Caveat

This week, Ben and Dave tackle two major policy stories making headlines. Ben unpacks the Fourth Circuit’s long-awaited ruling in United States v. Chatrie, where the court failed to reach a majority decision on whether geofence warrants violate the Fourth Amendment. Instead, the panel affirmed the lower court’s decision based solely on the good-faith exception, leaving key constitutional questions unanswered. Then, Dave covers the latest twist in the Epic Games v. Apple saga: a federal judge ruled that Apple willfully defied a court order to open up iOS app payment options—referring the company and a senior executive for potential criminal investigation. 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.  Please take a moment to fill out an ⁠audience survey⁠! Let us know how we are doing! Links related to our show this week: ⁠The Fourth Circuit's Geofencing Case Ends Not With a Bang But A Whimper Apple violated court’s order to loosen app store rules, judge says 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 story of how a proposed bipartisan U.S. law aims to crack down on semiconductor chip smuggling by mandating location-tracking technology, while President Trump’s 2026 budget proposes major cuts to CISA’s cybersecurity efforts, signaling shifting federal priorities amid growing concerns over national security and tech competition with China. 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

Please enjoy this encore episode of Caveat. This week on Caveat, Dave and Ben are thrilled to welcome back N2K’s own Ethan Cook for the second installment of our newest policy ⁠deep dive⁠ segment. As a trusted expert in law, privacy, and surveillance, Ethan is joining the show regularly to provide in-depth analysis 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.  Please take a moment to fill out an ⁠audience survey⁠! Let us know how we are doing! Policy Deep Dive In this Caveat Policy ⁠Deep Dive⁠, we turn our focus to the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) policy. This month, the Caveat team delves into the key issues shaping political discourse around AI, exploring state-led initiatives, the lack of significant federal action, and the critical areas that still require stronger oversight, offering an in-depth analysis of AI legislation, the varied approaches across states, and the pressing challenges that demand federal attention. 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 story of the ⁠Paris AI summit⁠, where French President Emmanuel Macron and EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen announced plans to reduce regulatory barriers to support AI innovation. The summit highlighted the growing pressure on Europe to adopt a lighter regulatory touch in order to remain competitive with the U.S. and China, while also addressing concerns about potential risks and the impact on workers as AI continues to evolve. 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

This week we are joined by Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman, who is talking about what we can expect now that Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) is in effect. Ben’s got the story of how a federal judge ruled that Google broke antitrust laws to maintain its dominance in online advertising, marking the second major legal blow in a year that could lead to a dramatic restructuring of the tech giant. Dave’s got the story of a Nevada judge who ruled that "tower dumps"—grabbing cell tower data on thousands of people at once—are unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment… but still let the cops use the data this time because they acted in good faith. 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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Links related to our show this week: Google Broke the Law to Keep Its Advertising Monopoly, a Judge Rules Judge Rules Blanket Search of Cell Tower Data Unconstitutional 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 story of Google losing its second major antitrust case, escalating U.S.-China trade tensions impacting chipmakers, a new probe into 23andMe’s data handling, and a lawsuit against Discord for child safety concerns—highlighting growing scrutiny of tech giants across legal, regulatory, and geopolitical fronts. 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

This week on Caveat, Dave and Ben welcome back N2K’s own Ethan Cook for our latest policy deep dive segment. As a trusted expert in law, privacy, and surveillance, Ethan is joining the show regularly to provide in-depth analysis 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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Policy Deep DiveIn this Caveat Policy Deep Dive, our conversation and analysis revolves around US cybersecurity policy. Throughout this conversation, we break down the Trump administration's efforts to reassess the US's cybersecurity policies. Some key talking points revolve around pivoting the nation's international focus to prioritize the Pacific region as well as domestic efforts to place cybersecurity responsibilities in the hands of state governments rather than federal agencies.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 story of the FTC officially kicking off its antitrust lawsuit against Meta, and how it accusing the tech giant of monopolizing the social media market through a “buy-or-bury” strategy, with high-profile witnesses like Mark Zuckerberg set to testify as the agency attempts to unwind years-old acquisitions. 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

In a lively discussion, Perry Alexander, a noted expert in trusted systems from the University of Kansas, and John Symons, a philosophy professor focusing on ethics in cybersecurity, dive into pressing topics. They explore the significance of public-private partnerships and the need for ethical considerations in artificial intelligence policy. They dissect the challenges of biases and hallucinations in AI and emphasize the importance of moral values in technology, questioning how these will shape our future cybersecurity landscape.

This week, we are joined by Daniel Barber, CEO and Co-Founder of DataGrail, to discuss why data privacy should matter to companies in 2025. Ben has the story of a California lawmaker’s proposal to regulate kids’ use of AI companions. Dave's got the story of a reporter's 300 mile trek through rural Virginia in search of license plate readers. 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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Links to the stories: Kids are talking to ‘AI companions.’ Lawmakers want to regulate that. I drove 300 miles in rural Virginia, then asked police to send me their public surveillance footage of my car. Here’s what I learned. You're Being Tracked 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 story of why election officials and lawmakers are fearful that U.S. elections will be less secure after the Trump administration cut funding for federal election security programs, halting CISA’s support and forcing states to find alternative resources amid growing concerns about cyber and physical threats. 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

This week, we are joined by Tara Wisniewski, EVP for Advocacy, Global Markets and Member Engagement at ISC2 discussing their work on "Navigating Global Transitions: Cybersecurity's Role Amid Political Change?" Ben and Dave both tackle the questionable and potentially illegal use of Signal by high level Trump officials after a text message got sent to the wrong person. 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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Links to the stories:The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War PlansGet 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 story of European lawmakers urging the Commission to accelerate efforts on a "Chips Act 2.0" to boost AI chip investments and address technological gaps. In a letter signed by 54 lawmakers, they criticized the slow progress of the original 2023 Chips Act and warned that Europe must strengthen its semiconductor industry to remain competitive amid growing geopolitical tensions. 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

This week, we are joined by David Wiseman, Vice President of Secure Communications at BlackBerry, discussing making CISA's encrypted communications guidelines actionable. Ben's got the story of the UK’s Online Safety Act kicking in, with Big Tech companies like Musk’s X facing massive fines and potential shutdowns for failing to remove harmful content, despite Musk’s hopes that Trump will intervene to water it down. Dave's got the story of a surveillance success for law enforcement in Baltimore and a new-to-me forensics tool. 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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Links to the stories: UK online safety law Musk hates kicks in today, and so far, Trump can’t stop it Meet Berla, the little-known company that can pull smartphone data from your car Orin Kerr Twitter 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 story of the White House’s unprecedented involvement in the sale of TikTok’s U.S. assets, with Vice President JD Vance overseeing the auction. As multiple bidders, including high-profile investors, navigate a complex and fluid process, the deal faces significant hurdles, including Beijing's influence and the looming threat of TikTok’s U.S. shutdown if a deal isn't finalized by April 5. 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

This week on Caveat, Dave and Ben welcome back N2K’s own Ethan Cook for the third installment of our newest policy deep dive segment. As a trusted expert in law, privacy, and surveillance, Ethan is joining the show regularly to provide in-depth analysis 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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Policy Deep DiveIn this Caveat Policy Deep Dive, we turn our focus to online safety for children. The discussion highlights legislative efforts such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and COPPA 2.0, which aim to strengthen protections for minors online but face criticism over free speech concerns and potential government overreach. Despite bipartisan support, these bills have stalled in Congress, prompting states like Florida, California, and Utah to implement their own child safety laws. The episode examines the challenges of enforcement, the impact of state-led initiatives, and the ongoing debate over balancing child protection with digital rights.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 story of the ongoing debate over online child safety, focusing on stalled federal bills like KOSA and COPPA 2.0, concerns over free speech and enforcement, and how states are stepping in with their own regulations. 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

Please enjoy this encore episode of Caveat. This week on the show, Dave and Ben are excited to welcome N2K's very own Ethan Cook, a trusted policy expert, who will be joining regularly for a new segment. Starting this month, Ethan will be contributing every second week to dive deep into the world of law, privacy, surveillance, and more, offering insightful analysis on the latest policy stories.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. Please take a moment to fill out an audience survey! Let us know how we are doing! Links to the stories:US state-by-state AI legislation snapshotPolicy Deep DiveIn this Caveat Policy Deep Dive, our conversation and analysis revolves around antitrust policy. Throughout this conversation, we break down what the current antitrust landscape is and how this landscape may change as the incoming administration takes over. Some key aspects focused on during this conversation center on some of the key antitrust cases currently being pursued, such as the landmark Google antitrust case, and how the Trump administration may utilize, revise, or remove Biden's antitrust policies, as with the 2023 merger guidelines. 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 story of the U.S. has announcing new regulations restricting the global flow of AI chips, aimed at maintaining its leadership in AI while limiting access to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The rules impose export quotas on about 120 countries, with exemptions for key allies like Japan and the Netherlands, while setting stringent conditions for major cloud service providers to build data centers abroad. 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