diff --git a/server/pyproject.toml b/server/pyproject.toml
index f63947c8..ffa28d15 100644
--- a/server/pyproject.toml
+++ b/server/pyproject.toml
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@ source = ["reflector"]
 [tool.pytest_env]
 ENVIRONMENT = "pytest"
 DATABASE_URL = "postgresql://test_user:test_password@localhost:15432/reflector_test"
+AUTH_BACKEND = "jwt"
 
 [tool.pytest.ini_options]
 addopts = "-ra -q --disable-pytest-warnings --cov --cov-report html -v"
diff --git a/server/reflector/db/transcripts.py b/server/reflector/db/transcripts.py
index 47148995..b82e4fe1 100644
--- a/server/reflector/db/transcripts.py
+++ b/server/reflector/db/transcripts.py
@@ -647,6 +647,19 @@ class TranscriptController:
         query = transcripts.delete().where(transcripts.c.recording_id == recording_id)
         await get_database().execute(query)
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def user_can_mutate(transcript: Transcript, user_id: str | None) -> bool:
+        """
+        Returns True if the given user is allowed to modify the transcript.
+
+        Policy:
+        - Anonymous transcripts (user_id is None) cannot be modified via API
+        - Only the owner (matching user_id) can modify their transcript
+        """
+        if transcript.user_id is None:
+            return False
+        return user_id and transcript.user_id == user_id
+
     @asynccontextmanager
     async def transaction(self):
         """
diff --git a/server/reflector/views/rooms.py b/server/reflector/views/rooms.py
index b849ae3d..70e3f9e4 100644
--- a/server/reflector/views/rooms.py
+++ b/server/reflector/views/rooms.py
@@ -199,6 +199,8 @@ async def rooms_get(
     room = await rooms_controller.get_by_id_for_http(room_id, user_id=user_id)
     if not room:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Room not found")
+    if not room.is_shared and (user_id is None or room.user_id != user_id):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Room access denied")
     return room
 
 
@@ -229,9 +231,9 @@ async def rooms_get_by_name(
 @router.post("/rooms", response_model=Room)
 async def rooms_create(
     room: CreateRoom,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
 
     return await rooms_controller.add(
         name=room.name,
@@ -256,12 +258,14 @@ async def rooms_create(
 async def rooms_update(
     room_id: str,
     info: UpdateRoom,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     room = await rooms_controller.get_by_id_for_http(room_id, user_id=user_id)
     if not room:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Room not found")
+    if room.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
     values = info.dict(exclude_unset=True)
     await rooms_controller.update(room, values)
     return room
@@ -270,12 +274,14 @@ async def rooms_update(
 @router.delete("/rooms/{room_id}", response_model=DeletionStatus)
 async def rooms_delete(
     room_id: str,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
-    room = await rooms_controller.get_by_id(room_id, user_id=user_id)
+    user_id = user["sub"]
+    room = await rooms_controller.get_by_id(room_id)
     if not room:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Room not found")
+    if room.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
     await rooms_controller.remove_by_id(room.id, user_id=user_id)
     return DeletionStatus(status="ok")
 
@@ -339,16 +345,16 @@ async def rooms_create_meeting(
 @router.post("/rooms/{room_id}/webhook/test", response_model=WebhookTestResult)
 async def rooms_test_webhook(
     room_id: str,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
     """Test webhook configuration by sending a sample payload."""
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
 
     room = await rooms_controller.get_by_id(room_id)
     if not room:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Room not found")
 
-    if user_id and room.user_id != user_id:
+    if room.user_id != user_id:
         raise HTTPException(
             status_code=403, detail="Not authorized to test this room's webhook"
         )
diff --git a/server/reflector/views/transcripts.py b/server/reflector/views/transcripts.py
index ed2445ae..839c6cdb 100644
--- a/server/reflector/views/transcripts.py
+++ b/server/reflector/views/transcripts.py
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel, Field, constr, field_serializer
 
 import reflector.auth as auth
 from reflector.db import get_database
-from reflector.db.meetings import meetings_controller
-from reflector.db.rooms import rooms_controller
 from reflector.db.search import (
     DEFAULT_SEARCH_LIMIT,
     SearchLimit,
@@ -344,12 +342,14 @@ async def transcript_get(
 async def transcript_update(
     transcript_id: str,
     info: UpdateTranscript,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
+    if not transcripts_controller.user_can_mutate(transcript, user_id):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
     values = info.dict(exclude_unset=True)
     updated_transcript = await transcripts_controller.update(transcript, values)
     return updated_transcript
@@ -358,18 +358,14 @@ async def transcript_update(
 @router.delete("/transcripts/{transcript_id}", response_model=DeletionStatus)
 async def transcript_delete(
     transcript_id: str,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id(transcript_id)
     if not transcript:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Transcript not found")
-
-    if transcript.meeting_id:
-        meeting = await meetings_controller.get_by_id(transcript.meeting_id)
-        room = await rooms_controller.get_by_id(meeting.room_id)
-        if room.is_shared:
-            user_id = None
+    if not transcripts_controller.user_can_mutate(transcript, user_id):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
 
     await transcripts_controller.remove_by_id(transcript.id, user_id=user_id)
     return DeletionStatus(status="ok")
@@ -443,15 +439,16 @@ async def transcript_post_to_zulip(
     stream: str,
     topic: str,
     include_topics: bool,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ):
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
     if not transcript:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Transcript not found")
-
+    if not transcripts_controller.user_can_mutate(transcript, user_id):
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
     content = get_zulip_message(transcript, include_topics)
 
     message_updated = False
diff --git a/server/reflector/views/transcripts_participants.py b/server/reflector/views/transcripts_participants.py
index 6b407c69..eb314eff 100644
--- a/server/reflector/views/transcripts_participants.py
+++ b/server/reflector/views/transcripts_participants.py
@@ -56,12 +56,14 @@ async def transcript_get_participants(
 async def transcript_add_participant(
     transcript_id: str,
     participant: CreateParticipant,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ) -> Participant:
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
+    if transcript.user_id is not None and transcript.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
 
     # ensure the speaker is unique
     if participant.speaker is not None and transcript.participants is not None:
@@ -101,12 +103,14 @@ async def transcript_update_participant(
     transcript_id: str,
     participant_id: str,
     participant: UpdateParticipant,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ) -> Participant:
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
+    if transcript.user_id is not None and transcript.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
 
     # ensure the speaker is unique
     for p in transcript.participants:
@@ -138,11 +142,13 @@ async def transcript_update_participant(
 async def transcript_delete_participant(
     transcript_id: str,
     participant_id: str,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ) -> DeletionStatus:
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
+    if transcript.user_id is not None and transcript.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
     await transcripts_controller.delete_participant(transcript, participant_id)
     return DeletionStatus(status="ok")
diff --git a/server/reflector/views/transcripts_speaker.py b/server/reflector/views/transcripts_speaker.py
index e027bd44..787e554a 100644
--- a/server/reflector/views/transcripts_speaker.py
+++ b/server/reflector/views/transcripts_speaker.py
@@ -35,12 +35,14 @@ class SpeakerMerge(BaseModel):
 async def transcript_assign_speaker(
     transcript_id: str,
     assignment: SpeakerAssignment,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ) -> SpeakerAssignmentStatus:
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
+    if transcript.user_id is not None and transcript.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
 
     if not transcript:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Transcript not found")
@@ -113,12 +115,14 @@ async def transcript_assign_speaker(
 async def transcript_merge_speaker(
     transcript_id: str,
     merge: SpeakerMerge,
-    user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Annotated[auth.UserInfo, Depends(auth.current_user)],
 ) -> SpeakerAssignmentStatus:
-    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    user_id = user["sub"]
     transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
         transcript_id, user_id=user_id
     )
+    if transcript.user_id is not None and transcript.user_id != user_id:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=403, detail="Not authorized")
 
     if not transcript:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Transcript not found")
diff --git a/server/reflector/views/transcripts_websocket.py b/server/reflector/views/transcripts_websocket.py
index c78e418c..ccb7d7ff 100644
--- a/server/reflector/views/transcripts_websocket.py
+++ b/server/reflector/views/transcripts_websocket.py
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@ Transcripts websocket API
 
 """
 
-from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect
+from typing import Optional
 
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException, WebSocket, WebSocketDisconnect
+
+import reflector.auth as auth
 from reflector.db.transcripts import transcripts_controller
 from reflector.ws_manager import get_ws_manager
 
@@ -21,10 +24,12 @@ async def transcript_get_websocket_events(transcript_id: str):
 async def transcript_events_websocket(
     transcript_id: str,
     websocket: WebSocket,
-    # user: Annotated[Optional[auth.UserInfo], Depends(auth.current_user_optional)],
+    user: Optional[auth.UserInfo] = Depends(auth.current_user_optional),
 ):
-    # user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
-    transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id(transcript_id)
+    user_id = user["sub"] if user else None
+    transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id_for_http(
+        transcript_id, user_id=user_id
+    )
     if not transcript:
         raise HTTPException(status_code=404, detail="Transcript not found")
 
diff --git a/server/tests/conftest.py b/server/tests/conftest.py
index 22fe4193..8271d1ad 100644
--- a/server/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/server/tests/conftest.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import os
+from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from tempfile import NamedTemporaryFile
 from unittest.mock import patch
 
@@ -337,6 +338,162 @@ async def client():
         yield ac
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(autouse=True)
+async def ws_manager_in_memory(monkeypatch):
+    """Replace Redis-based WS manager with an in-memory implementation for tests."""
+    import asyncio
+    import json
+
+    from reflector.ws_manager import WebsocketManager
+
+    class _InMemorySubscriber:
+        def __init__(self, queue: asyncio.Queue):
+            self.queue = queue
+
+        async def get_message(self, ignore_subscribe_messages: bool = True):
+            try:
+                return await asyncio.wait_for(self.queue.get(), timeout=0.05)
+            except Exception:
+                return None
+
+    class InMemoryPubSubManager:
+        def __init__(self):
+            self.queues: dict[str, asyncio.Queue] = {}
+            self.connected = False
+
+        async def connect(self) -> None:
+            self.connected = True
+
+        async def disconnect(self) -> None:
+            self.connected = False
+
+        async def send_json(self, room_id: str, message: dict) -> None:
+            if room_id not in self.queues:
+                self.queues[room_id] = asyncio.Queue()
+            payload = json.dumps(message).encode("utf-8")
+            await self.queues[room_id].put(
+                {"channel": room_id.encode("utf-8"), "data": payload}
+            )
+
+        async def subscribe(self, room_id: str):
+            if room_id not in self.queues:
+                self.queues[room_id] = asyncio.Queue()
+            return _InMemorySubscriber(self.queues[room_id])
+
+        async def unsubscribe(self, room_id: str) -> None:
+            # keep queue for potential later resubscribe within same test
+            pass
+
+    pubsub = InMemoryPubSubManager()
+    ws_manager = WebsocketManager(pubsub_client=pubsub)
+
+    def _get_ws_manager():
+        return ws_manager
+
+    # Patch all places that imported get_ws_manager at import time
+    monkeypatch.setattr("reflector.ws_manager.get_ws_manager", _get_ws_manager)
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "reflector.pipelines.main_live_pipeline.get_ws_manager", _get_ws_manager
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        "reflector.views.transcripts_websocket.get_ws_manager", _get_ws_manager
+    )
+
+    # Websocket auth: avoid OAuth2 on websocket dependencies; allow anonymous
+    import reflector.auth as auth
+
+    # Ensure FastAPI uses our override for routes that captured the original callable
+    from reflector.app import app as fastapi_app
+
+    try:
+        fastapi_app.dependency_overrides[auth.current_user_optional] = lambda: None
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    # Stub Redis cache used by profanity filter to avoid external Redis
+    from reflector import redis_cache as rc
+
+    class _FakeRedis:
+        def __init__(self):
+            self._data = {}
+
+        def get(self, key):
+            value = self._data.get(key)
+            if value is None:
+                return None
+            if isinstance(value, bytes):
+                return value
+            return str(value).encode("utf-8")
+
+        def setex(self, key, duration, value):
+            # ignore duration for tests
+            if isinstance(value, bytes):
+                self._data[key] = value
+            else:
+                self._data[key] = str(value).encode("utf-8")
+
+    fake_redises: dict[int, _FakeRedis] = {}
+
+    def _get_redis_client(db=0):
+        if db not in fake_redises:
+            fake_redises[db] = _FakeRedis()
+        return fake_redises[db]
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(rc, "get_redis_client", _get_redis_client)
+
+    yield
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def authenticated_client():
+    async with authenticated_client_ctx():
+        yield
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def authenticated_client2():
+    async with authenticated_client2_ctx():
+        yield
+
+
+@asynccontextmanager
+async def authenticated_client_ctx():
+    from reflector.app import app
+    from reflector.auth import current_user, current_user_optional
+
+    app.dependency_overrides[current_user] = lambda: {
+        "sub": "randomuserid",
+        "email": "test@mail.com",
+    }
+    app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional] = lambda: {
+        "sub": "randomuserid",
+        "email": "test@mail.com",
+    }
+    yield
+    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user]
+    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional]
+
+
+@asynccontextmanager
+async def authenticated_client2_ctx():
+    from reflector.app import app
+    from reflector.auth import current_user, current_user_optional
+
+    app.dependency_overrides[current_user] = lambda: {
+        "sub": "randomuserid2",
+        "email": "test@mail.com",
+    }
+    app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional] = lambda: {
+        "sub": "randomuserid2",
+        "email": "test@mail.com",
+    }
+    yield
+    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user]
+    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional]
+
+
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
 def fake_mp3_upload():
     with patch(
diff --git a/server/tests/test_room_ics_api.py b/server/tests/test_room_ics_api.py
index 27a784d7..8e7cf76f 100644
--- a/server/tests/test_room_ics_api.py
+++ b/server/tests/test_room_ics_api.py
@@ -11,14 +11,21 @@ from reflector.db.rooms import rooms_controller
 @pytest.fixture
 async def authenticated_client(client):
     from reflector.app import app
-    from reflector.auth import current_user_optional
+    from reflector.auth import current_user, current_user_optional
 
+    app.dependency_overrides[current_user] = lambda: {
+        "sub": "test-user",
+        "email": "test@example.com",
+    }
     app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional] = lambda: {
         "sub": "test-user",
         "email": "test@example.com",
     }
-    yield client
-    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional]
+    try:
+        yield client
+    finally:
+        del app.dependency_overrides[current_user]
+        del app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional]
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
diff --git a/server/tests/test_security_permissions.py b/server/tests/test_security_permissions.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..ef871152
--- /dev/null
+++ b/server/tests/test_security_permissions.py
@@ -0,0 +1,384 @@
+import asyncio
+import shutil
+import threading
+import time
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import pytest
+from httpx_ws import aconnect_ws
+from uvicorn import Config, Server
+
+from reflector import zulip as zulip_module
+from reflector.app import app
+from reflector.db import get_database
+from reflector.db.meetings import meetings_controller
+from reflector.db.rooms import Room, rooms_controller
+from reflector.db.transcripts import (
+    SourceKind,
+    TranscriptTopic,
+    transcripts_controller,
+)
+from reflector.processors.types import Word
+from reflector.settings import settings
+from reflector.views.transcripts import create_access_token
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_delete_transcript_in_shared_room(client):
+    # Create a shared room with a fake owner id so meeting has a room_id
+    room = await rooms_controller.add(
+        name="shared-room-test",
+        user_id="owner-1",
+        zulip_auto_post=False,
+        zulip_stream="",
+        zulip_topic="",
+        is_locked=False,
+        room_mode="normal",
+        recording_type="cloud",
+        recording_trigger="automatic-2nd-participant",
+        is_shared=True,
+        webhook_url="",
+        webhook_secret="",
+    )
+
+    # Create a meeting for that room (so transcript.meeting_id links to the shared room)
+    meeting = await meetings_controller.create(
+        id="meeting-sec-test",
+        room_name="room-sec-test",
+        room_url="room-url",
+        host_room_url="host-url",
+        start_date=Room.model_fields["created_at"].default_factory(),
+        end_date=Room.model_fields["created_at"].default_factory(),
+        room=room,
+    )
+
+    # Create a transcript owned by someone else and link it to meeting
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="to-delete",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id="owner-2",
+        meeting_id=meeting.id,
+        room_id=room.id,
+        share_mode="private",
+    )
+
+    # Anonymous DELETE should be rejected
+    del_resp = await client.delete(f"/transcripts/{t.id}")
+    assert del_resp.status_code == 401, del_resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_mutate_participants_on_public_transcript(client):
+    # Create a public transcript with no owner
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="public-transcript",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id=None,
+        share_mode="public",
+    )
+
+    # Anonymous POST participant must be rejected
+    resp = await client.post(
+        f"/transcripts/{t.id}/participants",
+        json={"name": "AnonUser", "speaker": 0},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_update_and_delete_room(client):
+    # Create room as owner id "owner-3" via controller
+    room = await rooms_controller.add(
+        name="room-anon-update-delete",
+        user_id="owner-3",
+        zulip_auto_post=False,
+        zulip_stream="",
+        zulip_topic="",
+        is_locked=False,
+        room_mode="normal",
+        recording_type="cloud",
+        recording_trigger="automatic-2nd-participant",
+        is_shared=False,
+        webhook_url="",
+        webhook_secret="",
+    )
+
+    # Anonymous PATCH via API (no auth)
+    resp = await client.patch(
+        f"/rooms/{room.id}",
+        json={
+            "name": "room-anon-updated",
+            "zulip_auto_post": False,
+            "zulip_stream": "",
+            "zulip_topic": "",
+            "is_locked": False,
+            "room_mode": "normal",
+            "recording_type": "cloud",
+            "recording_trigger": "automatic-2nd-participant",
+            "is_shared": False,
+            "webhook_url": "",
+            "webhook_secret": "",
+        },
+    )
+    # Expect authentication required
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+    # Anonymous DELETE via API
+    del_resp = await client.delete(f"/rooms/{room.id}")
+    assert del_resp.status_code == 401, del_resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_post_transcript_to_zulip(client, monkeypatch):
+    # Create a public transcript with some content
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="zulip-public",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id=None,
+        share_mode="public",
+    )
+
+    # Mock send/update calls
+    def _fake_send_message_to_zulip(stream, topic, content):
+        return {"id": 12345}
+
+    async def _fake_update_message(message_id, stream, topic, content):
+        return {"result": "success"}
+
+    monkeypatch.setattr(
+        zulip_module, "send_message_to_zulip", _fake_send_message_to_zulip
+    )
+    monkeypatch.setattr(zulip_module, "update_zulip_message", _fake_update_message)
+
+    # Anonymous POST to Zulip endpoint
+    resp = await client.post(
+        f"/transcripts/{t.id}/zulip",
+        params={"stream": "general", "topic": "Updates", "include_topics": False},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_assign_speaker_on_public_transcript(client):
+    # Create public transcript
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="public-assign",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id=None,
+        share_mode="public",
+    )
+
+    # Add a topic with words to be reassigned
+    topic = TranscriptTopic(
+        title="T1",
+        summary="S1",
+        timestamp=0.0,
+        transcript="Hello",
+        words=[Word(start=0.0, end=1.0, text="Hello", speaker=0)],
+    )
+    transcript = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id(t.id)
+    await transcripts_controller.upsert_topic(transcript, topic)
+
+    # Anonymous assign speaker over time range covering the word
+    resp = await client.patch(
+        f"/transcripts/{t.id}/speaker/assign",
+        json={
+            "speaker": 1,
+            "timestamp_from": 0.0,
+            "timestamp_to": 1.0,
+        },
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+
+# Minimal server fixture for websocket tests
+@pytest.fixture
+def appserver_ws_simple(setup_database):
+    host = "127.0.0.1"
+    port = 1256
+    server_started = threading.Event()
+    server_exception = None
+    server_instance = None
+
+    def run_server():
+        nonlocal server_exception, server_instance
+        try:
+            loop = asyncio.new_event_loop()
+            asyncio.set_event_loop(loop)
+
+            config = Config(app=app, host=host, port=port, loop=loop)
+            server_instance = Server(config)
+
+            async def start_server():
+                database = get_database()
+                await database.connect()
+                try:
+                    await server_instance.serve()
+                finally:
+                    await database.disconnect()
+
+            server_started.set()
+            loop.run_until_complete(start_server())
+        except Exception as e:
+            server_exception = e
+            server_started.set()
+        finally:
+            loop.close()
+
+    server_thread = threading.Thread(target=run_server, daemon=True)
+    server_thread.start()
+
+    server_started.wait(timeout=30)
+    if server_exception:
+        raise server_exception
+
+    time.sleep(0.5)
+
+    yield host, port
+
+    if server_instance:
+        server_instance.should_exit = True
+        server_thread.join(timeout=30)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_websocket_denies_anonymous_on_private_transcript(appserver_ws_simple):
+    host, port = appserver_ws_simple
+
+    # Create a private transcript owned by someone
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="private-ws",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id="owner-x",
+        share_mode="private",
+    )
+
+    base_url = f"http://{host}:{port}/v1"
+    # Anonymous connect should be denied
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        async with aconnect_ws(f"{base_url}/transcripts/{t.id}/events") as ws:
+            await ws.close()
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_update_public_transcript(client):
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="update-me",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id=None,
+        share_mode="public",
+    )
+
+    resp = await client.patch(
+        f"/transcripts/{t.id}",
+        json={"title": "New Title From Anonymous"},
+    )
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_get_nonshared_room_by_id(client):
+    room = await rooms_controller.add(
+        name="private-room-exposed",
+        user_id="owner-z",
+        zulip_auto_post=False,
+        zulip_stream="",
+        zulip_topic="",
+        is_locked=False,
+        room_mode="normal",
+        recording_type="cloud",
+        recording_trigger="automatic-2nd-participant",
+        is_shared=False,
+        webhook_url="",
+        webhook_secret="",
+    )
+
+    resp = await client.get(f"/rooms/{room.id}")
+    assert resp.status_code == 403, resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_call_rooms_webhook_test(client):
+    room = await rooms_controller.add(
+        name="room-webhook-test",
+        user_id="owner-y",
+        zulip_auto_post=False,
+        zulip_stream="",
+        zulip_topic="",
+        is_locked=False,
+        room_mode="normal",
+        recording_type="cloud",
+        recording_trigger="automatic-2nd-participant",
+        is_shared=False,
+        webhook_url="http://localhost.invalid/webhook",
+        webhook_secret="secret",
+    )
+
+    # Anonymous caller
+    resp = await client.post(f"/rooms/{room.id}/webhook/test")
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_anonymous_cannot_create_room(client):
+    payload = {
+        "name": "room-create-auth-required",
+        "zulip_auto_post": False,
+        "zulip_stream": "",
+        "zulip_topic": "",
+        "is_locked": False,
+        "room_mode": "normal",
+        "recording_type": "cloud",
+        "recording_trigger": "automatic-2nd-participant",
+        "is_shared": False,
+        "webhook_url": "",
+        "webhook_secret": "",
+    }
+    resp = await client.post("/rooms", json=payload)
+    assert resp.status_code == 401, resp.text
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_list_search_401_when_public_mode_false(client, monkeypatch):
+    monkeypatch.setattr(settings, "PUBLIC_MODE", False)
+
+    resp = await client.get("/transcripts")
+    assert resp.status_code == 401
+
+    resp = await client.get("/transcripts/search", params={"q": "hello"})
+    assert resp.status_code == 401
+
+
+@pytest.mark.asyncio
+async def test_audio_mp3_requires_token_for_owned_transcript(
+    client, tmpdir, monkeypatch
+):
+    # Use temp data dir
+    monkeypatch.setattr(settings, "DATA_DIR", Path(tmpdir).as_posix())
+
+    # Create owner transcript and attach a local mp3
+    t = await transcripts_controller.add(
+        name="owned-audio",
+        source_kind=SourceKind.LIVE,
+        user_id="owner-a",
+        share_mode="private",
+    )
+
+    tr = await transcripts_controller.get_by_id(t.id)
+    await transcripts_controller.update(tr, {"status": "ended"})
+
+    # copy fixture audio to transcript path
+    audio_path = Path(__file__).parent / "records" / "test_mathieu_hello.mp3"
+    tr.audio_mp3_filename.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    shutil.copy(audio_path, tr.audio_mp3_filename)
+
+    # Anonymous GET without token should be 403 or 404 depending on access; we call mp3
+    resp = await client.get(f"/transcripts/{t.id}/audio/mp3")
+    assert resp.status_code == 403
+
+    # With token should succeed
+    token = create_access_token(
+        {"sub": tr.user_id}, expires_delta=__import__("datetime").timedelta(minutes=15)
+    )
+    resp2 = await client.get(f"/transcripts/{t.id}/audio/mp3", params={"token": token})
+    assert resp2.status_code == 200
diff --git a/server/tests/test_transcripts.py b/server/tests/test_transcripts.py
index 8ce0bd36..2c6acc77 100644
--- a/server/tests/test_transcripts.py
+++ b/server/tests/test_transcripts.py
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
-
 import pytest
 
 
@@ -19,7 +17,7 @@ async def test_transcript_create(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_get_update_name(client):
+async def test_transcript_get_update_name(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["name"] == "test"
@@ -40,7 +38,7 @@ async def test_transcript_get_update_name(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_get_update_locked(client):
+async def test_transcript_get_update_locked(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["locked"] is False
@@ -61,7 +59,7 @@ async def test_transcript_get_update_locked(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_get_update_summary(client):
+async def test_transcript_get_update_summary(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["long_summary"] is None
@@ -89,7 +87,7 @@ async def test_transcript_get_update_summary(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_get_update_title(client):
+async def test_transcript_get_update_title(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["title"] is None
@@ -127,56 +125,6 @@ async def test_transcripts_list_anonymous(client):
         settings.PUBLIC_MODE = False
 
 
-@asynccontextmanager
-async def authenticated_client_ctx():
-    from reflector.app import app
-    from reflector.auth import current_user, current_user_optional
-
-    app.dependency_overrides[current_user] = lambda: {
-        "sub": "randomuserid",
-        "email": "test@mail.com",
-    }
-    app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional] = lambda: {
-        "sub": "randomuserid",
-        "email": "test@mail.com",
-    }
-    yield
-    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user]
-    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional]
-
-
-@asynccontextmanager
-async def authenticated_client2_ctx():
-    from reflector.app import app
-    from reflector.auth import current_user, current_user_optional
-
-    app.dependency_overrides[current_user] = lambda: {
-        "sub": "randomuserid2",
-        "email": "test@mail.com",
-    }
-    app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional] = lambda: {
-        "sub": "randomuserid2",
-        "email": "test@mail.com",
-    }
-    yield
-    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user]
-    del app.dependency_overrides[current_user_optional]
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-@pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def authenticated_client():
-    async with authenticated_client_ctx():
-        yield
-
-
-@pytest.fixture
-@pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def authenticated_client2():
-    async with authenticated_client2_ctx():
-        yield
-
-
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_transcripts_list_authenticated(authenticated_client, client):
     # XXX this test is a bit fragile, as it depends on the storage which
@@ -199,7 +147,7 @@ async def test_transcripts_list_authenticated(authenticated_client, client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_delete(client):
+async def test_transcript_delete(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "testdel1"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["name"] == "testdel1"
@@ -214,7 +162,7 @@ async def test_transcript_delete(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_mark_reviewed(client):
+async def test_transcript_mark_reviewed(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["name"] == "test"
diff --git a/server/tests/test_transcripts_audio_download.py b/server/tests/test_transcripts_audio_download.py
index e40d0ade..b7dcfca9 100644
--- a/server/tests/test_transcripts_audio_download.py
+++ b/server/tests/test_transcripts_audio_download.py
@@ -111,7 +111,9 @@ async def test_transcript_audio_download_range_with_seek(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_delete_with_audio(fake_transcript, client):
+async def test_transcript_delete_with_audio(
+    authenticated_client, fake_transcript, client
+):
     response = await client.delete(f"/transcripts/{fake_transcript.id}")
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["status"] == "ok"
diff --git a/server/tests/test_transcripts_participants.py b/server/tests/test_transcripts_participants.py
index 076f750e..24ec6a90 100644
--- a/server/tests/test_transcripts_participants.py
+++ b/server/tests/test_transcripts_participants.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ import pytest
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_participants(client):
+async def test_transcript_participants(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["participants"] == []
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ async def test_transcript_participants(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_participants_same_speaker(client):
+async def test_transcript_participants_same_speaker(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["participants"] == []
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ async def test_transcript_participants_same_speaker(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_participants_update_name(client):
+async def test_transcript_participants_update_name(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["participants"] == []
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ async def test_transcript_participants_update_name(client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_participants_update_speaker(client):
+async def test_transcript_participants_update_speaker(authenticated_client, client):
     response = await client.post("/transcripts", json={"name": "test"})
     assert response.status_code == 200
     assert response.json()["participants"] == []
diff --git a/server/tests/test_transcripts_speaker.py b/server/tests/test_transcripts_speaker.py
index d18c5072..e85eb1c7 100644
--- a/server/tests/test_transcripts_speaker.py
+++ b/server/tests/test_transcripts_speaker.py
@@ -2,7 +2,9 @@ import pytest
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_reassign_speaker(fake_transcript_with_topics, client):
+async def test_transcript_reassign_speaker(
+    authenticated_client, fake_transcript_with_topics, client
+):
     transcript_id = fake_transcript_with_topics.id
 
     # check the transcript exists
@@ -114,7 +116,9 @@ async def test_transcript_reassign_speaker(fake_transcript_with_topics, client):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_merge_speaker(fake_transcript_with_topics, client):
+async def test_transcript_merge_speaker(
+    authenticated_client, fake_transcript_with_topics, client
+):
     transcript_id = fake_transcript_with_topics.id
 
     # check the transcript exists
@@ -181,7 +185,7 @@ async def test_transcript_merge_speaker(fake_transcript_with_topics, client):
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
 async def test_transcript_reassign_with_participant(
-    fake_transcript_with_topics, client
+    authenticated_client, fake_transcript_with_topics, client
 ):
     transcript_id = fake_transcript_with_topics.id
 
@@ -347,7 +351,9 @@ async def test_transcript_reassign_with_participant(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.asyncio
-async def test_transcript_reassign_edge_cases(fake_transcript_with_topics, client):
+async def test_transcript_reassign_edge_cases(
+    authenticated_client, fake_transcript_with_topics, client
+):
     transcript_id = fake_transcript_with_topics.id
 
     # check the transcript exists
diff --git a/www/app/(app)/transcripts/useWebSockets.ts b/www/app/(app)/transcripts/useWebSockets.ts
index 09426061..ed44577e 100644
--- a/www/app/(app)/transcripts/useWebSockets.ts
+++ b/www/app/(app)/transcripts/useWebSockets.ts
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ export const useWebSockets = (transcriptId: string | null): UseWebSockets => {
 
   useEffect(() => {
     document.onkeyup = (e) => {
-      if (e.key === "a" && process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_ENV === "development") {
+      if (e.key === "a" && process.env.NODE_ENV === "development") {
         const segments: GetTranscriptSegmentTopic[] = [
           {
             speaker: 1,
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ export const useWebSockets = (transcriptId: string | null): UseWebSockets => {
 
         setFinalSummary({ summary: "This is the final summary" });
       }
-      if (e.key === "z" && process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_ENV === "development") {
+      if (e.key === "z" && process.env.NODE_ENV === "development") {
         setTranscriptTextLive(
           "This text is in English, and it is a pretty long sentence to test the limits",
         );