have Many protests have opposed President Trump’s recent policy changes over the past few months and we may see more. Today, on the show, Andrew Couts, senior editor of Wire Safety and Investigation, talks to us through the technology law enforcement uses to monitor protests, how surveillance technology has evolved over the years, and what it means for anyone to express their concerns on the street or post on social media. Also, we share wired tips on how to stay safe and you should choose to protest.
You can follow Michael Calore on Bluesky on @snackfight, Lauren Goode on Bluesky on @laurengoode, and Andrew Couts on Bluesky on @Couts. Write to us at unnancyvalley@wired.com.
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Transcript
Note: This is an automatic transcript that may contain errors.
[Archival audio]: There is no justice, no peace. Trump and Musk must go.
Michael Calore: People are challenging President Donald Trump’s recent policy changes, some created with the help of Elon Musk and his so-called Ministry of Administration Efficiency.
[Archival audio]: All 50 states have seen these so-called moves rally, as are some European cities.
Michael Calore: The first protest happened earlier this month. Tesla’s demonstrations have been rolling for weeks, and from there we are looking for a summer full of protests. So today we are talking about the risks of surveillance by law enforcement officers during the protests. We will discuss how surveillance technology is used, how it has evolved over the years, and what it means to anyone who takes to the streets or posts social media to express their concerns. This is connected Incredible valleya program about the power and influence of the people in Silicon Valley. I am Michael Calore, Director of Consumer Technology and Culture, Wired.
Lauren Goode: I’m Lauren Goode. I am a senior writer for Wired.
Michael Calore: Katie Drummond is out today, but we joined us along with Andrew Couts, senior editor of Wired Security and Investigation.
Andrew Couts: Thank you very much for owning me.
Michael Calore: So let’s start talking about what’s going on now. There were protests, there were protests from Tesla. Are these fundamentally related?
Lauren Goode: The protests and Tesla’s withdrawal movements are not the same, but they are related. They all resist some of the policies that Donald Trump has not received Congress approval in a short time since he took office in January. The people Tesla defeated were directly tied to Elon Musk, who served as an official but informal role as the governor’s leader in Trump’s administration. Sometimes we call him a partner and by demeaning one of his most important businesses in the private sector, this is Tesla, and protests are challenging Musk’s capabilities, and protests are all kinds of things. They are protesting the firing of federal workers, promotion and potentially unconstitutional immigration policies, threats to women’s rights and LGBTQ rights, threats to social security, threats to health care. The list continues. The idea is basically to get your rights out of mine.
