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Home > Blockchain > Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast – Interview with Charlie Savage

Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast – Interview with Charlie Savage

By Stewart Baker on November 24, 2015
Posted in Blockchain, Cybersecurity and Cyberwar, Data Breach, International, Privacy Regulation, Security Programs & Policies, Virtual Currency
Stewart Baker & Charlie Savage
Stewart Baker & Charlie Savage

Our guest for episode 90 is Charlie Savage, New York Times reporter, talking about Power Wars, his monumental new book on the law and politics of terrorism in the Obama (and Bush) administrations.  I pronounce it superb, deeply informative, and fairly unbiased, “for a New York Times reporter.”  With that, the fat is in the fire, and Charlie and I trade views – and occasional barbs – about how the Bush and Obama administrations handled the surveillance issues that arose after 9/11.

In the news roundup, Michael Vatis and I puzzle over the FTC’s astonishing loss on its own home court.  We wonder why the FTC failed to do the right thing and drop the LabMD case when the FTC’s source began to lose credibility by the shovel-load.  I suggest that FTC leadership was suffering from the rarely spotted “Darrel Issa Derangement Syndrome.”

Jason Weinstein deconstructs the claim that the European Union is “cracking down” on bitcoin in response to the attacks in Paris.

Stepping out of character, I defend the value of diplomatic “words on paper,” finding promise in the G20’s announcement that all twenty members join in condemning cyberespionage for commercial purposes.

Michael recaps the latest in litigation over the nearly expired NSA 215 program.  DC Circuit Judge Kavanagh has explained why Judge Leon is wrong about the program, depriving the district court judge of the last word on the subject and demonstrating that its lawfulness can be assessed without resort to exclamation points.

Working a technology help desk could drive a man to suicide.  Until ISIS opened its own terrorist help line, though, we thought that was a bug not a feature.  In the same vein, I mock Glenn Greenwald for insisting that Snowden taught ISIS nothing about security about a week before we got to see a tech manual, apparently in use by the terror group, which invokes Fast Eddie’s advice about which remote storage systems are safe to use.

As always, the Cyberlaw Podcast welcomes feedback.  Send e-mail to CyberlawPodcast@steptoe.com or leave a message at +1 202 862 5785.

Download the ninetieth episode (mp3).

Subscribe to the Cyberlaw Podcast here.  We are also now on iTunes and Pocket Casts!

The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not reflect the opinions of the firm

Tags: Bitcoin, Data Breach, encryption, FISA, FOIA, FTC, Metadata, Section 215, surveillance
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Photo of Stewart BakerStewart BakerPartner

Stewart Baker’s career has spanned national security and law. He served as General Counsel of the National Security Agency, Assistant Secretary for Policy at the…

Stewart Baker’s career has spanned national security and law. He served as General Counsel of the National Security Agency, Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Homeland Security, and drafter of a report reforming the intelligence community after the Iraq War. His legal practice focuses on cyber security, CFIUS, export controls, government procurement, and immigration and regulation of international travel.

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Photo of Michael VatisMichael VatisPartner

Michael Vatis has spent most of his career addressing cutting edge issues at the intersection of law, policy, and technology. Michael’s practice focuses on Internet…

Michael Vatis has spent most of his career addressing cutting edge issues at the intersection of law, policy, and technology. Michael’s practice focuses on Internet, e-commerce, and technology matters, providing legal advice and strategic counsel on matters involving privacy, security, encryption, intelligence, law enforcement, Internet gambling, and international regulation of Internet content.

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