plain.txt

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155

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Jun 2026

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EN-AU

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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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June 2, 2026Episode 15328 min

#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.LinksAnthropic research: Labor market impacts of AI https://www.anthropic.com/research/labor-market-impacts?highlight=2026Article 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-marketResearch on AI and labour market (HBR) https://hbr.org/2026/03/research-how-ai-is-changing-the-labor-marketOped 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-burstAustralia's National AI Plan https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/national-ai-planCreditsEditing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

May 19, 202631 min

#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-knowArticle 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-lawArticle 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-ordersArticle 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/2c0f09f9fb0396f6ca17c56419133feeArticle about Salesforce hacks (AFR) ⁠https://www.afr.com/technology/australian-boards-caught-up-in-global-hack-after-portal-breach-20251031-p5n6uiAI As normal technology (Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor) https://www.normaltech.ai/p/ai-as-normal-technologyCredits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

May 6, 202629 min

#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.LinksPAW 2026 at the OAIC https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/events/privacy-awareness-week/paw-2026The OAIC’s new approach to complaints https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/blog/handling-privacy-complaints-a-new-approach-for-a-new-eraPrivacy 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-commissionerDecision of the Administrative Review Tribunal on facial recognition at Bunnings https://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/cth/ARTA/2026/130.htmlPrivacy 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-decisionOAIC on the Children’s online privacy code https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-registers/privacy-codes/childrens-online-privacy-codeChildren’s Online Privacy Code consultation materials for kids https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/privacy-for-kidsOAIC 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

April 21, 202639 min

#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-kidsKate’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-peopleCredits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East CoastStudio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.au

April 7, 202632 min

#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.htmlAnthropic statement https://www.anthropic.com/news/statement-comments-secretary-warOped 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

February 19, 2026Episode 14830 min

#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

February 9, 2026Episode 14729 min

#147 2026 preview - Looking back to look ahead

In our first episode for the year we revisit the big themes of 2025, and explore how they're shaping in 2026.We discuss changing sentiments around AI, its impact on the online information ecosystem, the social media ban and ongoing focus on children's privacy, and how cyber threats are evolving in the AI age.Links:TWIDT #146 Australia's grand plan for AI https://podcasts.apple.com/cm/podcast/146-australias-grand-plan-for-ai/id1616386683?i=1000743906862Australia's National AI plan https://www.industry.gov.au/news/australia-launches-national-ai-plan-capture-opportunities-share-be…Article about sentiments about an AI bubble (AFR) https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/microsoft-s-shock-plunge-isn-t-end-of-ai-bubble-but-it-s-a-warning-…TWIDT #134 AI slop is taking over the internet https://podcasts.apple.com/cm/podcast/134-ai-slop-is-taking-over-the-internet/id1616386683?i=100071…Article about start of social media ban (ABC) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-15/social-media-ban-data-millions-of-accounts-closed/106232768Article about almost autonomous AI-enabled cyber attacks in 2025 (The Conversation) https://theconversation.com/an-ai-lab-says-chinese-backed-bots-are-running-cyber-espionage-attacks-… Credits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.auMusic by Bensound.com

December 22, 2025Episode 14631 min

#146 Australia's grand plan for AI

In this episode we break down the National AI Plan released by the Government in December.The plan broadly sets out how Australia will capture the opportunities of AI, how the benefits will be spread across the economy and how it guide the safe and responsible adoption of AI.We debate whether the plan strikes the right tone, pursues the right opportunities and whether it does enough to manage the risks of AI. Links:Australia's National AI plan https://www.industry.gov.au/news/australia-launches-national-ai-plan-capture-opportunities-share-be…Article about the plan (ABC News) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12-02/national-artificial-intelligence-plan-growth-existing-laws/1…Analysis of the plan (Crikey) https://theconversation.com/australias-national-ai-plan-has-just-been-released-who-exactly-will-ben…Article about environmental impact of data centres (ABC News) https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-27/ai-to-take-up-one-quarter-of-sydney-water-in-a-decade/105700…Article about energy use of data centres (Guardian) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/dec/03/datacentres-demand-huge-amounts-of-electrici…Article about MIT study on successful AI pilots (Forbes) https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonsnyder/2025/08/26/mit-finds-95-of-genai-pilots-fail-because-compa…Credits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.auMusic by Bensound.com

December 1, 2025Episode 14526 min

#145 Intimacy on display - why your chatbot conversations aren't so private

AI chatbots are becoming increasingly intimate spaces, with people using them for companionship, therapy and as a helpful personal assistant.While our interactions with chatbots like ChatGPT and Copilot get more personal, we're also seeing logs and transcripts of these interactions increasingly find their way to the public - via FOI requests, court orders and security and privacy breaches.We explore the convergence of these opposing trends. Links:Article about national security chief using Copilot (Crikey - PAYWALL) https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/11/12/australia-national-security-chief-ai-speech-writing/Article about UK tech minister using ChatGPT for policy advice (New Scientist) https://www.newscientist.com/article/2472068-revealed-how-the-uk-tech-secretary-uses-chatgpt-for-po…Article about California court order ChatGPT logs discoverable (AI Buzz) https://www.ai-buzz.com/court-rules-chatgpt-history-is-discoverable-evidence-in-lawsuitsArticle about Grok chats exposed in Google search results (BBC) https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrkmk00jy0oArticle about Meta leaking chatbot prompts (Toms Guide) https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/online-security/meta-ai-was-leaking-chatbot-prompts-and-answers…OpenAI v New York Times https://openai.com/index/fighting-nyt-user-privacy-invasion/NSW Government advisory on AI and recordkeeping https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/recordkeeping/create-and-capture/ai-and-recordkeeping Credits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) www.eastcoaststudio.com.auMusic by Bensound.com

November 17, 2025Episode 14429 min

#144 The era of enforcement begins - breaking down privacy's first ever civil penalty

This week we analyse the implications of the first ever civil penalties ordered under the Privacy Act.In October, the Federal Court ordered that Australian Clinical Labs pay $5.8 million in civil penalties in relation to a data breach by its Medlab Pathology business in February 2022 that led tothe exposure of the personal information of over 223,000 people.We discuss the key insights for cyber, privacy and risk practitioners emerging from the judgement. Links:OAIC statement https://www.oaic.gov.au/news/media-centre/australian-clinical-labs-ordered-to-pay-penalties-in-relation-to-medlab-pathology-data-breach-in-first-for-privacy-actFederal Court judgement https://www.judgments.fedcourt.gov.au/judgments/Judgments/fca/single/2025/2025fca1224OAIC guidance on APP 11 "reasonable steps" (OAIC) https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/australian-privacy-principles/australian-privacy-principles-guidelines/chapter-11-app-11-security-of-personal-informationCredits:Editing and post-production by Martin Franklin (East Coast Studio) ⁠www.eastcoaststudio.com.au⁠Music by Bensound.com