Caveat

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From alerts to aborts. Oct 09, 2025

Show notes

Will Daugherty, US Head of Norton Rose Fulbright's Cybersecurity practice, discussing the upcoming expiration of CISA 2015. Ben discusses Apple’s decision to remove the ICEBlock app after pressure from the White House. Dave's got the story of the Secretary of Defense dialing back cyber training fro troops.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

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This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠China’s covert influence campaign in the Philippines, where a Beijing-funded marketing firm used fake social media accounts to amplify pro-China narratives, attack U.S. alliances, and spread disinformation. The operation aimed to sway public opinion, undermine democratic discourse, and shape the country’s political landscape ahead of future elections. Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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AI on the witness stand. Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

Sarah Graham from the Atlantic Council’s Cyber Statecraft Initiative (CSI) discussing their work and findings on "Mythical Beasts: Diving into the depths of the global spyware market." Ben has the story of law enforcement agencies increasingly relying on AI to synthesize digital evidence. Dave's got the story of the Secretary of Commerce pressuring Taiwan over ship manufacturing.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠how all EU member states have joined a Dutch-led "Semicon Coalition" calling for a revamped "Chips Act 2.0" focused on securing critical semiconductor technologies, speeding approvals, and expanding skills and funding. Backed by over 50 major companies, the group argues the EU must shift beyond its 20% market-share goal—now seen as unattainable—to strengthen its position in a global chip sector where Europe is projected to hold just 11.7% by 2030. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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Red, white, and for you page. Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

This week, we are joined by Michele Kellerman, Cybersecurity Engineer for Air and Missile Defense at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab discussing Women's health apps and the legal grey zone that they create with HIPAA. Ben has the story of the potential sale of TikTok to U.S. investors. Dave's got the story of a looming deadline on renewal of a key cybersecurity information sharing bill.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers ⁠⁠⁠the Trump administration’s approval of a long-awaited deal for ByteDance to divest from TikTok, transferring majority ownership — and control of its recommendation algorithm — to a U.S.-led group including Oracle, Silver Lake, and Andreessen Horowitz. The Department of Justice also kicked off its major antitrust case against Google’s ad tech business, seeking a forced divestiture of its AdX exchange and potential structural changes to restore competition in the online advertising market. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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Decrypting the future. Sep 18, 2025

Show notes

Today we are joined by ⁠Rebecca Krauthamer, Stanford Quantum Computing Researcher and CEO of QuSecure, to discuss the National Quantum Cybersecurity Migration Strategy Act. Ben has the story of a new California bill regulating AI. Dave's got the story of the controversial technology transfer from the US to the UAE.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers ⁠how the EU resolved its antitrust investigation into Microsoft by requiring the company to unbundle Teams from Microsoft 365 and Office 365, aiming to boost competition and give customers more choice, though the long-term market impact remains uncertain. Meanwhile, California lawmakers passed a new AI safety bill, SB53, which would mandate transparency and safety reporting from AI developers, potentially setting a precedent for broader state and federal regulation if signed by Governor Newsom. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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HR1 and the future of U.S. tech security Sep 11, 2025

Show notes

This week on Caveat, Dave and Ben welcome back N2K’s own ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethan Cook⁠⁠⁠⁠ for our latest policy deep dive segment. As our lead analyst, Ethan shares his knowledge of law, privacy, and surveillance on the latest policy developments shaping the cybersecurity and legal landscape.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Policy Deep Dive

In this month's Caveat Policy Deep Dive, our conversation and analysis revolve around the One Big Beautiful Bill, or HR1. Throughout this conversation, we break down this bill and how its new initiatives are supporting the Trump administration's efforts. Some key aspects focused on during this conversation include breaking down the billions invested in improving technological capabilities, supply chain security, and defensive resiliency. Each of these efforts is reflective of President Trump's agenda to secure technological dominance for years to come.

Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week’s ⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers how Anthropic has agreed to a $1.5 billion settlement with authors and publishers, marking the largest payout in U.S. copyright history after a judge ruled the company illegally downloaded millions of pirated books. While the court found that using legally obtained books to train AI models was fair use, Anthropic was held liable for acquiring works from shadow libraries like Library Genesis. The deal underscores growing legal pressure on AI companies and could push others toward licensing agreements or costly settlements to resolve copyright disputes. Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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Two seconds to safer online spaces. Sep 04, 2025

Show notes

Today we are joined by Elad Schindler, Product Manager of AU10TIX, sharing some details about their free assessment tool and readiness guide to help organizations navigate child safety age assurance compliance. Ben discusses some unintended consequences of age verification laws. Dave's got a look at the government’s recent acquisition of a stake in Intel.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers Google facing a modest EU antitrust fine after a four-year investigation into whether it unfairly favored its own adtech services over rivals. Unlike past record-breaking penalties, the new EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera is shifting focus from large fines to ending anti-competitive practices, with no plans to force a Google business divestment. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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Ransomware readiness at risk. Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

This week, Ben speaks with John Anthony Smith, Founder and CSO at Fenix24, about why law firms are falling behind on recovery readiness as human-operated attacks continue to rise. Ben also shares insights on a hack impacting the federal court system, while Dave takes a look at a Michigan Supreme Court ruling on digital device fishing.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Complete our annual ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audience survey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ before August 31.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers how a whistleblower report is alleging DOGE copied millions of social security numbers to an unprotected cloud server. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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Installment plans for your privacy. Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

On today’s show we are joined by Ron Zayas, CEO of Ironwall by Incogni, to discuss the massive data sharing and privacy risks in the leading Buy Now Pay Later apps. Ben’s got the story of Illinois banning the use of AI in mental health therapy, joining Nevada and Utah in restricting chatbots amid growing concerns about their safety and effectiveness. Dave's got the story of former President Trump threatening an executive order to ban mail-in voting and voting machines—claims experts say are unconstitutional, since election authority lies with states and Congress, not the White House.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Complete our annual ⁠⁠⁠⁠audience survey⁠⁠⁠⁠ before August 31.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers he Supreme Court’s decision not to block a Mississippi law requiring all users to verify their ages before accessing social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The law, broader than a recent Texas ruling on explicit content sites, is being challenged by NetChoice as unconstitutional, but for now it will remain in effect while the case continues. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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Governments go on the offensive Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

This week on Caveat, Dave and Ben welcome back N2K’s own ⁠⁠⁠Ethan Cook⁠⁠⁠ for our latest policy deep dive segment. As our lead analyst, Ethan shares his knowledge of law, privacy, and surveillance on the latest policy developments shaping the cybersecurity and legal landscape.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Complete our annual ⁠⁠audience survey⁠⁠ before August 31.

Policy Deep Dive

In this Caveat Policy Deep Dive, our conversation and analysis revolves around cyber operations policy. Throughout this conversation, we break down the global shift where governments are taking a more offensive-oriented cyber mindset. While this trend has been developing over several years, the Trump administration has been looking to dramatically accelerate these efforts since taking office.

Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week’s ⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers President Trump’s suggestion to allow Nvidia to sell a scaled-down version of its next-generation Blackwell AI chip in China, along with a rare agreement requiring Nvidia and AMD to give the U.S. government 15% of revenue from certain chip sales to the country. While the administration insists the move won’t compromise national security, critics warn it could still give Beijing enough computing power to accelerate its AI capabilities and close the technology gap with the U.S. Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protecting or policing? Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

On today’s show Ben’s got the story of how the UK’s new Online Safety Act, billed as a way to protect children, may actually end up doing more harm than good—with mandatory age checks, privacy concerns, and a growing backlash from users. Dave’s got the story of how Flock Safety is expanding its controversial license plate surveillance network into schools—raising serious concerns from privacy advocates about student monitoring, data use, and the growing reach of law enforcement tech on campus.

While this show covers legal topics, and Ben is a lawyer, the views expressed do not constitute legal advice. For official legal advice on any of the topics we cover, please contact your attorney.

Complete our annual ⁠⁠⁠audience survey⁠⁠⁠ before August 31.

Links to today's stories:

⁠Get the weekly Caveat Briefing delivered to your inbox.

Like what you heard? Be sure to check out and subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a weekly newsletter available exclusively to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ members on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠N2K CyberWire's⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website. N2K Pro members receive our Thursday wrap-up covering the latest in privacy, policy, and research news, including incidents, techniques, compliance, trends, and more.

This week's ⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠ covers a call from Senate Democrats for an investigation into the Department of Justice’s settlement allowing Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s $14 billion acquisition of Juniper Networks, raising concerns about political interference and the firing of key antitrust officials. The senators allege that HPE’s use of lobbyists with ties to the Trump administration, along with reported pressure from intelligence officials to approve the deal, signals potential politicization and improper influence over the DOJ’s merger enforcement process. ⁠⁠⁠Curious about the details? Head over to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caveat Briefing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for the full scoop and additional compelling stories.

Got a question you'd like us to answer on our show? You can send your audio file to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠caveat@thecyberwire.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Hope to hear from you.

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