According to CIA Director John Brennan, the War on Terror is now being waged online. In a recent speech at the Council on Foreign Relations, Brennan warned about the threat of cyber terrorism and said the government needs to secure the internet.

Recent high profile hacks reinforce how important the safety of our personal data online is. Yet the government is using the threat to push through sweeping legislation that will erode civil liberties while exempting companies from existing privacy laws.

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA), is back as CISA. And Obama just issued an executive order that grants him authority to sanction people or groups engaged in civil society online. With the renewal of the Patriot Act on the horizon, the conversation about mass surveillance couldn’t be more vital.

Co-founder of The District Sentinel News Co-op Sam Sacks joins Abby Martin on Media Roots Radio to discuss all things spying.

If you want to directly download the podcast, click the down arrow icon on the right of the soundcloud display.

This Media Roots podcast is the product of many long hours of hard work and love. If you want to encourage our voice, please consider supporting us as we continue to speak from outside party lines. Even the smallest donations help us with operating costs.

Listen to all previous episodes of Media Roots Radio here.

Follow @samsacks Follow @abbymartin

Photo by EFF