Caveat

A weekly conversation on surveillance, digital privacy, cybersecurity law and policy. Hosted by Dave Bittner and Ben Yelin.

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Recent Episodes

Ep 257 | 4.10.25

Caveat Live: FBI and KU Cybersecurity Conference.

We've got something special for you this week! We are excited to share our very first Caveat Live event. Host Ben Yelin recently headed to the FBI and KU Cybersecurity Conference at the University of Kansas for a live session of Caveat. During the episode, Ben covered the importance of public/private partnerships with Dr. Perry Alexander. Ben and Professor John Symons spoke about the philosophical issues in AI and how those should impact policy decisions. Be sure to tune in for some great conversations.

Ep 256 | 4.3.25

A make-or-break moment for businesses.

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.

Ep 255 | 3.27.25

When secret plans hit the wrong inbox.

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.

Ep 254 | 3.20.25

Turning CISA’s recommendations into action.

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.

Ep 253 | 3.13.25

The tug-of-war over safety and free speech.

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.

Host(s)

Dave Bittner is a security podcast host and one of the founders at CyberWire. He's a creator, producer, videographer, actor, experimenter, and entrepreneur. He's had a long career in the worlds of television, journalism and media production, and is one of the pioneers of non-linear editing and digital storytelling.

Ben Yelin, JD, is the Program Director for Public Policy & External Affairs at the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security, where he consults public and private entities on homeland security, cybersecurity and emergency management policy. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where he teaches courses on electronic surveillance and the Fourth Amendment.

Schedule: Wednesdays

Creator: CyberWire, Inc.