'Mr. Robot' season 2 news: Upcoming chapter coming just in time for FBI-Apple privacy encryption debate

Screenshot from YouTube/USA Network

The cast and crew of "Mr. Robot" held a panel interview during the South by Southwest (SXSW) 2016 currently happening in Austin, Texas. The panel informed fans on what to expect in the show's second season, and it coincides with the heated debate between the FBI and Apple over some privacy issues.

Sam Esmail, "Mr. Robot's" showrunner, insisted during SXSW 2016 that he is not a fortune teller.

"What's weird is that we were really going into [Season 2] talking about encryption and privacy, and then this whole thing with Apple and [CEO] Tim Cook happened," the Independent quoted Esmail as saying.

The first season of "Mr. Robot" tackled something similar to Sony's hacking issue and the data dump that happened afterwards. With the second season, another backdrop story coincides with the show. This was also the first time that the show revealed its plot to its fans.

Esmail, who is also directing all the 10 episodes for the second season, was also asked if "Mr. Robot" is criticizing technology in its role in the current society.

He replied, "I don't know if it's to make commentary, but it's to bring it up and have a conversation."

"Mr. Robot" stars Rami Malek as Elliot Alderson, a cybersecurity engineer by day and a hacker by night; Christian Slater as Mr. Robot and Elliot's father, who also recruited Elliot to join the fsociety hacktivist group; and Portia Doubleday as Angela Moss, a coworker of Elliot. The show also stars Carly Chaikin as Darlene, Elliot's sister and a member of fsociety; and Martin Wallstrom as Tyrell Wellick, E Corp's ambitious Senior Vice President.

The show premiered on May 27, 2015 via online and video-on-demand services prior to its TV broadcast on June 24. The premiere gained 2.7 million views, which prompted a second season contract even if the first season had, at the time, not officially started yet. The first season also won a Golden Globe award for Best Drama – TV.

"Mr. Robot's" second season is expected to start later this year on USA.