Tech Friday w/ Dave Hatter - Sponsored by Intrust IT - 4/03/2026

In this episode of Tech Friday, host Brian Thomas and guest Dave Hatter from Intrust IT dive into the growing concerns around consumer surveillance technology, starting with Ring's 'search party' feature that uses AI to track lost pets across interconnected doorbells. Dave warns that while the feature initially seems helpful, it's enabled by default and designed for future expansion—potentially to track people. He draws parallels to other Internet of Things devices, smart TVs, and mobile apps, emphasizing how software-driven features can be turned on or off remotely, often without user consent. The conversation escalates to the rise of 'high-tech scarecrows'—mobile, AI-powered cameras on wheels used in parking lots and public spaces—raising alarms about privacy, security, and the risk of foreign adversaries exploiting vulnerable systems. Dave underscores the dangers of unpatched software, especially from foreign-developed apps and hardware, citing FBI and CISA warnings about data access under China's national security laws. He advocates for a 'deny-by-default' approach to device settings and urges listeners to update their software regularly. The episode closes with a sobering vision of what could happen if critical digital infrastructure were compromised by a foreign actor.