingly driven by an ethos of risk management, which can lead to the normalisation of excessive control measures. Section 5. The AI Threat – Enhancing Cybercrime The rise of artificial intelligence adds a new dimension to this landscape. AI technologies can help detect cyber threats faster and more efficiently, but they can also be used maliciously. Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to create more sophisticated phishing attacks, deepfake videos and malware. AI can mimic human behaviour, making it harder for users and security systems to detect frauds. Chatbots can be exploited to spread misinformation at scale. Deepfake technology, in particular, poses a serious risk for blackmail, identity theft and political manipulation. Chesney and Citron 2019 Furthermore, AI tools used by law enforcement can be flawed or biased. Predictive algorithms may reinforce systematic inequalities if they rely on biased data. Transparency and oversight of these tools are urgently needed. As Harcourt 2007 points out, predictive policing can undermine the prevention of innocent and institutionalised discrimination if not rigorously evaluated. Segment 6. Striking a Balance – Regulation Rights and Responsibility Regulation plays a key role. The European Union's General Data Protection, GDPR, is one of the most comprehensive data privacy laws globally. It gives individuals greater control over their personal data and holds companies accountable for misuse. However, regulation must keep pace with technological advancement. Many existing laws were not designed for the realities of AI, big data and cloud computing. We also need stronger enforcement mechanisms and international cooperation as cybercrime knows no borders. Digital literacy is another essential tool. It empowers individuals to understand their rights, spot potential threats and protect their information that can reduce vulnerability to cybercrime. Civil society organisations, academics and technologists must work together to advocate for ethical practices, transparency and accountability. Civil liberties cannot be an afterthought. They must be central to any security strategy. As Solove 2008 emphasises, privacy is not just about hiding information. It's about maintaining control and autonomy in a digital society. So, as we continue to innovate and digitalise our world, the challenges posed by cybercrime will only grow. But so too must our commitment to human rights, privacy and justice. Technology can be a force for good, but only if it's guided by ethical principles and democratic oversight. Thank you for listening to my podcast.