Digital Government

Shutdown, Surveillance Deadlines Loom Over Congress

A pair of lawmakers also proposed a pay raise for federal employees.

Emerging Tech

Smart Cars Collect a Lot of Data. FTC Wants to Know How It's Used.

While some types of information may make drivers safer, others are more geared toward selling ads.

Policy

Trump Is Quietly Swamping Visa Applicants in Extra Paperwork

The H-1B visa allows American companies to hire skilled foreign workers.

Policy

Controversial Anti-Sex Trafficking Bill Could Get Vote This Month

But lawmakers could face an uphill battle reconciling the bill with its tech-friendly House counterpart.

Digital Government

Agencies Spent Billions on IT Without CIOs’ Approval in 2016

A lot of IT purchases slipped by acquisition offices too, the Government Accountability Office found.

Policy

If Another Equifax Breach Happens, Lawmakers Want to See Billions in Fines

And they want half of the money to go to victims.

Policy

Feds Target Revenge Porn Website

A website is in legal trouble after publishing explicit images and other personal information of subjects without their consent.

Policy

Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Streamline’ Rural Broadband

The order offers no funding for broadband projects but aims instead to reduce bureaucratic barriers for industry.

Cybersecurity

Zero Day Disclosure Bill Heads to House Floor

The bill would put the power of law behind the Trump administration’s vulnerability transparency pledge.

Digital Government

IG Calls Out Homeland Security for ‘Questionable’ Spending Data

Auditors said more than 60 percent of transactions had errors, but Homeland Security officials disagree.

Policy

White House Phone Ban May Have Unintended Consequences

Former officials say the ban could trade a marginal security improvement for a much tougher working environment.

Policy

Blaming States, Trump Dissolves Election Integrity Commission

The body struggled to compile concrete evidence of widespread voter fraud, wracking up lawsuits over voter suppression in the process.

Modernization

GSA’s $50 Billion IT Contract Delayed Again

A pair of companies is challenging General Services Administration’s Alliant 2 contract vehicle in court.

Policy

House Passes Trio of Bills to Bolster STEM Workforce

The bills aim to boost women, veterans and others under-represented in tech fields.

Digital Government

NSA Finally Gets an Independent Inspector General

Robert Storch was confirmed by the Senate after more than a year and nominations from two presidents.

Policy

Proposed FCC Rules Could Threaten Local Broadband Competition

Rural areas, in particular, may continue to go unserved if small wireless internet providers get shut out of bidding wars for large license areas by the mobile industry.