Congress

Lawmakers Call for Investigation Into Google+ Data Exposure

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.

Google's decision not to immediately disclose the breach has ruffled some feathers.

  • By Caitlin Fairchild
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.

Mark Warner Is Coming for Tech’s Too-Powerful

The senator from Virginia says he’s “very annoyed” with Silicon Valley’s “pathetic” response to security concerns.

  • By Franklin Foer, The Atlantic

Want Safer Internet of Things? Change Government Buying Rules.

Federal agencies could shape the security of connected devices by using the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

  • By Justin Sherman

Lawmakers Go to School on Wi-Fi and Urge Online Privacy Rights

The Senate also finally passed a bill to change the name of DHS’ cybersecurity agency.

  • By Jack Corrigan and Joseph Marks

Senators, Providers Criticize ‘Unpredictable’ FCC Funding for Rural Broadband

“Cutting [Universal Service Fund] support cuts the legs out of the business case for rural broadband in many places,” said one telecom CEO.

  • By Dave Nyczepir
Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va. Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va.

Republicans Claim Deal on Federal Pay Raise, But Democrats Object to Terms

The preliminary agreement for a 1.9 percent pay boost runs counter to President Trump's recommendation for a pay freeze and faces Democratic opposition over other policy provisions.

  • By Erich Wagner

Shutdown Averted, Congress Barrels Toward November

The House passed a slew of tech and cyber bills last week, but Homeland Security’s top cyber priority is still waiting in the Senate.

  • By Jack Corrigan and Joseph Marks
Bettors wait to make wagers on sporting events at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, N.J., Bettors wait to make wagers on sporting events at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, N.J.,

Should Congress Regulate Online Sports Betting?

The NFL is throwing its weight behind a federal framework, while the gaming industry blamed “burdensome” taxes and laws for the allure of illegal sports books.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

How the U.S. Can Advance Artificial Intelligence Without Spending a Dime

Funding AI research is still critical, but experts say there are other things the government can do to speed up innovation.

  • By Jack Corrigan
A child watches as a polling worker waves over an early voter to an open booth at the Franklin County Board of Elections, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. A child watches as a polling worker waves over an early voter to an open booth at the Franklin County Board of Elections, Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio.

Hackers Report Cites ‘Staggering’ Vulnerabilities in U.S. Voting Systems

The report from DEF CON’s Voting Village found one bug that alone could flip the Electoral College. Another has gone unfixed for 11 years.

  • By Joseph Marks
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.

House Passes Bill to Standardize, Centralize Grant Data

Without machine-readable reports, waste will continue, lawmaker says.

  • By Charles S. Clark
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

House Oversight Forwards Bills to Improve Gov Websites, Formalize CIO and CISO Roles

The 21st Century Idea Act would mandate dot-gov improvements including allowing e-signatures for citizen services.

  • By Joseph Marks

Google Says it Spent “Hundreds of Years of Human Time” Complying With Europe’s Privacy Rules

The cost of protecting users.

  • By Ashley Rodriguez, Quartz

China is Using Tech to ‘Reset the Global Balance of Power,’ Experts Tell Congress

And tariffs won’t keep the scales tilted to U.S. interested, they said.

  • By Jack Corrigan

Bill Would Give Agencies More Resources to Adopt Artificial Intelligence

The legislation would require the government to bring on more AI experts and map out the technology’s implementation.

  • By Jack Corrigan

Senate Homeland Forwards Bill Making It Easier to Ban Personal Email at Agencies

The committee also passed bills to shore up supply chain cybersecurity and codify DHS’ CDM and cyber incident response programs.

  • By Joseph Marks
Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas

U.S. Must Keep Artificial Intelligence Edge to Keep Security Threats in Check, Lawmakers Say

Without heavy investment in AI research, the government risks national security and economic implications, according to a congressional report.

  • By Jack Corrigan

Google Introduces Data Privacy Framework Ahead of Senate Hearing

The tech company is gearing up for Congress' questions.

  • By Caitlin Fairchild

Lawmakers Weigh in on the White House Cyber Policy

Plus hackers attempt to crack into Senate staff’s personal email.

  • By Joseph Marks and Jack Corrigan
Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif. Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif.

Senators Are Asking Whether Artificial intelligence Could Violate U.S. Civil Rights Laws

The lawmakers want answers from agencies.

  • By Dave Gershgorn, Quartz