Artificial Intelligence
Stop funding predictive policing tech without ‘evidence standards,’ lawmakers tell DOJ
Seven Democrats are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to cease grant funding for predictive policing systems until DOJ ensures they are not having “a discriminatory impact.”
Emerging Tech
Senators take bipartisan shot at preventing space jams
Senate legislation seeks to make “basic-level” space data, analytics and other services available to help maintain U.S. dominance in the space sector.
Exclusive
Cybersecurity
‘Relatively few’ agency policies met standards for IoT security, OMB reports
Early last year, the White House office ran a sweeping assessment on agency IoT device security policies. Most fell short on aligning with NIST guidance, according to a letter sent to Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
Digital Government
OMB wants public input on privacy impact assessments
A forthcoming request for information includes questions about how agencies procure data about Americans from commercial sources.
People
Former DHS employees sentenced for plot to steal government software, databases
The trio wanted to to build a commercial software product that would have been sold to government agencies.
Emerging Tech
TSA uses ‘minimum’ data to fine-tune its facial recognition, but some experts still worry
The Transportation Security Administration is planning to expand its facial recognition scanners to more than 400 airports, an agency official said.
People
Retiring lawmaker Ruppersberger was one of first to sound alarm on Huawei, ZTE in US networks
The Maryland congressman, who announced he would not seek reelection at the end of his term, set a precedent for modern-day cybersecurity policy.
Cybersecurity
NCA celebrates National Data Privacy Week while CISA eyes new cybersecurity guidelines
The week’s themes reflect a new era where everything is interconnected and new threats like artificial intelligence are poised to make a big impact on cybersecurity.
Artificial Intelligence
USAID wants help in crafting a playbook for global AI uses
The federal government’s latest artificial intelligence guidance is looking to take recommendations from earlier risk management documents.
Cybersecurity
Proposed law aims to boost food and agriculture industry’s cyber posture
The bill would direct multiple stakeholders to conduct exercises that simulate when the food and agriculture sectors are hacked.
Artificial Intelligence
DISA plots 'concierge AI' to help staffers
The agency is undertaking some early proof of concept initiatives, including a “concierge AI” tool, to see how emerging technologies can support its workforce.
Defense
NSA illegally purchases Americans’ internet data without a warrant, senator says
The NSA’s purchases of commercial metadata without a court order — revealed in documents exchanged with Sen. Ron Wyden — violate consumer protection laws, the Oregon Democrat claims.
Digital Government
IRS gears up to launch Direct File pilot
The pilot will only be available on a limited basis to certain taxpayers.
Artificial Intelligence
FTC to probe big tech firms on AI deals
The Federal Trade Commission is looking deeper into major technology companies’ investments and partnerships with fellow artificial intelligence and cloud service providers.
Artificial Intelligence
Law enforcement needs standards for using AI algorithms, GAO official says
The director of Science, Technology Assessment and Analytics at the Government Accountability Office told lawmakers there should be transparency in how such algorithms work and when they are used.
Cybersecurity
Expect ‘AI versus AI’ cyber activity between US and adversaries, Pentagon official says
Researchers and officials say AI will usher in the next phase of cyber warfare, enabling new ways to carry out classic cyberattacks and build out new hacking tools.
Emerging Tech
Next digital identity testing at DHS to focus on ‘liveness’ detection
The department’s Science and Technology Directorate is taking applications from vendors that want to participate in testing technologies that claim to determine whether a submitted image is legitimate or a hacker’s spoof.
Cybersecurity
US regulators have done little to address firmware vulnerabilities, think tank argues
Firmware connects the hardware and software of a device, but efforts to protect it have been absent in many of the government’s recent cybersecurity initiatives, according to the report.
Emerging Tech
Senate duo advocates for a new federal office to study the global tech landscape
Sens. Michael Bennet and Todd Young said the proposed executive branch office is needed to analyze technology advancement in a geopolitical context.
People