Inside the battle between absolute privacy and real-world adoption and why zero-knowledge tech may redefine the internet.

Privacy has always been framed as a binary: total anonymity or full transparency. But what if that framing is wrong?

In the debut episode of The Privacy Podcast by Miden, host Ben Schiller sits down with Evin McMullen to unpack one of the most urgent debates shaping the future of the internet: Can privacy truly scale without compromise?

Drawing from a live debate between privacy “maximalists” and pragmatists, this conversation cuts through ideology and gets real about what it actually takes to bring decentralized technologies into the mainstream.

From the rise of bots and AI agents to the evolving role of governments and regulation, this episode explores how privacy is no longer just a principle. It is becoming infrastructure.

Why This Matters

We are entering a moment where more than half of online interactions are no longer human. Identity is fragmented. Trust is eroding. And the systems designed to protect us were never built for this scale.

This episode makes one thing clear:
Privacy is not a feature. It is a fragile outcome shaped by technology, regulation, and design decisions happening right now.

And the stakes are not theoretical. They are deeply human.

What We Cover

• The real debate: privacy maximalism vs practical adoption
• Why “perfect privacy” may prevent real-world scale
• How zero-knowledge proofs are changing data sharing
• The rise of bots and non-human actors online
• Why governments and institutions are leading adoption faster than expected
• The growing tension between regulation, surveillance, and user protection
• How AI agents are reshaping trust, identity, and consent
• The hidden cost of compliance for businesses handling sensitive data
• Why privacy is ultimately about control, not secrecy

About the 👤 Guest

• LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/evin-mcmullen
X (Twitter)
https://x.com/provenauthority

• Billions Network
https://www.billions.network

Key Takeaways

• Privacy is not about hiding. It is about control over disclosure
• Absolute privacy is often incompatible with real-world adoption
• Zero-knowledge technology enables proof without exposure and changes everything
• Regulation will likely shape the future faster than consumer choice
• AI is accelerating both the risks and the urgency around privacy
• The next evolution of the internet depends on verifiable identity without sacrificing personal data

Notable Insight

“Privacy is not a product. It is an end state achieved through the absence of disclosure.”

About the Show

The Privacy Podcast by Miden explores the intersection of privacy, identity, and emerging technologies. Hosted by Ben Schiller, the show brings together builders, regulators, and thinkers shaping what comes next in a world where data is power.

Executive Producer Michele Musso
Edited by the Musso Media Team