The Line Between Safety and Freedom | Chris Olson | EP 460

The Digital Wild West: A Conversation with Chris Olsen, CEO of Media Trust

In this episode, we chat with Chris Olsen, CEO of Media Trust, a company on the front lines of making the online world a safer place. His company specializes in helping corporations safeguard their digital assets, but Olsen’s expertise extends far beyond corporate concerns. We discuss the dangers of online criminality in general, a topic that’s particularly relevant given the rise of sophisticated AI-driven scams and the seemingly limitless reach of cybercrime.

Core Concepts and Philosophies

Olsen highlights a critical distinction between "cybersecurity" and "digital crime." Cybersecurity focuses on protecting machines and data from unauthorized access, while digital crime targets individuals directly. This distinction is key because it reveals a gap in traditional security measures that aren't effectively protecting people from online threats. Olsen emphasizes that our devices are essentially "open borders," with source code and information flowing from anywhere in the world at any time. He argues that governments must engage tactically and proactively with digital crime, just as they police physical streets, to effectively protect citizens. His metaphor: if grandmothers were being mugged at the rate they're being scammed online, we'd have the National Guard patrolling every street.

Practical Strategies and Advice

• **Understand the Digital Supply Chain:** Recognize that the content we consume online is often delivered through intermediaries, making it difficult to trace the origin of criminal activity.
• **Increase Cooperation:** Governments and private companies need to collaborate to track criminal activity, share information, and stop attacks at the source.
• **Pay for Safety:** Olsen suggests that paid online platforms may deter some criminals because they create a higher barrier to entry.
• **Educate Seniors:** It's crucial to educate seniors about online scams and encourage them to be more cautious about the information they share and the actions they take online.
• **Be Wary of Free Services:** Free online services are more susceptible to criminal activity due to the lack of barriers to entry and consequences for misbehavior.
• **Prioritize Digital Safety:** Companies should prioritize the safety of their users over the safety of their products. Building trust with users will ultimately lead to more sustainable and profitable businesses.

Supporting Evidence

Olsen cites statistics indicating that a significant portion of internet traffic is dedicated to criminal activity, including pornography (20-25%), as well as scams targeting specific demographics like seniors, teens, and the sick and infirm. He also mentions that the Commonwealth of Virginia experienced over 2,000 deaths in 2023 due to fentanyl and other drugs, with over 50% of those drug transactions initiated online.

Personal Application

Olsen doesn't explicitly share personal details about how he applies these principles in his own life, but he does mention that Media Trust uses AI to create synthetic personas that act as decoys for criminals. These personas mimic the behaviors and profiles of potential targets, enabling the company to track criminal activity and alert clients about potential threats.

Recommendations for Tools and Techniques

Olsen's work at Media Trust demonstrates the power of AI-driven solutions for detecting and preventing digital crime. He emphasizes the need for comprehensive monitoring and analysis of digital assets, and for collaboration between governments and private companies to effectively combat online threats. He advocates for a "whole of society" approach, similar to how the internet operates, to ensure greater security and protection for all users.