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ctrl:cyber

Making sense of the stories shaping cybersecurity, privacy, AI, and everything in between. plain.txt unpacks what matters as we navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape – for individuals, organisations, and society alike – cutting through noise to focus on what’s actually happening, and what it means in practice. Hosted by Arjun Ramachandran and Jordan Wilson-Otto, bringing a practitioner-led perspective from their work at ctrl:cyber, an Australian cybersecurity firm helping organisations manage cyber risk across the full security lifecycle.

  1. #155 Australia's AI moment - Lee Hickin, National AI Centre

    vor 2 Tagen

    #155 Australia's AI moment - Lee Hickin, National AI Centre

    Australia is one of the world's top per capita users of AI, but outside of large enterprises many businesses aren't using it. In this episode, we speak with Lee Hickin, Executive Director of the National AI Centre (bio below) about what it will take to close the gap between awareness of AI and safe and confident adoption. We explore current attitudes to AI in Australia, what the NAIC's data says about adoption across different sectors, and where Australia should position itself in the "AI risk vs AI opportunity" narrative. Lee also shares his view of why getting this moment right matters not just for improving productivity, but to enhance Australia's place in the global economy. BIO: Lee Hickin, Executive Director, Australian National AI Centre. Lee has over 30 years’ experience in the technology industry, having been in technical, sales and business development roles. Most recently he was the CTO for Microsoft ANZ and then lead the Asia region for Microsoft’s global Responsible AI team. Lee has worked across the UK, Asia, and Australia, before joining the Federal Government. In addition to his time at Microsoft, Lee led the Internet of Things team for Amazon Web Services in Asia Pacific, he was a CISSP security architect with RSA Security and worked at both Tivoli and IBM as a software engineer. During his time in industry, Lee has supported Governments around the world as an independent contributor; having been a member of the Singapore AI-Verify Board and a founding member of the NSW AI Assurance Committee. Today Lee leads the Australian National AI Centre (NAIC), with a mission to enable and support Australian Industry and society in its adoption of and acceleration through AI technology and services. He has a clear focus on the need for consistent and appropriate responsible safety mechanisms to support AI, balanced with the need to empower Australians with the confidence and trust in the positive and transformative potential of AI. Lee brings the importance of technical understanding combined with the need for clear and unambiguous language as we help shape a future where AI will be a powerful enabler of productivity, growth and society broadly. Links Lee Hickin — Executive Director, National AI Centre https://www.industry.gov.au/national-artificial-intelligence-centre/about-national-ai-centre/lee-hic... National AI Centre https://www.ai.gov.au/about/about-national-ai-centre" target="_blank" class="redactor-autoparser-object">https://www.ai.gov.au/about/about-national-ai-centre Australia's central AI resource platform https://www.ai.gov.au Australia's National AI Plan https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-plan US export controls force Anthropic to disable Fable 5 and Mythos 5 globally — what happened (CSIS) https://www.csis.org/analysis/department-commerce-restricted-access-anthropics-latest-models-what-co... Global implications of the White House export controls on Anthropic (IAPP) https://iapp.org/news/a/the-global-implications-of-the-white-houses-export-controls-on-anthropic Expanding AI sovereignty to AI agency (TPDi) https://techpolicy.au/aiagency Safe AI Adoption Model (SAAM) https://www.saam.com.au/ Credits Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) ⁠www.eastcoaststudio.com.au⁠

    39 Min.
  2. #154 Shattered shield - Product liability rulings crack social media's legal armour

    17. Juni

    #154 Shattered shield - Product liability rulings crack social media's legal armour

    This week we explore a shift in how social media platforms are perceived, which could open the door to them taking greater accountability for potential harms experienced by users. The trigger is two recent landmark verdicts in the US. In California, a jury found Meta and Google negligent for the design of their platforms while in New Mexico, a jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million after it was argued the company misled the public about the safety of its platforms. Until now, platforms have largely sheltered behind a legal theory that argues that they aren't publishers and therefore not liable for the content posted by users or the harm it cause. These cases re-direct the source of harm to the way these platforms are designed - much more akin to how we think about product safety.LinksArticle about Meta and Google found liable (NPR) https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5746125/meta-google-social-media-addiction-trial Article about New Mexico child safety verdict (Reuters) https://www.aol.com/articles/jury-orders-meta-pay-375-210501487.html New Mexico Department of Justice — official verdict statement https://nmdoj.gov/press-release/new-mexico-department-of-justice-wins-landmark-verdict-against-meta/Argument against social media verdicts (TechDirt) https://www.techdirt.com/2026/03/26/everyone-cheering-the-social-media-addiction-verdicts-against-me... Australia's digital duty of care — issues paper (Department of Infrastructure) https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/digital-duty-care-australia-developi... Australia advancing digital duty of care legislation (The Conversation) https://theconversation.com/australia-will-impose-a-digital-duty-of-care-on-tech-companies-to-reduce... Australia wants social media to be safe by design — what does that actually look like? (The Conversation https://theconversation.com/australia-wants-social-media-to-be-safe-by-design-what-does-that-actuall...CreditsEditing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

    30 Min.
  3. #153 Labour pains - How AI is reshaping the workforce

    2. Juni

    #153 Labour pains - How AI is reshaping the workforce

    Is AI going to take all our jobs? This week we dig into this question, starting with a report from Anthropic released this year that cuts against the prevailing panic. We identify some deeper and more nuanced impacts of AI on the labour force beyond the possibility of jobs disappearing - including the re-design of roles, the loss of insight that comes when we handover "mundane" work to AI, and the impact of AI on the next generation of workforce leaders. We also explore the vested interests that exist to promote the narrative around mass workforce displacement. Links Anthropic research: Labor market impacts of AI https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts?highlight=2026 Article about "AI washing" (Fortune) https://fortune.com/2026/02/10/ai-washing-and-forever-layoffs-why-companies-keep-cutting-jobs-even-a... Anthropic CEO's dramatic labour force prediction (Forbes) https://www.forbes.com/sites/kolawolesamueladebayo/2026/02/21/dario-amodei-doubled-down-on-his-ai-jo... Goldman Sachs AI labour force prediction https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/how-will-ai-affect-the-us-labor-market Research on AI and labour market (HBR) https://hbr.org/2026/03/research-how-ai-is-changing-the-labor-market Oped about Atlassian's job cuts (AFR) https://www.afr.com/technology/the-ai-lesson-atlassian-s-cannon-brookes-doesn-t-want-to-hear-2026031... Global tech layoff numbers (RationalFX) https://www.rationalfx.com/forex-brokers/tech-industry-layoffs/ Blog on how history suggests AI-driven change isn't coming as fast as you think (Aaron Benanav) https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/blogs/news/is-the-ai-bubble-about-to-burst Australia's National AI Plan https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-plan Credits Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

    29 Min.
  4. #152 Cute widget or security time bomb? The story behind website chatbots

    19. Mai

    #152 Cute widget or security time bomb? The story behind website chatbots

    This week we take a closer look at the rapid spread of customer‑facing chatbots on websites and explore the growing risks that come with them.While they often look like a simple website widget, chatbots are increasingly deeply integrated AI agents with access to sensitive systems, personal data and business processes. We talk about some of the real‑world snafus that have occurred, and then step through the practical risk and governance considerations for privacy, security and AI teams. Links: Article about Air Canada chatbot misinformation case (BBC) ⁠https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240222-air-canada-chatbot-misinformation-what-travellers-should-know Article about swearing chatbot (BBC) ⁠https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68025677⁠ Article about NYC chatbot telling businesses to break the law (The Markup) ⁠https://themarkup.org/artificial-intelligence/2024/03/29/nycs-ai-chatbot-tells-businesses-to-break-the-law Article about California fire agency chatbot (The Markup) ⁠https://themarkup.org/artificial-intelligence/2025/07/09/californias-fire-protection-agency-made-an-ai-chatbot-dont-ask-it-about-evacuation-orders Article about McDonald’s chatbot breach (News) ⁠https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/hacking/dystopian-mcdonalds-ai-chat-bot-olivia-hacked-with-simple-password/news-story/2c0f09f9fb0396f6ca17c56419133fee Article about Salesforce hacks (AFR) ⁠https://www.afr.com/technology/australian-boards-caught-up-in-global-hack-after-portal-breach-20251031-p5n6ui AI As normal technology (Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor) https://www.normaltech.ai/p/ai-as-normal-technology Credits: Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

    32 Min.
  5. #151 Trust is built here - Privacy Awareness Week with Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind

    6. Mai

    #151 Trust is built here - Privacy Awareness Week with Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind

    To celebrate Privacy Awareness Week, Jordan sits down with Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind to reflect on the PAW theme, her time in the office so far, and what the future holds. The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner’s (OAIC) chosen theme for Privacy Awareness Week is Trust is built here. In every privacy complaint. In every resolution. In a wide-ranging interview, Jordan talks with the Commissioner about why she chose to focus on dispute resolution for this year’s PAW theme, and how the OAIC’s own approach to complaint handling is evolving. With Commissioner Kind approaching the half-way mark of her five-year term, they also reflect on her time in the office so far, and what she still hopes to achieve. They go deep on facial recognition and discuss what practitioners should learn from the Administrative Review Tribunal’s decision in Bunnings Group Limited and Privacy Commissioner. Finally, they talk law reform — the Children’s Online Privacy Code, what to expect from tranche 2 of the Privacy Act reforms (and maybe even when), and the upcoming amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering / Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Act which will introduce new privacy obligations for real estate professionals, dealers in precious metals and stones, and certain professional service providers from 1 July 2026. Links PAW 2026 at the OAIC https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/events/privacy-awareness-week/paw-2026 The OAIC’s new approach to complaints https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/blog/handling-privacy-complaints-a-new-approach-for-a-new-era Privacy Commissioner’s determination on the 2Apply rental technology platform and statement on RentTech platforms generally https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/renttech-platforms-must-stop-unfair-and-excessive-personal-information-collection,-says-privacy-commissioner Decision of the Administrative Review Tribunal on facial recognition at Bunnings https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/ARTA/2026/130.html Privacy Commissioner statement on the Administrative Review Tribunal’s Bunnings decision https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/privacy-commissioner-statement-on-administrative-review-tribunals-bunnings-decision OAIC on the Children’s online privacy code https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes/childrens-online-privacy-code Children’s Online Privacy Code consultation materials for kids https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-kids OAIC Guidance on the AML/CTF reforms https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/know-your-privacy-obligations-under-the-anti-money-laundering-counter-terrorism-financing-amlctf-act-updated-oaic-guidance

    30 Min.
  6. #150 Have your say - The Children's Online Privacy Code with Dr Kate Bower

    21. Apr.

    #150 Have your say - The Children's Online Privacy Code with Dr Kate Bower

    This week Jordan is joined by Dr Kate Bower from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) to discuss the biggest shake-up to online privacy for Australian kids in 25 years, and how you can have your say.The Children’s Online Privacy Code will set out new rules for the handling of children’s personal information by apps games and websites likely to be accessed by children or primarily concerned with the activities of children. Kate and Jordan break down what’s in the code, where it comes from, and why it looks the way it does. They also revisit what the OAIC learnt from past consultation rounds, and how you (and your kids and your community) can have your say. Public consultation on the proposed Children’s Online Privacy Code is open until 5 June. Kate and the team are genuinely keen to hear from industry, but also from parents, carers and children. The OAIC has put together a range of engagement resources like child friendly explainers, worksheets, lesson plans and more to make it easier for kids and parents to participate, which you can access at Privacy for Kids | OAIC. Dr Kate Bower is the Director of the Privacy Reform Implementation and Social Media (PRISM) Taskforce at the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC). Links: The OAIC’s Children’s Online Privacy Code information hub https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-kids Kate’s blog post on the code and the OAIC’s approach https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/blog/sunshine-and-double-rainbows-building-a-better-online-environment-for-children-and-young-people Credits: Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East CoastStudio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

    40 Min.
  7. #149 AI in the kill chain: Breaking down Anthropic v Pentagon

    7. Apr.

    #149 AI in the kill chain: Breaking down Anthropic v Pentagon

    This week we unpack the dispute between Anthropic and the US Department of Defense and it what it says about AI governance more broadly. What began as a contractual disagreement rapidly turned into a political and legal stoush that culminated in the designation of Anthropic as a US national supply‑chainrisk. We break down the areas of concern - fully autonomous lethal weapons and mass domestic surveillance - and debate whether private tech companies should be allowed to constrain how governments use technologies like AI   Links: Article about Pentagon designating Anthropic a supply‑chain risk (Yahoo) https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/pentagon-designates-anthropic-supply-chain-114515625.html Anthropic statement https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-comments-secretary-war Oped on the Pentagon–Anthropic brawl (ASPI) https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/pentagon-anthropic-brawl-demands-rethink-of-ai-industry/ Oped on the Pentagon–Anthropic brawl (Tech Policy Press) https://www.techpolicy.press/how-to-think-about-the-anthropic-pentagon-dispute/ Article on the dispute (The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/03/inside-anthropics-killer-robot-dispute-with-the-pent… Analysis by former Trump AI advisor https://www.hyperdimensional.co/p/clawed   Credits: Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

    33 Min.
  8. #148 OAIC v Bunnings - Green light for a facial recognition free for all?

    19. Feb.

    #148 OAIC v Bunnings - Green light for a facial recognition free for all?

    In this episode we explore the implications of an Administrative Review Tribunal ruling that Australian retailer Bunnings was reasonably entitled to use facial recognition technology (FRT) to combat crime and staff abuse in its stores. The ruling comes after a protracted dispute, with Bunnings appealing a 2024 determination by Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind that it had breached privacy laws in using FRT to scan customers' faces without their consent. We break down the legal intricacies and justifications for the decision, and explore the impact it might have on FRT adoption more widely.Links:Article about the Administrative Review Tribunal ruling (ABC) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-05/bunnings-wins-ai-facial-recognition-tech-fight/106309308ART ruling https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/ARTA/2026/130.htmlOAIC statement https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/oaic-statement-on-administrative-review-tribunals-bunning…Bunnings statement https://media.bunnings.com.au/api/public/content/51f48a5bef0748109f7b52607bdfbd06?v=9b52aa2c&_gl=1*…Analysis of ruling (The Conversation) https://theconversation.com/bunnings-decision-may-open-door-to-facial-recognition-surveillance-free…Analysis of ruling (The Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/05/bunnings-given-green-light-to-use-facial-rec… Credits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.auMusic by Bensound.com

    31 Min.
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Making sense of the stories shaping cybersecurity, privacy, AI, and everything in between. plain.txt unpacks what matters as we navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape – for individuals, organisations, and society alike – cutting through noise to focus on what’s actually happening, and what it means in practice. Hosted by Arjun Ramachandran and Jordan Wilson-Otto, bringing a practitioner-led perspective from their work at ctrl:cyber, an Australian cybersecurity firm helping organisations manage cyber risk across the full security lifecycle.

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