Emerging Tech
House Subcommittee Again Takes Aim at Amazon over Ring Surveillance
The subcommittee wants assurances from Amazon that its Ring doorbell camera isn’t being misused by law enforcement.
Digital Government
New Legislation Would Increase Oversight Over Agency Relocations
Measure would require federal officials to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses and provide them to inspectors general and the public for review before undertaking any effort to move federal agencies.
Artificial Intelligence
DHS Looks to Expand Tracking of Election Interference Through Social Media
The request comes four months before Americans head to the polls.
Policy
Senate Passes Bill to End Payments to Dead People
The bill follows an audit that found the IRS sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.
Digital Government
House Committee Leader Wants Oversight of Pentagon’s Handling of Banned Chinese Gear
One observer says prospects look dim for contractors requesting an extension on compliance with provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Digital Government
What the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Revealing to Federal Chief Data Officers
While some agencies have yet to reveal a chief data officer, others are spinning up new teams, tools and projects to address the global health crisis.
Emerging Tech
Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act
The Deepfake Report Act would require the Homeland Security Department to study the threats posed by manipulated and synthetic media—including text.
Cybersecurity
NASA Watchdog Reports on Why the Agency Still Struggles with Cybersecurity
Almost half of the controls in an overarching shared system were assessed as deficient.
Emerging Tech
Industry Calls on Government to Invest Billions for Developing Secure 5G Networks
Comments to the NTIA also say the administration shouldn’t choose winners and losers to compete with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban Federal Use of Facial Recognition Tech
If passed, federal agencies would not be able to run, fund, purchase or otherwise use data from facial biometric systems without congressional authorization.
Digital Government
Trump Signs Executive Order to Overhaul the Federal Hiring Process
Order seeks to place less emphasis on applicants with college degrees.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Lacks Comprehensive Plan to Reopen Federal Offices, GAO Says
Republicans say feds should swiftly go back to work: "It’s time to take our chances," one argues.
Digital Government
Intelligence Authorization Would Add to Due Process Rules for Security Clearance Reviews
Also new in the bill is a provision allowing the government to share negative information about contractors with their companies.
Digital Government
Federal CIO Suzette Kent Tells Staff She’s Retiring
The government’s top IT leader is leaving government in July.
Digital Government
Contractor Confidence in Government Market Less Certain Amid Pandemic
The coronavirus has increased uncertainty in the public sector market.
Emerging Tech
Bill Calls for Federally Funded Research on Police Use of Force and Facial Recognition
The legislation would authorize millions to underpin the efforts it mandates.
Digital Government
Pandemic Oversight Committee Launches Contract Spending Tracker
The committee had stated in its first report that financial management could be a top challenge for agencies.
Emerging Tech
TSA's Plan to Address Evolving Threats to Travelers Relies on Innovative Technology
While technology was not a distinct focus area for the agency, it permeates every aspect of the administrator’s vision.
Artificial Intelligence
Defense Authorization Act Clears Key Subcommittee in the House
The legislation includes some recommendations from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, but not the main one.
Emerging Tech