We begin with community feedback on AI art, exploring how prompting, creativity, and human intention intersect in this evolving medium.

Then we dive into the PHP2Shell emergency: two critical vulnerabilities (CVE‑2026‑109618 and CVE‑2026‑109619) affecting PHP’s session.upload_progress feature. These flaws allow unauthenticated remote code execution and forced an emergency patch release. We break down what happened, who’s affected, and what everyday users, site owners, and administrators need to do right now.

In our feature interview, we welcome Akarshan and Till Kamppeter from OOSC, founded by OpenPrinting’s Till Kamppeter and Aveek Basu. OOSC 4.0 brought together more than 500 developers, researchers, and students, and the team used Destination Linux as a framework for their streaming and event structure. We talk inspiration, challenges, community impact, and the future of OOSC.

Plus new patrons, merch shoutouts, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Boot up your favorite distro, fire up your terminal, and join us for another Linux adventure.

Timestamps
00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:36 Community Feedback
00:11:57 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:14:10 Introducing the Opportunity Open Source Conference
00:20:58 Growing OOSC From Meetup to Major Conference
00:34:03 Nicknames and Hats
00:38:55 From First-Time Contributor to Conference Organizer
00:54:01 Building a Conference With Open Source Tools
01:04:57 Modernizing Printers With Open Printing on Zephyr
01:08:08 OOSC 4.0’s Highlights and What’s Next
01:22:07 Critical PHP Vulnerabilities: PHP2Shell
01:33:08 Closing Thoughts

OOSC Link https://oosc.iiita.ac.in/

This is Destination Linux.

Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more!

OOSC Conference
https://oosc.iiita.ac.in/

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:36 Community Feedback
00:11:57 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:14:10 Introducing the Opportunity Open Source Conference
00:20:58 Growing OOSC From Meetup to Major Conference
00:34:03 Nicknames and Hats
00:38:55 From First-Time Contributor to Conference Organizer
00:54:01 Building a Conference With Open Source Tools
01:04:57 Modernizing Printers With Open Printing on Zephyr
01:08:08 OOSC 4.0’s Highlights and What’s Next
01:22:07 Critical PHP Vulnerabilities: PHP2Shell
01:33:08 Closing Thoughts

Linux #opensource #FOSS #podcast #security #privacy #AI #redhat #ubuntu #suse #opensuse #debian #SteamOS

Jill announces upcoming Destination Linux community game streams, featuring Jackbox, Golf With Your Friends, Serious Sam, and more - all streamed on Twitch and the platform with the big red button.

Zeb covers three major news stories shaking the tech world:

• Linus Torvalds using AI/LLMs to decipher complex kernel patches

• A Discord data breach affecting millions

• Denmark’s unbelievable “123456” password incident exposing 88 million records

Jill wraps up with a deep dive into F‑Droid 2.0, the largest overhaul of the privacy‑centric Android app store in nearly a decade - featuring a modern UI, expanded search, automatic background updates, and Jetpack Compose redesign.

Plus, we highlight new Patrons, community feedback, and plenty of laughs along the way.

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:43 Community Feedback
00:10:11 Live Stream Announcements
00:13:46 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:15:14 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:18:15 Easy Anti-Cheat Rebuilds Linux Support
00:28:22 Epic Games Store Arrives on Linux
00:37:37 Steam Frame: VR Gaming on Linux
00:50:48 Self-Hosted Writing Help with LanguageTool
00:56:18 Linus Torvalds Uses AI to Review Code
00:59:15 New Discord Data Breach
01:02:27 Denmark's Central Person Register Breached
01:06:30 Closing Thoughts (and Kitty!)

Boot up your favorite distro, fire up your terminal, and join us for another Linux adventure!

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

We kick things off with heartfelt community feedback from O.C. Supertoner, followed by a lively discussion about AI‑generated code and whether Linux users should embrace or reject LLM‑assisted development. Rocco shares his thoughts on the new Hylki email client for GNOME and the growing debate around AI contributions in open‑source projects.

Zeb covers the end of the Orion browser for Linux and the implications of Kagi open‑sourcing its codebase. He also dives into the Netherlands’ bold move to adopt a Nix‑based government desktop after sanctions disrupted ICC access to Microsoft services, plus Amazon blocking Meta’s AI shopping agent.

It’s a fun, fast‑moving episode full of laughs, insights, and the open‑source passion that makes Destination Linux feel like home.

About The Show
Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more!

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:50 Community Feedback
00:09:15 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:10:31 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:12:32 Hylki Email Client
00:44:07 Orion Browser for Linux Discontinued
00:50:38 Dutch Government Goes Nix
00:58:34 Amazon Blocks Meta's AI From Store
01:00:23 Closing Thoughts

Linux #opensource #FOSS #podcast #security #privacy #AI #redhat #ubuntu #suse #opensuse #debian #SteamOS

We dive into the upcoming Thundermail web client, Thunderbird’s modernization efforts, community building, privacy, security, and the philosophy behind empowering users through open‑source tools. Ryan discusses data portability and rclone, Zeb brings his signature wit, and Jill leads the conversation with warmth and enthusiasm.

This episode ran long - in the best way - because the conversation with Monica was simply too good to cut short.

TimeStamps

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:44 Patron Hangout Stories
00:06:58 Community Feedback
00:17:00 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:18:27 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:19:40 Monica’s Linux Journey
00:33:22 Building An Open Source Community
00:39:13 Working on Ubuntu MATE
00:54:44 Thunderbird’s New Chapter
01:00:37 Introducing Thundermail
01:18:48 Privacy, Encryption, and Defaults
01:27:18 Future Plans and Outreach
01:29:16 Jill's Treasure Hunt: Monica
01:46:25 Closing Thoughts

About The Show

Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long‑time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in‑depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more.

Destination Linux website [https://deviantairwaves.com]
Become a Patron [https://patreon.com/destinationlinux]
Buy Me a Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux]

Merch [https://shop.deviantairwaves.com]

EFF x Destination Linux [https://eff.org/destinationlinux]

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

linux #opensource #FOSS #podcast #security #privacy #AI #redhat #ubuntu #suse #opensuse #debian #SteamOS

Jill highlights major updates in OpenRGB, including expanded support for GPUs, keyboards, motherboards, and more. Zeb covers Peppermint OS shifting from X.Org to XLibre, Ubuntu 26.10 unexpectedly adopting the Linux 7.3 kernel, and MX Linux’s forum being hit with a massive DDoS attack. Plus community feedback, Sandfly Security, and closing thoughts from the DL crew.

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:03:19 Community Feedback
00:15:54 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:18:21 Cold Incident Response Conference
00:24:07 Linux Malware Trends
00:35:09 IoT Rootkit Risks
00:40:08 OpenRGB Adds Support for New Hardware
00:53:19 Peppermint OS Moving to XLibre
00:56:38 Ubuntu 26.10 to use Linux 7.3 Kernel
01:00:22 MX Linux Forums Suffer DDoS Attack
01:06:33 Closing Thoughts

Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long‑time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in‑depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more.

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

Special Guest: Craig Rowland.

Is it just me, or has everything gone to hell? It began with the endless, uncontrolled data collection and monitoring by social platforms and phone apps. Most everyday users shrugged it off and said, “You’re being paranoid,” or “They already have everything anyway, so what does it matter?” Then the government stepped in and pushed the problem further. Privacy and security advocates warned this would happen, and sure enough, law‑enforcement agencies found ways to use data from private companies without traditional warrants. If police want to learn everything about you, they can often skip due process and simply purchase it from a data broker. That bypass of buying location or other personal data instead of obtaining a court order, has been documented in multiple investigations.

Then came the fear argument: we must stop terrorists, murderers, and rapists, so we need back doors. Back doors into phones, operating systems, and any electronic device, “for your safety.” Privacy and security experts warned again that back doors are not just for the so‑called good guys. The consequences were predictable: data breaches happen every day, exposing Social Security numbers, names, birthdays, bank accounts, and intimate personal details that are then sold on black markets. Recent large incidents and ongoing breaches show how fragile the ecosystem is and how quickly personal data can be weaponized.

The rise of data brokers made things worse. It wasn’t enough to collect and sell stolen data; now companies compile and monetize comprehensive dossiers on ordinary people. Want to stalk someone? Pay a fee and a broker will give you a person’s life history, addresses, moves, associates with often little to no oversight. Investigations have exposed how widely available and detailed these profiles can be.

Still not satisfied, surveillance expanded into public spaces. We already had cameras on many corners and in stores; now we have AI‑powered license‑plate readers and facial‑recognition systems. Companies selling these tools argue they reduce crime, and some municipalities have adopted them. Then came proposals and deployments of drones to follow people suspected of crimes. This combination of constant cameras, automated identification, and aerial tracking…was ripe for abuse. The 24/7 news cycle and public fear often drown out civil‑liberties concerns, and many people trade privacy for a feeling of safety. The result has been real harm: false identifications, wrongful detentions, families held at gunpoint because officers misinterpreted automated data, and documented cases of officers using surveillance tools to stalk former partners.

The latest escalation is political: restrictions on press access and the weaponization of information channels. When state actors limit which news organizations can cover official events, it should alarm everyone, yet many shrug because the current administration’s policies seem to favor them or their beliefs. That’s the danger: presidencies and administrations change, and tools that feel protective under one government can be turned against dissenting beliefs under the next. You think a specific news is fake, but the next administration will think your favorite news is fake. This is not a partisan problem; it’s a structural one. Our forebears fought to escape precisely this kind of concentrated power and surveillance. But we, distracted by social media and a nonstop news cycle, have allowed our civic attention to fracture. We’re so angry all the time that we forget what we’re even angry about. We cut ties with friends and family for not agreeing exactly with us, and we throw around labels until the words lose meaning.

We’ve lost our path and our moral compass, in doing so we lost the desire to find a middle ground. It’s become “me, me, me”: what I want, what I believe, what I think is right. Meanwhile, governments and big tech exploit that distraction and division to disorient us into inaction. You might write an angry post online, but you won’t protest in the streets,because protesting itself is being constrained. Officers who should not be policing speech are arresting people who speak out in public forums. Automated camera systems identify and track protesters so they can be targeted and removed. And now, with proposals for ID verification framed as “protecting children” or “preventing terrorism,” anonymity online is under threat too…so even the last refuge for dissent, anonymous speech on social platforms, could be closed off.

They’ve cornered the country: surveillance, data monetization, shrinking public space, and limits on anonymous speech. The only remaining check is the ballot box, but even voting is being strained, through disinformation, gerrymandering, and the overload of issues that exhaust civic energy. They’ve overburdened you with so many things to fear and care about that you no longer know where to direct your anger, if you have any energy left to direct at all.

It’s time to stop the name‑calling and the cult‑like, all‑or‑nothing political behavior we’ve developed. Our rights and freedoms are being stripped under both parties, and every administration change seems to make things worse. We’re approaching a point where recourse will be limited, if we keep viewing everything as black and white and refuse to seek middle ground, that unreasonableness will be used to deliver the final blow to our democracy. It’s almost over if we don’t act.

You didn’t listen before. Will you listen now?

• EFF Investigations On Flock Abuse

• Dozens of Innocent Motorists Have Been Pulled Over, Detained at Gunpoint, or Jailed Due to AI License Plate Camera Errors

• Police misuse and stalking allegations involving Flock data

• Flock Safety tracking protesters and public dissent

• Arrested During Public Meeting

Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more!

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:08 Community Feedback
00:12:39 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:14:36 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:15:52 AI Risks and Ten-Year Warnings
00:30:29 Open Source as a Safeguard
00:39:21 AI’s Real-World Benefits
00:48:19 Steam Frame Revealed
01:07:59 Plex Patch Problems
01:16:19 Sound You Can Feel
01:19:31 Closing Thoughts

Linux #opensource #FOSS #podcast #security #privacy #AI #redhat #ubuntu #suse #opensuse #debian #SteamOS

We also dive into a packed set of topics that feel straight out of a doomsday‑style thriller: companies deleting your data instead of providing it, Switzerland attempting to break free from Microsoft’s gravitational pull, and Comcast rolling out motion‑sensing routers with serious privacy implications. Plus community feedback on Discord alternatives, open‑source wins, and more.

Below are the timestamps for this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:00 Community Feedback
00:10:58 Open Source Donation Poll Results
00:17:48 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:20:53 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:25:56 Jill's Treasure Hunt: A Surprise Gift
00:51:50 Privacy Act Put to the Test
01:02:03 Switzerland Ditches Microsoft
01:07:39 Comcast's Motion-Sensing Routers
01:13:12 Closing Thoughts

About The Show:
Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more!

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

Linux #opensource #FOSS #podcast #security #privacy #AI #redhat #ubuntu #suse #opensuse #debian #SteamOS

The allure of the Kroger Plus card, or any similar frequent shopper program, is a powerful one: immediate savings at the checkout, discounts on fuel, and personalized coupons. However, what consumers gain in nickel-and-dime savings, they forfeit in a priceless currency: privacy. These cards are not merely discount tools; they are sophisticated data collection mechanisms that paint an unnervingly detailed portrait of your life.

The Central Intelligence Unit: Who is 84.51°?

At the core of this vast surveillance system is Kroger’s wholly-owned subsidiary, 84.51°. This is not a quaint corporate offshoot; it is a full-scale retail data science, insights, and media company. Its fundamental purpose is to harvest, analyze, and monetize the data generated by the 62 million-plus U.S. households that use the Kroger Plus card.

84.51° acts as the retailer’s central intelligence unit, transforming raw transaction logs into granular consumer profiles and then selling the “insights” to other corporations.

84.51° Function Privacy Implication 84.51° Insights Creates hyper-detailed profiles of shopping habits, allowing partners to infer sensitive personal details (e.g., family size, health issues) for targeted marketing. 84.51° Loyalty Marketing Uses data to personalize offers, reinforcing the data-sharing cycle by providing incentives only to profiled users. Kroger Precision Marketing A retail media solution that sells ad space directly to Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) companies, promising them direct access to shoppers based on their established purchase history.

In short, Kroger is increasingly becoming a data company that operates grocery stores, with 84.51° being the engine that turns your shopping cart contents into a new, highly lucrative revenue stream.

The threat to privacy extends beyond the physical loyalty card. Retailers have developed multiple frictionless ways to link your purchases to your identity, often with minimal consumer awareness.

1. The Phone Number at Checkout
   When a cashier asks for your phone number to look up your “account,” you are giving them the universal key to your digital dossier. Even if you do not carry the physical card, this number instantly ties your entire current shopping basket to your name, address, email, and historical purchases. This is a common practice used to:

• Track “Loyal” Non-Card Users: It ensures that every discount-seeking shopper contributes to the profile database.

• Facilitate Cross-Platform Tracking: The phone number can be matched against databases from data brokers or social media companies to link your in-store purchases with your online browsing and app usage.

1. Payment Card “Anonymization”
   Even if you forgo a loyalty card, many stores track debit and credit card transaction data. While the store may not immediately link the card number to your name, they can still:

• Track Spending Habits: They can track how much you spend and how frequently you visit, building a profile on a “known customer identifier” that can be used to measure the success of promotions and predict when you might stop shopping.

• Combine Data: They can contract with data analysis firms to aggregate and analyze these payment card transactions, often for purposes like deciding on new store locations or validating their internal models.

The choice is clear: The small discount at checkout is a Trojan Horse. By embracing the convenience of a shopper card or providing your phone number, you grant a massive corporation the permission to track your most mundane and most intimate purchasing decisions, with that data feeding into a billion-dollar data-brokering ecosystem. The cost of “savings” is the loss of your retail anonymity.

What Are The Solutions

Great but you still want your discount right? So what is the solution?

This can be difficult but not impossible to bypass, there are many people who enter random numbers, or even numbers from songs and area code and 867-5309. I’ve also heard with places like Kroger you can request a new card each time and to not hold up the line they hand you a card and ask you to fill out information later.

The best thing to do is shop somewhere else but that’s not always an option in small towns or rural areas. One thing to do is never provide real information, instead provide fake names, a burner phone number, and fake e-mails or proxy e-mails that you can disable.

Older generations often view a preference for digital interaction as a disconnect from the "real world." But this shift isn't an abnormality; it's a rational response to a world where traditional public spaces have become increasingly monitored, restricted, and policed. Simple acts of youth—skateboarding, hanging out in a park, or just loitering with friends—can now be treated with suspicion or even as offenses. In this environment, the digital world offers a refuge—a place to connect, explore, and express oneself without the immediate fear of physical harassment.

This taste of freedom is powerful, even addictive. While radio and television once offered a window to the world, the internet provides a door. It’s a global society where you can be anonymous or known, where you can learn from billions of people, and witness the full spectrum of human creativity and consciousness. Or, at least, that’s what it was designed to be.

Like all freedoms, this one is fragile and slowly slipping away. The trade is familiar: we are asked to sacrifice our privacy and autonomy for a promise of security. Mass surveillance of our emails, messages, location, and online activity has been normalized, sold to us as necessary for safety. This monitoring is championed by corporations and governments who have weaponized our fear to gain unprecedented control over the digital landscape.

The result? A dangerous complacency. Many bury their heads in the sand with the mantra, "I have nothing to hide." But this ignores a critical truth: privacy isn't about hiding wrongdoings; it's about protecting the right to have a life free from unwarranted scrutiny. We have strong laws protecting the privacy of our physical mail. If a company hired people to open our letters, it would be a scandal. Yet, we accept that our digital correspondence—which contains our most sensitive information—is routinely scanned, analyzed, and sold. The law has failed to keep pace with technology, and our rights have evaporated in the process.

This is why we must recognize the internet for what it is: the modern public square. It is where we meet, protest, organize, and share ideas. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok have become the de facto town halls of our era. However, this square is now owned by private corporations—monopolies with more power and personal data than any government agency could have once dreamed of.

The threat is no longer just surveillance, but silencing. The anonymity that once protected dissenting voices is being eroded. It's now easy to connect an online profile to a real person, making them vulnerable to intimidation, job loss, and worse. The same tactics used to quell physical protests are now deployed online, chilling free speech and assembly through the threat of real-world consequences.

A common counter-argument is that unfettered freedom also protects bad actors: trolls, bigots, and purveyors of misinformation. This is the ugly truth of liberty. But the solution to hateful speech is not less freedom for everyone; it is more speech, better tools, and resilient communities.

So, what is the path forward?

Embrace User Empowerment, Not Top-Down Censorship: The answer isn't to let corporations or governments be the sole arbiters of truth. Instead, we should champion platforms and tools that give users control—powerful filters, community moderation, and transparent algorithms. The choice of what to see and engage with should belong to the individual.

Update Laws for the Digital Age: Existing laws against threats, harassment, and incitement to violence must be robustly enforced online. We don't need new, broad speech police; we need to apply our longstanding legal principles to the digital realm.

Reject the Illusion of Corporate Morality: We cannot outsource our moral compass to for-profit companies. Corporations that prioritize access to markets over human rights are not fit to be the guardians of our public discourse. Their interest will always be shareholders, not society. Just see how quickly the corporations who seem to be your friends buckled the instant administrations change. They're not your friend and they don't like you. They just want your money.

Recognize the Propaganda War: State-sponsored disinformation campaigns are a real threat, designed to sow chaos and distrust. A healthier, more decentralized internet—with many smaller, federated platforms—is more resilient to this manipulation than a few massive, centralized networks.

As I said at the start, there is no perfect answer. I don't claim my answers a The balance between safety and liberty is delicate. But history shows us that progress often comes from unpopular ideas. The voices against slavery, for women's suffrage, and for workers' rights were once the silenced minority. If today's tools of control existed then, the very champions of justice would have been "canceled."

We must choose the harder, better path: to defend the principle of a free and open internet, even when it is messy and uncomfortable. We must evolve as a global society to handle this new landscape with critical thinking, empathy, and resilience. Our freedom—to connect, to learn, to protest, and to simply be—depends on it.

We also welcome Red Hat VP Mike McGrath for an in‑depth conversation about Lightwell - a new approach to simplifying modern infrastructure, improving predictability, and supporting open source ecosystems at scale. Mike shares insights on AI’s rapid rise, open source economics, partnerships with industry heavyweights, and how Lightwell helps developers, sysadmins, and researchers in real‑world environments.

Along the way, we cover Session chat updates, website security improvements, and reflect on the origins of Destination Linux with Rocco. We wrap with a fun lightning round.

Below are the full timestamps for this episode:

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:22 Community Feedback
00:06:44 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:08:14 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:10:37 Session Chat and Website Security
00:16:23 Rocco and the Origins of Destination Linux
00:28:31 Meet Mike McGrath
00:32:28 AI’s Rapid Rise
00:41:00 Open Source Economics
00:47:47 Introducing Lightwell
00:49:55 Why Lightwell Exists
00:53:15 Predictable Security at Scale
00:56:59 Keeping It Simple for Developers
01:00:43 Real-World Security Scenarios
01:02:47 Palo Alto Networks Partnership
01:05:47 What Lightwell Does
01:09:58 Helping Researchers
01:12:40 Getting Started with Lightwell
01:13:45 Roadmap and New Ecosystems
01:17:19 The Lightning Round
01:21:57 Closing Thoughts

Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more.

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=yt-description

We explore the realities of surveillance, motion‑sensing routers with privacy tradeoffs, and Craig’s full breakdown of the chaos and hype coming out of Black Hat - including agentic AI, guardrails that don’t guard anything, and the growing divide between restricted AI and open‑weight models. Craig also covers the Cold Incident Response Conference, AI‑powered threat detection, and a Bitcoin RNG hack that proves why dice still matter.

Jill celebrates Linux’s 35th birthday and Valve’s 30th anniversary with a look back at the milestones that shaped open source, gaming, and the Linux desktop.

Below are the full timestamps for this episode.

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:04 Community Feedback
00:18:28 Destination Linux Session Server
00:22:24 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:24:16 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:25:45 Black Hat Agentic AI Hype
00:38:01 AI Guardrails Fall Short
00:52:13 Linux Turns 35
01:04:25 Valve Turns 30
01:16:00 Closing Thoughts

About the show:
Destination Linux is a weekly show where Ryan, Jill, and guests share their passion for Linux and Open Source. Destination Linux is a show for all experience levels, whether you’re a beginner to Linux and Open Source or a long time user, this is the podcast for you. Destination Linux covers a wide range of topics from the latest news, discussions on Linux and Open Source, Linux distributions, Linux applications, security, privacy, AI, gaming on Linux, and unique in-depth interviews with Linux developers and leaders and much more.

Destination Linux website
https://deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
https://shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
https://eff.org/destinationlinux

Sandfly Security
https://sandfly.com/?utm_source=destinationlinux&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=player-page

We're joined by Craig Rowland of Sandfly Security https://deviantairwaves.com/sandflysecurity

Special Guest: Craig Rowland.

We celebrate Debian’s 33rd birthday, look at Discord’s newly increased upload limits, explore the lightweight MarkLite Markdown editor, and dive into one of Jill’s favorite new features in Linux Kernel 7.2: USB4STREAM, a retro‑cool way to transfer data directly between machines.

Ryan covers the growing conflict between GrapheneOS and Fairphone, examining what it means for privacy, repairability, and secure mobile devices.

Links From the Show
Sandfly Security – https://deviantairwaves.com/sandfly

Destination Linux Patreon – https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Destination Linux Store – https://shop.deviantairwaves.com/

EFF x Destination Linux – https://www.eff.org/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee – https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Linux Kernel USB4STREAM – https://itsfoss.com/news/linux-usb4stream-protocol/
Linux Kernel USB4STREAM – https://www.phoronix.com/news/USB4STREAM-In-Linux-7.2
Debian 33rd Birthday – https://www.phoronix.com/news/Debian-33-Birthday

Debian Announcement Archive – https://wiki.debian.org/DebianHistory?action=AttachFile&do=get&target=Debian-announcement-1993.txt

Discord Upload Limit Update – https://alternativeto.net/news/2026/8/discord-doubles-free-upload-limit-to-20mb-and-unifies-size-checks/

MarkLite 1.1.0 Release – https://mikechilson.com/blog/MarkLite-1.1.0-Released

GrapheneOS vs Fairphone Discussion – https://nitter.net/GrapheneOS/status/2040887784253141142
GrapheneOS vs Fairphone Discussion – https://clubic.com/actualite-604786-murena-e-os-interview.html
GrapheneOS vs /e/OS Analysis – https://codeberg.org/divested-mobile/divestos-website/raw/commit/c7447de50bc8fadd20a30d4cbf1dcd8cf14805a0/static/misc/e.txt
Android Comparison – https://eylenburg.github.io/android_comparison.htm
GrapheneOS Device Discussion – https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/24134-device

*Timestamps: *

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:23 Jill Goes to Vegas
00:23:54 Community Feedback
00:27:59 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:29:48 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:31:48 USB4STREAM Arrives
00:36:49 Debian Turns Thirty-Three
00:44:52 Discord Loosens Upload Limits
00:51:30 Lightweight Markdown Editing
00:56:31 GrapheneOS Versus Fairphone
01:12:18 Closing Thoughts

We examine how systems like Flock Safety cameras are forming a private nationwide tracking grid, how multiple industries are integrating this data, and how governments are pushing OS‑level identity verification that could fundamentally reshape how Linux systems operate. We break down how these systems work, how they’re already being abused, and why they conflict with open‑source values.

We also cover community feedback, kernel fixes, Calibre updates, SparkyLinux’s return to 32‑bit support, and Mathieu’s topic on the decline of LUGs and the future of Linux community education.

Destination Linux website
deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
eff.org/destinationlinux

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:13 Community Feedback
00:20:20 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:21:53 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:22:53 Flock Cameras and Surveillance Creep
00:44:42 Linux 7.2-rc7 Fixes "Nasty" Race Condition
00:55:05 Calibre 9.13 Released
01:00:53 SparkyLinux Revives 32-Bit Support
01:06:08 Linux User Groups Fade Away
01:19:22 Packaging Software for Linux
01:34:27 Closing Thoughts

References From Show:
Linux Kernel Race Condition Fix – https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-7.2-rc7-UAF-PTDUMP
Calibre 9.13 Update – https://linuxiac.com/calibre-9-13-e-book-manager-arrives-with-a-batch-of-bug-fixes/
SparkyLinux 8.4 Release – https://linuxiac.com/sparkylinux-8-4-brings-back-32-bit-support-for-older-pcs/
Packaging Blog – https://getfresh.dev/docs/blog/packaging-for-linux/

Linux #opensource #FOSS #podcast #security #privacy #AI #redhat #ubuntu #suse #opensuse #debian #SteamOS

Support The Show
Sandfly Security – https://deviantairwaves.com/sandfly

Destination Linux Patreon – https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Destination Linux Store – https://shop.deviantairwaves.com/

EFF x Destination Linux – https://www.eff.org/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee – https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

*Timestamps: *

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:23 Community Feedback
00:06:49 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:08:41 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:11:36 Arch AUR Attack Continues
00:34:44 Microsoft Tracking Clarified
00:43:42 Jellyfin Leadership Shakeup
00:56:56 Cinnamon Wayland Support Ready for 6.8
01:08:36 Closing Thoughts

Destination Linux website
deviantairwaves.com

Become a Patron
patreon.com/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee
buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Merch
shop.deviantairwaves.com

EFF x Destination Linux
eff.org/destinationlinux

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:51 Community Feedback
00:14:15 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:15:50 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:17:31 Interview with Till Kamppeter of Open Printing
00:18:18 Printing's Biggest Anti-Consumer Practices
00:23:12 Recreating Office Space
00:26:30 Printers as Ink Cartridge Packaging
00:28:28 Printer Ownership vs. Subscription Models
00:33:02 Commercial Printing Growing as Consumer Printing Shrinks
00:34:00 Subscriptions Spreading to Other Electronics
00:35:39 Current Printer Driver Situation
00:41:52 Printer Recommendations
00:48:49 The Open Printer
00:57:38 Framework Should Build a Printer
01:05:11 Anthropic's Huge Copyright Settlement
01:11:42 The Windows Global Device Identifier
01:18:10 GrapheneOS Duress PIN
01:28:29 Closing Thoughts

We cover what Canonical Academy is, who it’s for, how the curriculum works, what makes it unique, how it supports beginners, and how learners can get started. Whether you’re a newcomer, a sysadmin, a homelabber, or just Linux‑curious, this episode is packed with insights, fun moments, and a lightning round you won’t want to miss.

Support The Show
Sandfly Security: https://deviantairwaves.com/sandfly

Destination Linux Patreon: https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Destination Linux Store: https://shop.deviantairwaves.com/

EFF x Destination Linux: https://www.eff.org/destinationlinux

Buy Me a Coffee – Destination Linux: https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

Get 20% off Canonical Academy with code: DESTINATIONLINUX2026

Timestamps
00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:03:01 Community Feedback
00:09:43 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:11:21 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:12:42 Canonical Academy Interview
00:13:32 What Canonical Academy Is
00:18:40 Who Canonical Academy Is For
00:25:23 Inside the Curriculum
00:41:18 What Sets It Apart
00:46:31 Making It Less Intimidating
00:51:05 Public Beta And Other Surprises
00:54:20 How to Get Started
00:58:14 Career Paths In Linux
01:02:45 Real Environments In Exams
01:04:04 Lightning Round
01:17:36 Closing Thoughts

We kick things off with community feedback about resurrecting old hardware with Linux Mint, then dive into how a persistent Windows device ID helped investigators identify a ransomware operator despite VPNs and IP hopping. We explore a new PyPI supply‑chain attack, discuss whether open source can keep up in the age of AI, celebrate the re‑release of GIMP 0.54, and even talk a little Palworld.

Grab your favorite Pal and your Pal Spheres, this isn’t Pokémon, but you’ll want to collect every moment of this episode.

Stop breaking your own servers. Go to deviantairwaves.com/sandfly to see how agentless security actually respects your uptime.

And for the home lab warriors out there, you can secure your own fortress with the Sandfly Home Edition. Use the code DESTINATION50 for 50% off right now. That’s $50 for the first YEAR!

That's deviantairwaves.com/sandfly. Go get your uptime back.

Support the show:
Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

Get Some Swap: https://shop.deviantairwaves.com/

Support EFF: https://www.eff.org/destinationlinux

One Time Donation: https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

00:00:00 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:01:19 Community Feedback
00:08:12 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:14:09 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:18:05 Malware Operator Caught with Persistent Windows ID
00:34:33 PyPI Supply Chain Attack
00:37:39 Akrites Initiative Launched
00:57:07 GIMP 0.54 Released...Again!
01:04:33 Palworld is Fun
01:08:13 Closing Thoughts

Special Guest: Craig Rowland.

Then we tackle the big story everyone's talking about: Sony is going full digital-only, no more physical game discs. But the scarier headline is that Sony has already started removing movies people purchased from their libraries with no refund and no warning. Ryan breaks down what this means for digital ownership, why DRM is a trap, and why platforms like GOG and Itch.io are the real answer.

Jill brings the good news: SteamOS 3.8 is now officially available for installation on standard home PCs with AMD GPUs. With 132 million monthly Steam users, this might be the biggest mainstream moment Linux gaming has ever had. The year of the Linux desktop might just be the year SteamOS goes everywhere.

Zeb covers ClamAV 1.5.3 and why it still matters (and when it doesn't), KDE Plasma 6.8's long-overdue multi-monitor improvements, and why that headline claiming Windows dropped below 60% market share deserves a serious side-eye.

Sponsored by Sandfly 100% agentless Linux security. No agents, no kernel panics, no excuses. Sandfly Home Edition. deviantairwaves.com/sandfly

Support the show: Patreon: patreon.com/destinationlinux
Buy Me a Coffee: buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux
Store: shop.deviantairwaves.com
EFF x Destination Linux: eff.org/destinationlinux

Jason shares the origin story of the EFF, how the organization is structured, and the biggest battles it’s fighting today, from digital ID verification laws to global censorship and data privacy threats. We explore how the EFF fights back, how listeners can get involved, and what the future of digital rights looks like if surveillance laws continue to expand.

Plus, we have community feedback from a blind Linux user discussing accessibility challenges, updates from Sandfly Security, and our usual mix of open‑source news and humor.

Join us for this historic conversation about the fight for privacy, freedom, and the open internet.

Learn more and support the EFF: https://www.eff.org/destinationlinux

Don't forget to check out our amazing sponsor: Sandfly https://deviantairwaves.com/sandfly

Get the Resist T-Shirt by going to: https://shop.deviantairwaves.com/

• Patreon: https://patreon.com/destinationlinux

• Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/destinationlinux

00:00:09 Welcome to Destination Linux
00:02:25 Community Feedback
00:15:33 Sponsored by Sandfly Security
00:17:55 Thanks to Our Supporters
00:22:43 What the EFF Does and How It Started
00:41:52 Jason’s EFF Origin
00:51:18 How the EFF Is Organized
01:01:31 How the EFF Fights Back
01:07:55 The Biggest Issues the EFF Is Fighting
01:18:40 Digital ID Future Fears
01:25:31 Who Is Behind the Push for ID Verification
01:36:03 Privacy and Censorship
01:44:10 The EFF's Strategy Against ID Verification Laws
01:52:04 Global Digital Rights Network
01:57:40 How Listeners Can Help
02:05:20 Lightning Round
02:10:30 Closing Thoughts