Control Room: How social media, data brokers, and AI exploit your attention

The episode that puts you under the microscope

Guest Caitlin Sarian, better known as Cybersecurity Girl, pulls back the curtain on how platforms, advertisers, and data brokers build detailed profiles of each of us—what we like, what we fear, and what will keep us scrolling. This episode explores the unsettling truth of the digital age: our attention is currency, and our data is the product being sold.

But this isn’t a fear-driven conversation. It’s a reality check paired with a roadmap—one that helps everyday users, parents, and professionals reclaim control of their digital lives.

Watch the full Control Room episode on YouTube to learn more.

From TikTok to Cybersecurity Girl

Caitlin Sarian didn’t take a traditional path into cybersecurity. Trained in aerospace and mechanical engineering, she pivoted from tech consulting into cyber with no coding background—driven by curiosity and a mission to help others stay safe online.

Through her platform, Cybersecurity Girl, she translates complex security topics into clear, practical advice. That mission led her to TikTok, where she reaches millions with short, relatable lessons. While she acknowledges the platform’s privacy concerns, she sees it as a chance to educate where people already are. “No platform is perfect,” she says, “but if we don’t meet people where they are, we lose the chance to teach them.”

When helpful tech and AI cross the line

Convenience and privacy don’t always align. Wearables and health apps can offer real wellness insights—but they also collect deeply personal data. Caitlin points to the Department of Defense’s partnership with Palantir on Oura ring data as a reminder that even well-intentioned programs can create concerns about how sensitive information is used and shared.

She stresses that data sharing isn’t always bad—but it should always be your choice. That same principle applies to AI, which now uses health, financial, and behavioral data to predict outcomes that may shape your future. The risks go beyond privacy—they raise questions of fairness, autonomy, and who really controls your digital identity.

Catch the full episode on our YouTube channel and learn how to stay alert in today’s connected world.

Don't miss new episodes of Control Room every week

Want to stay ahead of online scams and identity threats? Tune in to the LifeLock YouTube channel for weekly episodes of Control Room—every Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT—where experts share real stories, fresh tactics, and simple ways to strengthen your digital defenses.