The Intersection of Technology, Capitalism, and Social Justice with Paris Marx

habibti please

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The Intersection of Technology, Capitalism, and Social Justice with Paris Marx

nashwa lina khan

and

Paris Marx

Apr 18, 2025

Transcript

In this exciting comeback episode of Habibti Please, we dive into the intersections of technology, capitalism, and social justice with special guest and friend of the show Paris Marx—a leading tech critic, author, and host of the acclaimed podcast Tech Won’t Save Us.

In this episode, Paris shares the story behind Tech Won’t Save Us—what inspired him to start the podcast in 2020 and how the conversations have evolved since. We also explore how gig platforms like Uber and DoorDash are reshaping the labor market. Are stronger labor protections the answer, or is a complete overhaul needed?

We dig into the future of work and discuss whether governments are ready to handle the social and economic impact of automation and artificial intelligence. Paris also speaks to which policies could change Big Tech’s growing influence.

We also examine how surveillance technology plays a role in occupation, genocide, and other fascist suppression with a focus on Gaza and occupied Palestine, Pegasus spyware, and Israel’s use and export of surveillance tools abroad. We discuss how to push back against the normalization of these practices, and can governments ever truly strike a real balance between privacy and public interest?

Throughout, Paris highlights why collective, community-driven solutions are essential to building more equitable futures.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation about the power dynamics in tech and what it will take to build a better future.

Readings that accompany this episode:

Forensic Architecture tracks surveillance of activists and journalists by Hakim Bishara (2021).

The Technology of Occupation Has Become One of Israel’s Main Exports by Antony Loewenstein (2023).

Tools to Explore and read about:

Understanding Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for CUPE Members (2023)

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has created this guide to help members understand the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. It highlights both the opportunities and risks associated with AI, including issues like workplace surveillance, discrimination, and the acceleration of work processes. The guide emphasizes the importance of union involvement in shaping AI's role in public services to protect workers' rights and enhance job quality.

Information on Shutdown of the Mobile Justice App

The ACLU has announced that the Mobile Justice app will be discontinued on February 28, 2025, due to evolving privacy laws and concerns over surveillance technology. For a decade, the app has been a critical tool for documenting police encounters. While the app is shutting down, the ACLU continues its work in police accountability, protest rights, and public safety. Find Know Your Rights resources, legal advocacy efforts, and ways to get involved through ACLU’s website.

Secure Communication & Encryption

Signal – End-to-end encrypted messaging, voice, and video calls.
Session – Decentralized, anonymous messaging app.
ProtonMail – Encrypted email service based in Switzerland.
Jitsi Meet – Secure, open-source video conferencing.
Element – Secure, federated messaging using the Matrix protocol.

Anonymous Browsing & Online Privacy

Tor Browser – Anonymizes web browsing and hides your IP address.
Brave – Privacy-focused browser with built-in ad and tracker blocking.
DuckDuckGo – Search engine that doesn’t track you.
Tails OS – A portable, live operating system that leaves no digital trace.

Anti-Surveillance & Digital Security

ObscuraCam – Removes metadata and blurs faces in images.
Haven – Turns your phone into a motion-sensitive security device.
Umbrella – Security guidance for activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
Calyx VPN – Free VPN from a nonprofit privacy group.
Riseup VPN – VPN for activists, provided by the Riseup collective.

Counter-Surveillance & Digital Investigation

ProofMode – Cryptographic timestamps for verifying photos and videos.
Maltego – OSINT tool for network analysis and data mapping.
OSINT Framework – Open-source intelligence tools for digital investigations.

Protest Safety & Documentation

Security in a Box – A comprehensive guide to digital security for activists.
Holistic Security Manual – A guide to physical and digital security for activists.

Guest Information:

Guest of the week: Paris Marx

Check out Paris’ show Tech Won’t Save Us

Check out Paris’ newsletter Disconnect

Production Credits:

Hosted by Nashwa Lina Khan

Music by Johnny Zapras and postXamerica

Art for Habibti Please by postXamerica

Production by Nashwa Lina Khan and Andre Goulet

Social Media & Support:

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