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Episode 21 Privacy, data, AI and tech power with Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Australian Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind. In this episode, we start by imagining a future privacy landscape where individual privacy is protected, and users have real agency and choice and look at the steps we need to take to get there. We explore the significant impact of advertising and extractive data economies on our daily technological interactions and emphasize the critical interdependency of AI on vast amounts of personal data. We discuss the challenges posed by large tech platforms developing AI models that will shape future technology products. The episode also looks into the misconception around cookie tracking consent notifications under GDPR and looks at legislative reform around privacy globally. We discuss the growing need for robust data breach deterrence as the OAIC aims to penalise entities for systemic failures to secure personal information. Lastly, we consider the immense infrastructural power of technology and its role in shaping society, highlighting how big tech companies are not just intermediaries but are actively influencing the world we live in. Carly Kind became Australia’s Privacy Commissioner in February 2024. Prior to this, she was the inaugural director of the Ada Lovelace Institute. She is a lawyer and leading authority on the intersection of technology, policy and human rights. She has advised industry, government and for purpose organizations and has worked with the European Commission, the Council of Europe, UN bodies and a range of civil society organisations.
Episode 20 Data brokers, privacy and global surveillance with Byron Tau
In this episode of the Technology & Security podcast, host Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by investigative journalist and author Byron Tau. They discuss the intricate and often opaque world of data brokers and global surveillance. Tau, known for his deep dives into complex subjects, shares insights from his book Means of Control, highlighting the potential misuse of large data sets and the delicate balance between data collection for security and the risk of social control. The discussion traverses the evolution of data brokers, from their inception involving public records to the sophisticated surveillance technologies of today. Tau elaborates on how everyday devices like mobile phones and fitness trackers contribute to the extensive surveillance network, often without user awareness, raising critical concerns about privacy and the power dynamics at play. The episode also explores the real-world implications of data misuse in both democratic and authoritarian regimes. Tau provides a nuanced perspective on the Russian interference in the 2016 US election, China's use of TikTok for data collection and content suppression, and the geopolitical complexities of technology in diplomacy. He shares the story of Operation Gallant Phoenix, a multinational effort against ISIS using unclassified data to enhance international cooperation. The conversation touches on the concerns surrounding TikTok's data practices and content manipulation, and need for careful policy considerations. Tau's reflections on the current technology environment, the challenges for leaders, and his personal journey of writing his book add depth to this engaging discussion, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the hidden mechanisms shaping our digital age.
Episode 19 Tech, AI, digital infrastructure and surveillance with Signal CEO Meredith Whittaker
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal. The interview explores key contemporary issues in technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). They discuss the impact of AI in elections and democracies, including the need for stronger longer media ecosystems and improved focus on the ‘mediating’ role of social media platforms and information ecosystem. They discuss the concentration of AI power and reliance of the business model on mass collection, including the need to write the tech stack for privacy, not surveillance.
This episode also explores developing democratically focused public digital infrastructure, without profit incentives and highlights the role of open-source libraries and systems as part of the core infrastructure of the technology ecosystem. This episode also covers the significance of autonomy and agency in neurotech applications. They discuss how to improve tech board governance, through increased personal liability, accountability and transparency. Also, how many downloads signal has actually had! Meredith Whittaker is the president of Signal Foundation. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the tech industry, academia, and government and co-founded the AI Now Institute.
Episode 18 Tech supply chains, hybrid threats and a more divided world with Elisabeth Braw
In this episode, Dr. Miah Hammond-Errey is joined by Elisabeth Braw. This discussion explores the decline in globalisation and an increasingly divided world with the West on one side and China and Russia on another. It highlights the impacts of geopolitical rifts on technology, innovation, business, supply chain vulnerabilities and complexities, subsea cables and infrastructure as well as consumer prices and job market changes. They also discuss the tech sector, the role of technology in warfare, and the implications of foreign investments in critical infrastructure as well as hybrid threats, information operations and resilience and national security responses. This episode provides a nuanced exploration of how the convergence of technology, security, and geopolitics shapes our world. Elisabeth Braw is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, a member of the National Preparedness Commission in the UK a columnist and author.
Episode 17 Intelligence, AI, Five Eyes and Resilience with Sir David Omand
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Sir David Omand. The interview is an exploration of the evolving landscape of intelligence, technology and security from the Cold War to the near real time intelligence in Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They discuss adaptation in intelligence from high frequency radio to generative AI and from state threats to myriad threat actors. They explore the interpretative nature of data and the necessity for analytical skill in understanding multiple possible explanations in both intelligence work and political decision-making. They discuss the importance of intelligence in supporting diplomatic efforts and informing policy decisions, the unique trust as well as generational and cultural depth of the Five Eyes alliance and the risks of politicising intelligence.
Moving beyond the debate of comparative importance of specific collection mechanisms they discuss the real value of diversity of thought and experiences in analytical outcomes in intelligence work. They explore the need for security to be considered within the human rights framework, rather than as separate and potentially conflicting priorities. They cover why the resilience of information architectures is critical – and flows of information are akin to theprinciples of supply chain dependencies. They also discuss intelligence leadership during technological change, stressing motivation, mission and adaptability. Sir David Omand GCB is a RUSI Distinguished Fellow, KCL Visiting Professor; former UK Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator, Cabinet Office
Episode 16 Disinformation, deepfakes, democracy, data and Russia-Ukraine with Nina Jankowicz
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Nina Jankowicz, world leading disinformation expert and author. They discuss the necessity of an alliance among democratic nations to address technological challenges, and shape policies that have real impact. They discuss the security threats of disinformation campaigns, highlighting their real-world impact on human behaviour and the role of data in targeted manipulation. Russian disinformation tactics were examined, in the context of events in Ukraine, the treatment of Navalny, and broader global developments. Nina also shared examples of successful strategies used by countries like Estonia and Ukraine in countering disinformation through social policies and media literacy initiatives.
They explore content moderation and censorship equivalence and what it means for social media platforms and safeguarding democracy. The discussion touches on the impact of attention capture on our information environment. Looking ahead, they predict increased interference campaigns in 2024 as well as discuss the role of AI and watermarking, the necessity of improving legal frameworks for online harms, and the importance of transparency and oversight in social media to counter data and information warfare effectively. The conversation includes personal reflections from Nina and insights into the normalisation of misogyny and the alarming rise of deepfake pornography, with strategies to combat its proliferation and potential role for public figures like Taylor Swift in mobilising survivor communities.
Episode 15 Cyber sanctions, crisis response, critical tech, AI & geopolitics with Brendan Dowling
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Brendan Dowling, Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology. They discuss the Australian government's cybersecurity outlook for 2024, focusing on the anticipated pace and scale of responses from advisories to law enforcement actions and sanctions. Additionally, it covers the use of cyber autonomous sanctions, examining the case of Ermakov, as well as potential future uses and the process involved, particularly the criteria for significant cyber incidents. The interview touched on the establishment of a permanent cyber crisis response team in the Pacific, highlighting its readiness and composition as a crucial step in bolstering regional cybersecurity capabilities.
This conversation explored efforts to enhance access to secure technology in the Asia-Pacific region, spanning from IoT to cloud migration, and addressed growing concerns regarding information influence and election disinformation, including TikTok's impact and recent regional acquisition. The discussion explored the necessity of forging diverse alliances to bolster technology security, access, and policy, showcasing collaborative initiatives with partners such as the UK, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and ASEAN. Further, it covered interdependencies, including its reliance on foreign-developed software and hardware, and the imperative of leveraging international cooperation to shape the global market and protect critical infrastructure given heavily digital reliance and wide spread data aggregation.
Fittingly, this episode was delayed a few weeks due to a cyber incident.
Episode 14 SPECIAL Episode: Big Data, Emerging Technology & National Security Decision-Making
In this special episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey talks about her book Big Data, Emerging Technologies and Intelligence National Security Disrupted, at ANU. This lecture covers big data and emerging technologies, their impacts on national security and how they create friction in national security decision-making. Big data isn't just a buzzword anymore; it's fundamentally altering the landscape of national security. Data abundance, digital connectivity, and ubiquitous technology form what I call the big data landscape. They are a trifecta shaping the future of national security.
This lecture highlights how the big data landscape and technologies like AI are broadening out and challenging our understanding of national security. It also shows that they are centralising informational, computation and commercial power. It then explores the way new technologies create friction in national security agencies and in policymaking process. Friction from within shows how intelligence and decision-making are impacted and friction from outside looks at the information environment.
Unfortunately, the episode we had planned to release is still in production as our guest was recalled to deal with a major cyber incident on the day of recording. This episode will hopefully be released soon.
Technology & security season 2 2024
Episode 13 Neurotechnology, cognitive liberty and information warfare with Professor Nita Farahany
In this episode of Technology and Security, Dr Miah Hammond-Errey speaks with Professor Nita Farahany about the increasing emergence of neurotechnology and what it means for national security as well as consumers, policy makers, military forces and nation states. They discuss the importance of ensuring the privacy of brain data as the ‘final piece in the jigsaw puzzle’ of data collection by large technology companies. They also discuss the possibility of identifying, verifying and targeting individuals by their neural signature and why addressing this technology should be a national security priority. They explore the current and potential roles neurotechnology can play in combatting information warfare and improving cognitive resilience as well as the increasing role of AI. Finally, they highlight what to look out for in tech in 2024.
Nita Farahany is a Professor of Law & Philosophy at Duke University and is a leading scholar in the ethical, legal and social implications of emerging technologies. She has consulted extensively and including advising DARPA and has testifying before Congress. Nita was on the US Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues for many years. Her latest book, The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the right to think freely in the age of neurotechnology, examines the ethical and legal challenges of emerging neurotechnology.
