266: Learn How to Spot Crowdfunding Scams on Kickstarter! Then, Tech’s Privacy Battles: Google’s $425M Settlement for Tracking Users, Zuckerberg’s Neighborhood Feud, and Disney’s $10M fine | Air Date: 9/9 - 9/15/25

TechTime with Nathan Mumm

Data privacy wars are heating up as tech giants face mounting legal and social consequences for their actions. In this eye-opening episode, we dissect Google's staggering $425 million privacy lawsuit settlement after the company was caught collecting user data even when people explicitly opted out of tracking. The verdict raises crucial questions about what "privacy choices" actually mean in today's digital landscape.
The billionaire bubble gets punctured as we explore Mark Zuckerberg's neighborhood troubles in Silicon Valley. After purchasing 11 properties for a massive $110 million compound, Zuckerberg's construction projects have neighbors up in arms over noise, privacy invasions, and security guards harassing residents on public sidewalks. His solution to noise complaints? Sending neighbors noise-canceling headphones rather than addressing the actual problem – a perfect metaphor for how tech billionaires approach community relations.
Disney joins the privacy violation club with a $10 million settlement for improperly labeling children's videos on YouTube, allowing collection of kids' personal information without parental consent. Despite YouTube manually correcting hundreds of Disney videos and alerting the entertainment giant to the problem, the company continued the practice – demonstrating how even child-focused businesses prioritize data collection over privacy protections.
Our Gadgets and Gear segment takes an educational turn as we analyze a suspicious Kickstarter dash cam project, identifying red flags like stock footage videos, unrealistically low funding goals, and high backer cancellation rates. This practical lesson helps listeners avoid potential crowdfunding scams while still supporting legitimate innovations.
We wrap with a passionate discussion about the commercialization of supposedly "ad-free" premium services like NFL Red Zone, examining how streaming platforms initially hook subscribers with commercial-free promises before gradually introducing advertising. The conversation sparks important questions about value, transparency, and the limits of consumer patience in the subscription economy.
Ready to stay ahead of mainstream tech news while enjoying insightful analysis with a dash of humor? Subscribe to our podcast, follow us on social media @TechTimeRadio, and visit techtimeradio.com to join our community of informed, engaged tech enthusiasts.

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Fejezetek

1. Show Introduction and Headlines (00:00:00)

2. Google's $425M Privacy Lawsuit (00:02:15)

3. Zuckerberg's Neighborhood Troubles (00:07:56)

4. Disney's $10M YouTube Kids Data Settlement (00:12:25)

5. Whiskey Tasting Segment (00:19:00)

6. Gadgets and Gear: Dash Cam Warning Signs (00:21:31)

7. Mike's Mesmerizing Moment: Lawsuit Culture (00:31:38)

8. Tech History: First Commercial Hard Drive (00:36:16)

9. Technology Fail: Duolingo's AI Controversy (00:42:33)

10. Nathan's Nugget: NFL Red Zone Commercials (00:48:53)

11. Whiskey Pick of the Day and Closing (00:53:22)