Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast: Vlad's Botox

Fresh off a redeye from Israel, I interview Matthew Green of the Johns Hopkins Information Security Institute. Security news from the internet of things grows ever grimmer, we agree, but I get off the bus when Matt and the EFF try to solve the problem with free speech law.

In the news roundup, Matt joins Michael and me to consider the difficulties of retaliating for Putin’s intrusion into the U.S. election. There just aren’t that many disclosures that would surprise Russians about Vlad, though the Botox rumors are high on my list.

In other news, the EU’s cybersecurity agency, ENISA, issues a report on crypto policy that has a surprisingly musty air.

Two new settlements show the limits of privacy law. Michael Vatis covers them both. Ashley Madison settles with the FTC and is assessed a large fine that has to be partially forgiven because the company can’t pay. We all thought that adultery was a more durable business model. And Google settles a class action for unlawful wiretapping by agreeing to scan everyone’s email a few microseconds later than it used to. To spike the football in its victory, Google offers most victims of the violation damages that amount to, well, nothing.

Ah, but Europe marches on, convinced that more privacy regulation will solve the twenty-first century for Europe. Given a choice between more privacy regulation or less, the EU of course chooses more. Maury Shenk explains. Meanwhile faced with the problem of “fake news” and the real risk that Vladimir Putin will use doxing and propaganda against Angela Merkel in her election next year, Europe has the answer: more regulation, especially regulation that puts all the blame on American social media companies. The first amendment rights of Americans look to be collateral damage.

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