Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast: Ironman meets the Antideficiency Act

In episode 129, Alan Cohn and I dive deep on the Government Oversight Committee’s predictably depressing and unpredictably entertaining report on the OPM hack. Cheeky Chinese hackers register their control sites to superhero alter egos. And poor, patriotic Cytech finds an intruder during a sales demo, rushes to provide support without a contract, and ends up not just stiffed but accused of contributing to a violation the Antideficiency Act. The overmatched OPM security team launches a desperate operation Big Bang to oust one team of hackers, while another is safely ensconced in the network, biding its time before exfiltrating all its data.

And for those who’ve complained that we never talk about cybertax law, a feast: Steptoe’s premier international tax partner (and head of the firm) explains everything you need to know about the fight between Apple and the EU over Ireland’s tax regime for the company. I am shocked to discover that Brussels is doing, well, what Brussels usually does.

Alan and I talk about one more PlayPen decision, United States v. Torres. It may be the last word on the subject, in part because it’s so sensible (the FBI did perform a search, it had a warrant and probable cause, the warrant didn’t conform to Rule 41, but so what? No suppression) and in part because the Supreme Court has agreed to change the Rule. I confidently predict that Sen. Wyden’s effort to stop the rule change will fail.

Download the 129th episode (mp3).

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