Lily Hay Newman
@lhn.bsky.social
Security reporter for WIRED Magazine. she/her/my man. Signal +1 (347) 722-1347
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
2015: oh well they probably have my social security number already
2025: oh well they probably have root at the Pentagon already
2025: oh well they probably have root at the Pentagon already
The Government Shutdown Is a Ticking Cybersecurity Time Bomb
Many critical systems are still being maintained, and the cloud provides some security cover. But experts say that any lapses in protections like patching and monitoring could expose government system...
www.wired.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
2015: oh well they probably have my social security number already
2025: oh well they probably have root at the Pentagon already
2025: oh well they probably have root at the Pentagon already
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
NEW: Experts say that any lags in protections like security updates and network monitoring caused by the government shutdown could lay the groundwork for future breaches. @lhn.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/the-go...
The Government Shutdown Is a Ticking Cybersecurity Time Bomb
Many critical systems are still being maintained, and the cloud provides some security cover. But experts say that any lapses in protections like patching and monitoring could expose government system...
www.wired.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:38 PM
NEW: Experts say that any lags in protections like security updates and network monitoring caused by the government shutdown could lay the groundwork for future breaches. @lhn.bsky.social reports: www.wired.com/story/the-go...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
A statement from Wired's Conde Union Members
November 6, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A statement from Wired's Conde Union Members
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
here is my story about how Zohran's focus on community amid the loneliness epidemic helped young people connect their politics to an organizing infrastructure, that interviewed ZM, and does not use the NYT's framing of "they don't know how to make friends" :-) and also ran 4 days before NYT's lol
Zohran Mamdani's Establishment-Fighting Campaign Built Community for Young People
“What Mamdani has done is not only inspire and mobilize young people, but he has exposed the establishment and some of their calcified views of participation and inclusion.”
www.teenvogue.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:14 PM
here is my story about how Zohran's focus on community amid the loneliness epidemic helped young people connect their politics to an organizing infrastructure, that interviewed ZM, and does not use the NYT's framing of "they don't know how to make friends" :-) and also ran 4 days before NYT's lol
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
New: The FBI is quietly urging ICE agents to properly ID themselves in the field.
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
FBI Warns of Criminals Posing as ICE, Urges Agents to ID Themselves
In a bulletin to law enforcement agencies, the FBI said criminal impersonators are exploiting ICE’s image and urged nationwide coordination to distinguish real operations from fakes.
www.wired.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:34 PM
New: The FBI is quietly urging ICE agents to properly ID themselves in the field.
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
In a bulletin to law enforcement last month, it warned of criminals posing as ICE to rob, rape, kidnap—a problem it says now demands national coordination to confront.
By me & @carolinehaskins.bsky.social:
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Actual Tolkien nerd @johnsemley3000.bsky.social went deep on how poorly Elon Musk, MAGA, and other right-wing tech bros understand the Lord of the Rings. And can we all just admire this art by @anjalinair.bsky.social: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk Really Doesn't Get 'The Lord of the Rings'
Musk has recently used Tolkien references to push anti-immigration messaging, as has the Department of Homeland security. They've got it all backwards.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Actual Tolkien nerd @johnsemley3000.bsky.social went deep on how poorly Elon Musk, MAGA, and other right-wing tech bros understand the Lord of the Rings. And can we all just admire this art by @anjalinair.bsky.social: www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
NEW: I had a very interesting talk with Guillermo del Toro about Frankenstein, AI, tech bros, and whether Mary Shelley really kept Percy Bysshe Shelley's charred heart after he died.
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Guillermo del Toro Hopes He’s Dead Before AI Art Goes Mainstream
The “Frankenstein” director tells WIRED the real Victor Frankensteins are tyrannical politicians and Silicon Valley tech bros.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM
NEW: I had a very interesting talk with Guillermo del Toro about Frankenstein, AI, tech bros, and whether Mary Shelley really kept Percy Bysshe Shelley's charred heart after he died.
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Also, GDT says he hopes to start shooting 'The Buried Giant' next year. (!!!)
www.wired.com/story/guille...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
New with @lhn.bsky.social:
Thousands of people who applied for jobs with the Democrats in the US House of Representatives have had their data exposed online—including hundreds with "top secret" clearance
Officials say they have launched an investigation into the data exposure
Thousands of people who applied for jobs with the Democrats in the US House of Representatives have had their data exposed online—including hundreds with "top secret" clearance
Officials say they have launched an investigation into the data exposure
Hundreds of People With ‘Top Secret’ Clearance Exposed by House Democrats’ Website
A database containing information on people who applied for jobs with Democrats in the US House of Representatives was left accessible on the open web.
www.wired.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:56 AM
New with @lhn.bsky.social:
Thousands of people who applied for jobs with the Democrats in the US House of Representatives have had their data exposed online—including hundreds with "top secret" clearance
Officials say they have launched an investigation into the data exposure
Thousands of people who applied for jobs with the Democrats in the US House of Representatives have had their data exposed online—including hundreds with "top secret" clearance
Officials say they have launched an investigation into the data exposure
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
I wrote some words for this.weekinsecurity.com about the security and privacy risks with AI browsers, like Perplexity's Comet and OpenAI's ChatGPT Atlas, and why they should really come with enormous warning labels: "⚠️ Use at your own risk! ⚠️"
AI browsers are a hot mess of security risks
AI-enabled web browsers are putting their users' data, security, and privacy at risk from rudimentary prompt injection attacks.
this.weekinsecurity.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
I wrote some words for this.weekinsecurity.com about the security and privacy risks with AI browsers, like Perplexity's Comet and OpenAI's ChatGPT Atlas, and why they should really come with enormous warning labels: "⚠️ Use at your own risk! ⚠️"
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
NEW: DHS is asking companies to submit plans to turn standard 4x4 trucks into AI-powered watchtowers—combining radar, cameras, and autonomous tracking to extend surveillance on demand.
by me @ wired:
by me @ wired:
DHS Wants a Fleet of AI-Powered Surveillance Trucks
US border patrol is asking companies to submit plans to turn standard 4x4 trucks into AI-powered watchtowers—combining radar, cameras, and autonomous tracking to extend surveillance on demand.
www.wired.com
October 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
NEW: DHS is asking companies to submit plans to turn standard 4x4 trucks into AI-powered watchtowers—combining radar, cameras, and autonomous tracking to extend surveillance on demand.
by me @ wired:
by me @ wired:
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Next week, five teens from Palestine will head to Panama to compete in one of the world’s largest youth robotics competitions. The goal? To win—and then teach STEM to their peers displaced by the Israel-Hamas war.
Meet the Palestinian Teens Trying to Win Robotics Gold
Next week, five teens from Palestine will head to Panama to compete in one of the world’s largest youth robotics competitions. The goal? To win—and then teach STEM to their peers displaced by the...
wrd.cm
October 24, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Next week, five teens from Palestine will head to Panama to compete in one of the world’s largest youth robotics competitions. The goal? To win—and then teach STEM to their peers displaced by the Israel-Hamas war.
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Incredibly, the Justice Department today charged a group of alleged Cosa Nostra mobsters with using a version of the exact card shuffler hacking technique we demonstrated in the video below to rig poker games with an NBA player and coach, stealing millions. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Incredibly, the Justice Department today charged a group of alleged Cosa Nostra mobsters with using a version of the exact card shuffler hacking technique we demonstrated in the video below to rig poker games with an NBA player and coach, stealing millions. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
NEW: The U.S. govt accused Peter Williams, ex general manager of hacking tool maker L3Harris Trenchant, of stealing trade secrets and selling them to buyer in Russia.
As we reported earlier, Trenchant investigated a leak of internal tools this year. It's unclear if that investigation is related.
As we reported earlier, Trenchant investigated a leak of internal tools this year. It's unclear if that investigation is related.
U.S. government accuses former L3Harris cyber boss of stealing trade secrets | TechCrunch
The U.S. Department of Justice accused Peter Williams, former general manager of L3Harris’ hacking division Trenchant, of stealing trade secrets and selling them to a buyer in Russia.
techcrunch.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
NEW: The U.S. govt accused Peter Williams, ex general manager of hacking tool maker L3Harris Trenchant, of stealing trade secrets and selling them to buyer in Russia.
As we reported earlier, Trenchant investigated a leak of internal tools this year. It's unclear if that investigation is related.
As we reported earlier, Trenchant investigated a leak of internal tools this year. It's unclear if that investigation is related.
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
ZIPPERS GET ZIPPIER: for more than a century, the zipper has stayed more or less the same. Now, after a 100 years of stasis, the company that makes half the world’s zippers has completely rethought the mechanism that holds much of modern clothing together. @wired.com www.wired.com/story/the-zi...
The Zipper Is Getting Its First Major Upgrade in 100 Years
By stripping away the fabric tape that’s held zippers together for a hundred years, Japanese clothing giant YKK is designing the future of seamless clothing.
www.wired.com
October 19, 2025 at 11:23 AM
ZIPPERS GET ZIPPIER: for more than a century, the zipper has stayed more or less the same. Now, after a 100 years of stasis, the company that makes half the world’s zippers has completely rethought the mechanism that holds much of modern clothing together. @wired.com www.wired.com/story/the-zi...
An extremely important story about the ways that facial recognition tech is failing people with facial differences, by @mattburgess1.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/when-f...
When Face Recognition Doesn’t Know Your Face Is a Face
An estimated 100 million people live with facial differences. As face recognition tech becomes widespread, some say they’re getting blocked from accessing essential systems and services.
www.wired.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM
An extremely important story about the ways that facial recognition tech is failing people with facial differences, by @mattburgess1.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/when-f...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
NEW: In the most significant action against brutal scam compounds in Southeast Asia to date, US and UK officials have sanctioned the alleged operators of more than 10 scam centers in Cambodia.
146 entities linked to the Prince Group have been sanctioned—and $15 billion of crypto seized
146 entities linked to the Prince Group have been sanctioned—and $15 billion of crypto seized
Feds Seize Record-Breaking $15 Billion in Bitcoin From Alleged Scam Empire
Officials in the US and UK have taken sweeping action against “one of the largest investment fraud operations in history,” confiscating a historic amount of funds in the process.
www.wired.com
October 14, 2025 at 5:42 PM
NEW: In the most significant action against brutal scam compounds in Southeast Asia to date, US and UK officials have sanctioned the alleged operators of more than 10 scam centers in Cambodia.
146 entities linked to the Prince Group have been sanctioned—and $15 billion of crypto seized
146 entities linked to the Prince Group have been sanctioned—and $15 billion of crypto seized
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
New from @agreenberg.bsky.social and me: For three years, security researchers pointed a satellite at the sky and found highly sensitive data being sent unencrypted
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
Satellites Are Leaking the World’s Secrets: Calls, Texts, Military and Corporate Data
With just $800 in basic equipment, researchers found a stunning variety of data—including thousands of T-Mobile users’ calls and texts and even US military communications—sent by satellites unencrypte...
www.wired.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:04 AM
New from @agreenberg.bsky.social and me: For three years, security researchers pointed a satellite at the sky and found highly sensitive data being sent unencrypted
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
They found: calls and texts on T-Mobile’s network; military info from the US and Mexico; in-flight Wi-Fi browsing, and a lot more
As Apple expands its bug bounty, I spoke with VP Ivan Krstić about the significance + recent big swings like Memory Integrity Enforcement. These steps protect all users, but particularly those targeted by spyware: “We feel a great moral obligation to defend those users” www.wired.com/story/apple-...
Apple Announces $2 Million Bug Bounty Reward for the Most Dangerous Exploits
With the mercenary spyware industry booming, Apple VP Ivan Krstić tells WIRED that the company is also offering bonuses that could bring the max total reward for iPhone exploits to $5 million.
www.wired.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM
As Apple expands its bug bounty, I spoke with VP Ivan Krstić about the significance + recent big swings like Memory Integrity Enforcement. These steps protect all users, but particularly those targeted by spyware: “We feel a great moral obligation to defend those users” www.wired.com/story/apple-...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Today's the day: DARK WIRE, my book on how the FBI secretly ran a tech company for criminals and wiretapped the world, coming to paperback. Updated with many more details. An Economist and FT book of the year. 404 Media subs: you just got 20% to your email www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josep...
October 8, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Today's the day: DARK WIRE, my book on how the FBI secretly ran a tech company for criminals and wiretapped the world, coming to paperback. Updated with many more details. An Economist and FT book of the year. 404 Media subs: you just got 20% to your email www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/josep...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Apple has removed at least three ICE-tracking apps from the App Store. WIRED spoke with the developers about where they go from here. from @thiccreese.bsky.social and @lhn.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/apple-...
Apple Took Down ICE-Tracking Apps. Their Developers Aren't Giving Up
“We are going to do everything in our power to fight this,” says ICEBlock developer Joshua Aaron after Apple removed his app from the App Store.
www.wired.com
October 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Apple has removed at least three ICE-tracking apps from the App Store. WIRED spoke with the developers about where they go from here. from @thiccreese.bsky.social and @lhn.bsky.social www.wired.com/story/apple-...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Tile location-finding tags, unlike Apple/Google tags, broadcast MAC address/unique ID unencrypted, letting stalkers, Tile or LE track people/items. Anti-theft feature also undoes anti-stalking feature - any tag in anti-theft mode is invisible to scans looking for stalkers. My story for @wired.com
Tile Tracking Tags Can Be Exploited by Tech-Savvy Stalkers, Researchers Say
A team of researchers found that, by not encrypting the data broadcast by Tile tags, users could be vulnerable to having their location information exposed to malicious actors.
www.wired.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Tile location-finding tags, unlike Apple/Google tags, broadcast MAC address/unique ID unencrypted, letting stalkers, Tile or LE track people/items. Anti-theft feature also undoes anti-stalking feature - any tag in anti-theft mode is invisible to scans looking for stalkers. My story for @wired.com
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
NEW
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
The Story of DOGE, as Told by Federal Workers
WIRED spoke with more than 200 federal workers in dozens of agencies to learn what happened as the Department of Government Efficiency tore through their offices.
www.wired.com
September 25, 2025 at 11:22 AM
NEW
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
WIRED led the way in reporting on Elon Musk's efforts to dismantle the US government. My colleagues and I spoke to 100s of employees at dozens of agencies to understand what happened.
This is the definitive story of DOGE as told by those who experienced it
www.wired.com/story/oral-h...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
Speaking over a radio, the federal agent who told police that Villegas González tried to use his car as a weapon said his partner had suffered “a left knee injury and some lacerations to his hands.”
“Nothing major,” the injured agent said.
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
“Nothing major,” the injured agent said.
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
ICE officer said his injuries were 'nothing major' after deadly shooting near Chicago, video shows
The immigration agent’s partner said he suffered a “knee injury" and "some lacerations to his hands,” according to police body camera footage obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. But the feds reported h...
chicago.suntimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Speaking over a radio, the federal agent who told police that Villegas González tried to use his car as a weapon said his partner had suffered “a left knee injury and some lacerations to his hands.”
“Nothing major,” the injured agent said.
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
“Nothing major,” the injured agent said.
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
popping back in from mat leave to say i profiled @katmabu.bsky.social for @wired.com and you should read it! she's running a fascinating campaign: www.wired.com/story/kat-ab...
She Fought the Far Right Online for Years. Now She Wants to Do It in Congress
Kat Abughazaleh, 26, made her name swatting down right-wing talking points on social media. Now she’s hoping internet fame can propel her to Congress.
www.wired.com
September 23, 2025 at 12:22 PM
popping back in from mat leave to say i profiled @katmabu.bsky.social for @wired.com and you should read it! she's running a fascinating campaign: www.wired.com/story/kat-ab...
Reposted by Lily Hay Newman
I covered the protests in London against Trump for @wired.com. Protesters aren't convinced by the AI deal from US tech giants: They want to know what the UK is giving them in exchange for up to $45bn in investment and where the power for data centers will come from www.wired.com/story/climat...
Anti-Trump Protesters Take Aim at ‘Naive’ US-UK AI Deal
Thousands marched in London to protest President Donald Trump’s second state visit. Among them were many environmental activists unhappy with Britain’s new AI deal with the US.
www.wired.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I covered the protests in London against Trump for @wired.com. Protesters aren't convinced by the AI deal from US tech giants: They want to know what the UK is giving them in exchange for up to $45bn in investment and where the power for data centers will come from www.wired.com/story/climat...