Cybersecurity
Attorney General, DHS Secretary Call on Facebook to Build Encryption Backdoors
“Security enhancements to the virtual world should not make us more vulnerable in the physical world,” they said in a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Emerging Tech
A Federal Privacy Board Is Reviewing DHS’ Airport Facial Recognition Programs
An agency shared new details around its recent observations of one TSA biometrics pilot—and what it aims to assess in a comprehensive report it’s generating over the course of the next year.
Emerging Tech
Local Law Enforcement Should Be Able to Protect Airports From Drones, Report Says
To address security risks, a task force recommends that Congress authorize local law enforcement to take down drones flown too close to airports.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers Press Social Media Giants to Confront Deepfake Threats
Sens. Marco Rubio and Mark Warner want Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and others to create industry standards for handling synthetic content.
Modernization
GSA Opens Bids on Commercial e-Marketplace
The project—which has been called “Amazon for government”—will start with a proof-of-concept with two or more vendors.
Policy
States Can Craft Own Net Neutrality Rules, Appeals Court Rules
A federal appeals court upheld much of the FCC’s rollback of net neutrality rules but found that the commission overstepped its authority when it blocked states from enacting their own internet regulations.
Digital Government
The Pentagon Has Officially Taken Over the Security Clearance Process
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is now responsible for conducting 95% of the government’s background investigations.
Ideas
What's at Stake in Trump's War on Huawei: Control of the Global Computer-Chip Industry
It's not just about 5G.
Modernization
Federal CIO Council Turns Customer Experience Expectations On Itself
The relaunched CIO.gov is designed to help federal IT employees better engage with their community.
Ideas
The Case for Commercial Solutions in Government
The applications an agency is looking for are very likely already on the market, cost-effective and field-proven.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Propose $1 Billion Purge of Chinese Telecom Equipment
The Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act would help small and rural providers pay to replace equipment from Huawei, ZTE and other foreign vendors with safer alternatives.
Cybersecurity
Senate’s Election Security Funding Bill Leaves a Key Agency Strapped for Cash
The Election Assistance Commission has struggled with insufficient staff and resources.
Cybersecurity
6 Cyber Bills You Might Have Missed
The bills aim to strengthen the Homeland Security Department’s cybersecurity efforts and help the energy sector improve its digital defenses.
Digital Government
Study: Shutdown Did Lasting Damage to Federal Recruitment, Retention and Morale
While recovering from the most recent lapse in appropriations, some are fearful there will be another.
Digital Government
Republican U.S. Rep. Will Hurd Says He’s Considering Running for President in 2024
Hurd also discussed a whistleblower's complaint about Donald Trump — and whether its contents support a Democratic push to impeach the president. “I think that’s a premature conversation to have," he said.
Artificial Intelligence
Bill to Combat Deepfakes Passes House Committee
The bipartisan legislation directs the National Science Foundation and National Institute of Standards and Technology to accelerate the detection of disruptive, manipulated media.
Modernization
VA to Pilot New Scheduling System at Same Ohio Facility that Tested the Last Solution
The Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center in Columbus, Ohio, is set to get another new scheduling system, as VA lets one contract expire and shifts to its new EHR provider.
Digital Government
Senate Sends Trump Seven-Week Spending Bill to Avoid Shutdown
The president is expected to sign the stopgap measure and avoid an appropriations lapse, but a funding fight still looms.
Emerging Tech
Big Tech Bulks Up Its Anti-Extremism Group. But Will It Do More than Talk?
Facebook and others launched GIFCT to stop violent groups from exploiting online platforms.
Digital Government