The WAN Show: Piracy Is Dangerous And Harmful – October 10, 2025

Podcast: The WAN Show – Linus Tech Tips
Date: October 11, 2025
Hosts: Linus Sebastian, Luke Lafreniere, with Dan Besser
Main Theme: Navigating tech platform moderation, piracy, and user rights in the evolving technology landscape.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Linus and Luke dive into current tech news with a focus on YouTube’s vague moderation around piracy-related content, Microsoft’s anti-user Windows decisions, and broader industry moves affecting consumer experience and digital ownership. They add their signature banter, discuss their own experiences with takedowns, share hot takes on tech corporate strategies, and get hands-on with a rare Valve Steam Machine.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. YouTube's Content Takedowns and Piracy (00:56–14:44)

• YouTube Takedown of Space Invader One’s Video
  • Space Invader One's video on using Ersatz TV to turn a Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin library into a live TV channel was removed for "dangerous and harmful content."
  • Despite using only public domain films, no resolution has yet been offered after an appeal.
  • The same video remains available for free on Patreon.
• Vagueness in Takedown Reasoning
  • Linus and Luke discussed how vague policies help platforms prevent rule circumvention.
  • "You can’t be too specific about the rules because … all that does...is gamify working around the rules." — Luke (04:13)
• Comparison to Their Own Takedowns
  • Linus recounts their "DeGoogle Your Life Pt 2" video takedown for showcasing YouTube ad-circumvention.
  • "Anything around breaking a digital lock was essentially, sorry, dangerous, harmful. Can’t have it on the platform." — Linus (06:52)
  • The team purposefully timed new uploads to avoid multiple concurrent warnings.
• Google’s Stance on Adblock
  • Linus asserts that "Google, just to let you know, 100% agrees with me that adblock is piracy." (06:16)

Timestamps

• [00:56] YouTube Takedown details
• [04:13–05:28] Why platforms keep rules vague
• [06:16] Adblock as piracy according to Google

2. Motivations Behind Tech Company Moderation (08:54–14:44)

• Real Reason for the Takedown?
  • Linus and Luke speculate YouTube takedowns only get strict when Google’s own interests are threatened.
  • "The only reason that DeGoogle Your Life Part 2 ruffled their undergarments was that it was specifically around YouTube, around their platform." — Linus (07:56)
  • They debate whether Ersatz TV is a threat, concluding it likely targets traditional content licensing rather than YouTube itself.
• Allegations of Inconsistent Policy Enforcement
  • Other creators with similar content haven’t had takedowns or bans, which raises questions about targeted moderation.
  • "It just feels like … it can’t help but feel a little targeted." — Linus (12:56)

3. Windows 11: Local Accounts and User Experience (14:44–41:47)

• Microsoft Continues to Gatekeep Local Accounts
  • Microsoft is removing more ways to set up offline/local accounts in Windows 11, requiring an internet connection and a Microsoft account.
  • Linus: "Did they have like a committee ... for how to make things less convenient, how to make Windows worse? Good committee." (01:09)
• Search and UX Problems
  • Ongoing pain points with Windows Search, default applications, and in-built advertisements are discussed in detail.
  • "If I have purchased my Windows, I don’t want freaking ads." — Luke (31:06)
• The Linux Hypothetical
  • Wild speculation on Microsoft switching Windows to a Linux base—potential benefits, the commercial ramifications, and the (un)likelihood it happens.
  • "I just don’t think there’s going to be much special sauce left for Windows at that point." — Linus (27:46)
• Linux as a Growing Alternative
  • The community’s progress (e.g., through Proton/Valve’s work) is making Linux a more viable option for general consumers.
  • "Computers are getting less and less central in people’s lives. Linux is getting easier and easier for people to use and the barriers are getting lower due to things like Proton." — Luke (28:13)

Timestamps

• [15:19–20:27] Search functionality and product bloat
• [22:14–27:46] The Linux-based Windows alternate reality

4. Steam Machine Live Demo and PC Case Design (41:59–54:26; 149:00+)

• Linus showcases an original Valve Steam Machine, discussing its unique engineering, design quirks, and the failed experiment of its thermal layout.
• Plans to refurbish the system as a modern living room console once Valve releases desktop SteamOS.
• "I’m so excited for my Steam Machine." — Linus (42:09)
• The crew attempts to boot the system live, reflecting on hardware nostalgia and PC history throughout.

Timestamps

• [41:59] Steam Machine unboxing segment
• [43:05] Hardware design deep dive

5. Merch Messages, Gift Card Snafu, and Meta-Operations (59:53–73:00)

• A flash 10% gift card promotion accidentally goes live just before Black Friday, leading to a mad scramble and chaos in "merch messages."
• The hosts candidly describe their internal processes, mistakes, and how they communicate store promotions to fans.

6. Industry News Rapid-Fire: Synology, Logitech, Class Actions & More (72:56–146:22)

Synology Walks Back Drive Restrictions (72:56)

• Synology reversed its controversial restriction on using only approved drives after consumer backlash.
• Linus openly discloses his investment in Hexos, an up-and-coming NAS OS aiming to disrupt Synology.

Logitech Bricks Smart Home Devices (78:23)

• Sudden EOS (end-of-service) for the Pop smart buttons with little warning or meaningful compensation; both Linus and Luke criticize the planned obsolescence.
• "A 15% discount is not an apology. That’s a retention marketing strategy, not compensation." — Linus (79:54)

ParkMobile Data Breach Settlement (81:04)

• Class action provides laughable $1 credits to consumers, majority of the payout goes to lawyers.
• "The fact that they make you spread a $1 credit across four purchases is all the proof...the lawyers ... do not care about any kind of ... justice." — Linus (84:01)

South Korean Gov’t Data Loss (134:59)

• A fire destroys 858TB of government data due to lack of backup, revealing catastrophic IT risk management.
• "Blaming the employees at this point is the least based thing you could possibly do." — Linus (138:12)

Qualcomm Acquires Arduino (95:28)

• Discussion on the risk to open source from such acquisitions, questioning future openness and educational focus.

7. Cars, Subscriptions, and Digital Locks (100:33–116:53)

• Ford and others are increasingly locking core vehicle features (navigation, heated seats, performance) behind subscriptions, even for hardware already present in the vehicle.
• Linus: "You are going to have to pry my money from my cold, dead hands before I buy a car that doesn’t support me just plugging in my phone and using all my crap..." (101:24)
• GM earns billions from such subscriptions and bets consumers will pay up.

8. Xbox and Game Pass: The Streaming, Ad-Supported Future? (115:38–125:46)

• Rumors swirl around Xbox hardware, a canceled handheld, and a potential ad-supported, streaming-only tier for Game Pass.
• Luke mourns the direction of modern gaming, fearing worse user experiences as the industry pivots to ad-and microtransaction-centric models.
• "I think gaming was better when you owned less games because you bought them ... and there weren't ads." — Luke (125:10)

9. Steam Deck’s “Success” vs. Console Failures (127:44–133:49)

• Why is the Steam Deck hailed as a success with relatively low sales, compared to consoles like the PS Vita or Wii U?
• Linus: "Expectations for Linux gaming were that it was just never going to happen ... millions of units is incredible for gaming on Linux." (128:14)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tech Company Moderation:
  "You can’t be too specific about the rules because ... all that does...is gamify working around the rules." — Luke (04:13)

• On Adblock as Piracy:
  "Google, just to let you know, 100% agrees with me that adblock is piracy." — Linus (06:16)

• On Windows Ads:
  "If I have purchased my Windows, I don't want freaking ads." — Luke (31:06)

• On Vehicle Subscriptions:
  "A feature of a vehicle that is not just part of it and that requires a subscription doesn't exist. So I have literally never used them." — Linus (110:34)

• On Modern Gaming Industry:
  "When microtransactions came in, cool cosmetics for accomplishing cool things went away...fun cheat codes went away." — Luke (123:37)

• On Success in Spite of ADHD:
  "What every single successful person has in common…is they all worked their butt off and didn’t take failure as an option..." — Linus (203:00)

• Ultimate Tech-nerd Moments:

  • Live hardware diagnostics with the Valve Steam Machine.
  • Detailed breakdown of operating system evolution speculation.

Additional Highlights & Timestamps

• Steam Machine Showcase: [41:59, 149:00+]
• Gift Card Promo Debacle: [59:53]
• Rapid-fire audience Q&A ("Merch messages" and After Dark): [156:04+]
• Bird Sleep Metaphor (Luke): "Luke sleeps like a bird. You just put a blanket on him." [187:50]

Tone and Style Summary

The episode combines in-depth, sometimes irreverent tech analysis with Linus and Luke’s trademark sarcasm, nostalgia, and practical consumer empathy. The hosts pivot seamlessly from serious commentary on industry trends to self-deprecating anecdotes and live tinkering, creating an engaging, varied listening experience.

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• Tech platforms’ lack of transparency in moderation often serves self-protection, not user clarity.
• Increasingly, consumer devices and software are moving away from user empowerment (local logins, ownership, interoperability) in favor of vendor lock-in and recurring revenue.
• Real digital “ownership” is endangered by cloud reliance, DRM, and subscription models.
• Nostalgia persists for older, user-focused hardware and software, with Linux and open hardware experiencing a low-key renaissance thanks to consumer pushback.
• The future of gaming, operating systems, and even cars, will depend on how vigorously users push back against paywalled features and cloud-tethered control.

(For full technical details, refer to the episode transcript and segment timestamps.)