What's up with the internet?
What's up with the internet?
CIRA
CIRA presents What’s up with the internet? an award-winning serial podcast delving into the good, the bad and ugly around one of the world’s greatest resources—the internet. If you’ve ever asked our titular question, this podcast is for you.All episodes are hosted by Takara Small and produced by Kevin McAnena.
Charting a path forward through the misinformation crisis
Feeling overwhelmed by the flood of misinformation and disinformation online? You're not alone—and more importantly, you're not powerless. In our season three finale, we discuss best practices for fighting back to correct misinformation online and the best approaches to navigating our complex information environment. Joining the conversation are returning guests Canadian author and legal professor Timothy Caulfield and Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts. We close the season...
Jun 18, 2025
36 min
Defending democracy: institutional responses to online misinformation
From fake news outlets to AI-trained propaganda, hostile actors are sowing division and distrust. In this episode, we explore how foreign interference and AI-driven disinformation are threatening trust in institutions including schools, our health services and media. We unpack insights from Canada’s recent public inquiry, examine why our country is a prime target and look at global strategies for digital resilience. We're joined by journalist and tech commentator Sue Gardner, foreign di...
Jun 11, 2025
51 min
The fact-checking toolkit to navigating misinformation
Can you still spot what's real online? An alarming 43% of Canadians report it's becoming harder to distinguish between true and false information, while 38% admit falling for false news multiple times monthly. How can we protect ourselves against fake news? To share practical tips you can use, we're joined by Matthew Johnson, Director of Education at MediaSmarts, who shares a four-step verification process for vetting online information. Resources: www.mediasmarts.ca/fact-checkerhttps:/...
Jun 4, 2025
34 min
The human factor behind misinformation
Have you ever wondered why smart, rational people believe things that aren't true? This episode explores why humans are vulnerable to misinformation and looks into the psychological factors that make us believe misinformation. Canadian author and legal professor Timothy Caulfield is back to discuss why so many of us vulnerable to believing fake news and the power of the pause, when it comes to your scrolling habits. We later welcome guest Michael Kropveld, Founder and Executive Director...
May 28, 2025
39 min
The anatomy of deception
This week, we're doing a deep dive into the modern misinformation crisis. In a culture where "rage bait" is king, learn how algorithms amplify rage, fear and extreme positions—along with tips on how to protect yourself from falling for it. Guests include Kara Brisson-Boivin, Director of Research at Mediasmarts, Canada's Centre for Digital Media Literacy, along with professor and author Timothy Caulfield.
May 21, 2025
40 min
The misinformation landscape
Misinformation is being circulated on a widespread scale, creating major challenges for public health, democracy and even how we interact in our personal relationships. We're pulling back the curtain to reveal the forces behind the new age of digital dishonesty in Canada and sharing insights on how to navigate it. Season three kicks off in conversation with journalist, consultant and commentator Sue Gardner who has previously held executive roles at CBC and the Wikimedia Foundation.
May 14, 2025
27 min
Future trends and emerging technologies in cybersecurity
In our season finale, we're tackling the question, what's up with the future of cybersecurity? We sit down with CIRA's own Jon Ferguson to share what future trends he sees in cybersecurity over the next few years, including AI, ransomware and quantum computing. Returning guest David Shipley (Beauceron Security) joins us to talk about the growing pressure on cybersecurity professionals, the risk of burnout, and the critical need for public education in implementing effective security measures...
Oct 10, 2024
39 min
Canada's cybersecurity strategy and global implications
We're picking up where we left off in our last episode to take a hard look at Canada's national security strategy for cybersecurity. Guest Aaron Shull, managing director and general counsel at the Centre for International Governance Innovation returns to discuss whether Canada is well equipped to deal with current and future online threats. Sami Khoury, senior cybersecurity official at the Communications Security Establishment Canada, shares insights about pre-ransomware notifications, threat...
Oct 3, 2024
43 min
Cybersecurity & politics
We're exploring the relationship between cybersecurity and national security—with a spotlight on recent cyber threats in Canada. We welcome guest Aaron Shull, Managing Director and General Counsel at CIGI, to share insight into Canada's election security, highlighting the resilience of our paper-backed ballot system. Next, we turn our attention to the increasingly prevalent cyber attacks on political campaigns and party infrastructures. We also delve into the risks associated with emerging AI...
Sep 26, 2024
32 min
Cyberattacks on institutions
You've seen it in the headlines—the ongoing crisis of cyberattacks threatening our hospitals, corporations and even law enforcement agencies. Sami Khoury from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS) joins us to discuss how the rapid digital transformation triggered by the pandemic has opened new doors for hackers. Later in the episode, we're joined by award-winning journalist Joseph Cox (404 Media) to discuss the broader implications of data privacy in the digital age. Host Takar...
Sep 19, 2024
41 min
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