The 404 Media Podcast – "Privacy Under Pressure (With Harlo Holmes)"

Release Date: February 23, 2026
Host: 404 Media
Guest: Harlo Holmes, Chief Security Programs Officer at Freedom of the Press Foundation

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the urgent and evolving challenges journalists and everyday citizens face regarding digital security, privacy, and press freedom in the U.S. Host and guest Harlo Holmes (Freedom of the Press Foundation) dissect the tools, political climate, and changes in threat landscapes, with a focus on practical advice and systemic observations. The conversation ranges from technical toolkits like SecureDrop and Danger Zone to global attitudes on privacy, cycles of censorship, and the current targeting of journalists.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction to Freedom of the Press Foundation

[01:18 - 04:10]

• The foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit supporting press freedom through:
  • Advocacy: Legal support, legal briefs, active case participation.
  • Press Freedom Tracker: A newsroom focused on documenting abuses against press.
  • Technical Tools: SecureDrop for source/journalist anonymity and tools like Danger Zone to scrub malware/tracking from documents.
• Security Training: Holmes’ team develops primers, blogs, and offers training and organizational security audits tailored to journalists’ needs.
• “We support press freedom in all of the ways we can… right now we do it in three ways.” — Harlow Holmes (01:18)

Why Digital Security Matters for All

[04:10 - 06:46]

• Security isn’t just for journalists—ordinary citizens participating in protests or everyday activities could face confiscation of devices or targeting by authorities.
• Key point: Even recording police in public can be cause for having your devices taken.

Practical Security Advice for Everyone

[06:46 - 09:39]

• Situational Awareness is Key: Tailor your digital hygiene to your environment.
• Passcodes vs. Biometrics:
  • Strong passcodes protect better against law enforcement extraction tools but are less convenient.
  • Biometrics (fingerprint/face unlock) are more convenient but can be compelled.
• “Finding that sweet spot that makes sense for you… all of these things… is something that… people might want to have to think about.” — Harlow Holmes (08:24)
• Security settings are fluid, based on context and geography.

Legal Precedent and Device Security

[09:39 - 14:24]

• Discussion of legal ambiguities:
  • Biometrics can likely be compelled by warrant (recent WaPo example).
  • Passcodes are more legally protected.
• Toggling Security Modes:
  • Rapid gestures on devices can disable biometrics in seconds.
  • Powering off a phone before potential confiscation offers “Before First Unlock (BFU)” state—a maximally encrypted state.
• “You can actually make that switch on the fly.” — Host (13:22)
• Trade-offs: sometimes you need the device for communication or filming, sometimes you need it totally locked down.

The Political and Cultural Landscape of Digital Security

[15:02 - 20:23]

• Attitudes on digital security vary by country, culture, and historical context.
• In Europe: Positive changes, optimism around open-source and data sovereignty movements.
• South America: Historically, higher levels of nihilism and caution due to violence against journalists.
• The U.S. once had a “tech will save us” ethos—now, “it’s more of a fight.”
• “It used to be really, really simplistic to say… but these attitudes evolve.” — Harlow Holmes (16:39)

Open Source, Linux, and Resistance to Surveillance

[23:46 - 28:16]

• AI integration and OS surveillance are pushing more users toward Linux and open source as an act of resistance.
• “Using Linux systems is actually the easiest path forward… if I learn Linux, I can actually learn to build something on my own terms.” — Harlow Holmes (24:22)
• The trend reflects a backlash against “AI everywhere” and corporate surveillance.

Battling Privacy Nihilism and Censorship

[28:16 - 33:09]

• Host and Holmes discuss the widespread feeling of privacy nihilism: “My data’s everywhere, so why bother?”
• Holmes calls out the problems with blanket age/ID verification laws; warns that such systems risk both privacy and access to sensitive or identity-affirming information for vulnerable users.
• “I’m worried more about what this means from a censorship angle… the false equivalence [of censorship].” — Harlow Holmes (29:45)
• But there’s optimism—communities will always find a way to connect and resist, even as platforms close or restrict.

The Loss of Anonymous, Private Online Spaces

[33:09 - 34:27]

• Younger generations may not know the experience of anonymous boards or secure, non-corporate digital communities.
• Signal and other secure messengers fill some of this gap, but aren’t as open to “meeting new people” as old chat boards were.
• “I love Signal… it has always been a very, very important place to find my tribe and to connect with them.” — Harlow Holmes (32:15)

Case Studies: Recent Attacks on Journalists

[34:27 - 39:27]

• Arrests and Device Seizure:
  • Cites recent high-profile seizures (Hannah Natenson/WaPo, Don Lemon, Georgia Fort).
  • Foundation responds with legal and technical consulting, case analysis, and support for affected journalists.
• Encryption and Lockdown Mode:
  • They truly work; they minimized the damage in the Natenson case.
  • “Encryption works. Lockdown mode works… they’re not just buzzwords…” — Harlow Holmes (35:01)
• Blast radius: Securing or automatically deleting old messages reduces threat to sources.
• Targeting of marginalized journalists: Black journalists have a different, often riskier, threat model. Protections that help the most targeted, help everyone.

Evolving Threats to Press Freedom

[40:08 - 42:23]

• Growing concern about the “hollowing out” of long-standing legal protections (e.g., using warrants instead of subpoenas for raids).
• “Destroying [community support] from the inside is what I think is going to… leave us at the extremes where we can’t find one another.” — Harlow Holmes (41:46)
• Emphasis on solidarity and mutual aid between journalists and communities as protections erode.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Finding that sweet spot that makes sense for you… is something that… people might want to have to think about.” — Harlow Holmes (08:24)
• “You can actually make that switch on the fly.” — Host (13:22)
• “Encryption works. Lockdown mode works… they’re not just buzzwords…” — Harlow Holmes (35:01)
• “If I learn Linux, I can actually learn to build something on my own terms.” — Harlow Holmes (24:22)
• “I love Signal… it has always been a very, very important place to find my tribe…” — Harlow Holmes (32:15)
• “Destroying [community support] from the inside is what I think is going to… leave us at the extremes where we can’t find one another.” — Harlow Holmes (41:46)

Key Timestamps

• 01:18 – Freedom of the Press Foundation—what it is and what it does
• 06:46 – Security for everyday people, not just journalists
• 13:31 – Device security: switching between biometrics and passcodes
• 15:45 – How digital security attitudes differ globally and over time
• 24:22 – Rise of Linux/maker culture as resistance to surveillance/AI
• 29:45 – Why ID verification and censorship are a double-threat
• 34:27 – Recent journalist seizures, Foundation response, and case studies
• 40:39 – New/old threats, breakdown of legal protections, why solidarity matters

Conclusion

The episode underscores that digital and press security are mounting issues not just for journalists, but for all citizens, especially as legal and technical protections are tested. Holmes advocates for everyday situational awareness, practical security steps, and community-driven solidarity, emphasizing that privacy and free expression protections for those most at risk ultimately protect everyone. Even amidst pessimism and barriers, she and the hosts offer optimism rooted in history, practical know-how, and communal resistance.

For further resources and secure journalism tools, visit:
Freedom of the Press Foundation
404 Media