Ep 4. Activists vs. The Surveillance State

In season 2 episode 4 of Cyberwar, titled "Activists vs. The Surveillance State," viewers are provided with a riveting look at the battle between governments and citizens when it comes to tight surveillance measures. The episode explores how activists and hackers are attempting to use technology to their advantage and challenge the governments that have seemingly endless resources and capabilities.

The first half of the episode focuses on the efforts of Brazilian activists, who are trying to stop the government's proposed surveillance bill - a bill that would give authorities sweeping power to monitor and read private messages on platforms like Whatsapp. The activists know that the bill could seriously infringe upon the privacy rights of ordinary citizens and could easily be abused by authorities.

Viewers are given a glimpse into the intense cyberwarfare occurring between the activists and the Brazilian government. The activists are utilizing innovative technologies such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and encryption methods to try and prevent the government from accessing their communications. The government, meanwhile, is using its own technological capabilities to try and intercept and block these encrypted communications.

The second part of the episode takes a look at the surveillance state in the United States and how citizens are pushing back. With revelations about the NSA's surveillance programs and the Edward Snowden leaks, there has been a growing sense of unease and hostility towards government surveillance among Americans.

The episode explores the grassroots efforts of privacy activists who are using technology to challenge surveillance measures and inform fellow citizens about the dangers of government monitoring. Through interviews and profiles of different activists and organizations, viewers are exposed to the variety of strategies and tactics being utilized by people across the country; from using Tor and other encrypted communication tools to lobbying lawmakers and organizing protests.

Throughout the episode, a clear picture emerges: that the battle against surveillance is a constant and ever-evolving struggle. Governments and authorities will always try to push their surveillance powers to new limits, and it is up to citizens to push back with their own technological innovations and activism. In the end, the episode leaves viewers with the impression that the fight for privacy is not just a political or technological issue, but a moral and ethical one as well.