{✊} Hack The System - Digital Activism Podcast by Acter

Jo sat down with Lucija Borak from My Voice, My Choice campaign to talk about their European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) and the transformative power of volunteer communities. How did people across EU come together gathering one million signatures for safe & accessible abortion? In this episode, Lucija shares her journey about being part of running this campaign, the unexpected connections she's built along the way, and how campaigning for abortion rights has impacted both her life and the lives of those around her. If you can and want to get involved, please make a donation to the campaign, become a volunteer, or at least make sure to follow My Voice, My Choice on Instagram!The Power of Volunteer Community with My Voice, My Choice0:00/1426.9052081×

01.08.25 • 23:46

You might face the same problem as Jo does: The laptop reports that her existing Windows 10 is running out of updates and urges her to upgrade to Windows 11. But the following check says that there are some hardware requirements not met, indicating she would have to buy new hardware.What to do? And why even is this happening? The hardware works fine, why does Windows 11 need other hardware? And what if I can't afford or don't want to upgrade? Is it a problem if I just keep using my Windows 10? Aren't there any alternatives?To help answer these question our host Jo, invited the CTO of Acter, Ben, to the show again. Spoilers: there is an alternative to throwing money at Microsoft for you to continuing using your hardware – and it's even free and we'll briefly go into how to use that.This and more in this weeks podcast episode of "Hack The System"Windows 11 upgrade - Do I really have to?0:00/2013.1325831×Notes:End of Life for WindowsWindows 10 End of Support Microsoft Website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-of-supportDisable Copilot on Window 11: https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/software/how-disable-copilot-in-windows-11Best Linux to switch to: https://jasondeegan.com/best-linux-distros-to-try-before-windows-10-support-ends/

01.07.25 • 33:33

We renamed the podcast, but also focused a bit cleaner what this all about. This trailer briefly introduces the new name and what to expect from the podcast going forward.

05.06.25 • 02:35

In this last part of the "hit the fan"-mini-series, we briefly touch on privacy-focused of vendors of hardware and software, including Laptops and Smartphones. Additionally we try to answer the question, whether you need to upgrade your Phone – in particular if an App told you the Phone version was too old ...Notes & References:PinePhone ProFramework DYI LaptopsSlimbook Linux LaptopsEnd Of Life of Operation Systems: Android, iOSPrivacy-focused Hardware vendors & Should you upgrade your phone?0:00/792.5463121×

20.05.25 • 13:12

In today's episode of the "💩 hit the fan"-miniseries we look at privacy regulation, in particular in the European Union, specifically the GDPR and the Digital Markets Regulation Act – what does that mean and what effect does it have for us "consumers". After we look a hard look at privacy-claims of Big Tech and whether we can trust those by looking back on previous claims they made, in particular how they clawed back any climate neutrality targets they had.Notes & References:Unlike said in the podcast, Google's plan was to be NetZero by 2030 (not 2025), but is failing either way, citing AI (AP, July 2024).TheVerge, Jan 2025: Apple brings Alternate Stores to iOS in EuropeCNN, Sept 2024: Microsoft wants to re-open Three Mile Island 💩 hit the fan: EU regulation and big tech privacy claims0:00/808.2322911×

06.05.25 • 13:28

We have a special episode for you; our Executive Director Emil Vincentz had the pleasure of being interviewed by Kathleen Chu for her podcast Progress Reimagined! Progress Reimagined explores innovative ideas, technologies, and emerging economic models that put humanity and our planet first. Listen now this great conversation about the challenges of digital organizing in an era of increased authoritarianism, the importance of secure and usable tools, and how decentralized technology can help preserve activist spaces. Key Topics:-The difference between mobilizing vs. organizing in social movements-How current digital tools shape activist organizing (often not for the better)-Matrix protocol and decentralized technology for movement security-Designing technology that respects user attention and privacy-Security challenges for activists in restrictive environments-Creating sustainable movement structures that don't rely on individuals-Balancing usability with security in activist technologyMake sure to follow and subscribe to Progress Reimagined for future discussions:YoutubeRSS feed for podcast platformsInstagramBlueSkySubstackActer @ Progress Reimagined Podcast: Social Movements in Dangerous Times0:00/3007.0671×

14.04.25 • 50:07

In this 💩 hit the fan mini-series we continue the discussion from last time and dive deeper into the practical aspects of privacy focused software, in particular what ethics to look for, browser and search engines

10.04.25 • 24:11

In this short episode, Jo and Ben are talking about what makes a Software privacy-focused, what to look for when making these choices and what drawbacks to expect. We'll also briefly cover the basics of how apps can track your specific smartphone.

03.04.25 • 14:33

Due to a mishandling of sensitive Information by the Trump Administration, Signal Messenger is in the press the last few days. The end-to-end-encrypted messenger is also very popular among activists. Unfortunately there is some misleading reporting implying that Signal is less secure than previously thought – we were also personally asked about this. Prompting us to make a special episode to discuss what happened, what the reporting is about and whether activists should switch to something else.Spoiler: No. Signal is secure. Additionally we cover what that might mean for the Signal Organization and what we can learn from the incident for our own Operational Security for Activists. More in the episode 😃 .Resources:404 Media: When your Threat Model is being MoronWikipedia Article about the Group-Chat-LeakSignals response on mastodonSpecial is signal secure0:00/1421.7901041×

28.03.25 • 23:41

In this 21min podcast episode Ben, Acter CTO and Lead Product, and Jo, Community Lead of Acter, talk about the Security of WhatsApp vs. Signal, share tips on Chat Group Security and what to do when you got compromised.

18.03.25 • 22:44

Digging into device security hygiene and best practices, covering the basics of encryption and password managers

02.03.25 • 19:54

Talking about the basics of activists safety & security of thread modeling

18.02.25 • 25:35

Short trailer for our upcoming mini series

03.02.25 • 00:56

Thanks for Joppe, who is joining us from Activist Handbook and talks with us about the problems of navigating digital activism

10.04.24 • 42:47

Ben & Laurato, two climate science activists, talk aout Loss & Damage on Digital Activism

13.03.24 • 37:03