Cybersecurity

Human Rights Advocate to Congress: Stop Federal Procurement of Commercial Spyware

The Intelligence Authorization Act, which recently cleared committee in the House, empowers—but does not require—the director of national intelligence to bar such acquisitions.

Ideas

Pass the CHIPS Act

Two former senior defense and intelligence leaders lay out the case for Congressional action to help the U.S. semiconductor industry.

Digital Government

Bill to Boost Domestic Semiconductor Production Passes Senate

The Senate voted to pass the CHIPS Act to provide subsidies for U.S. semiconductor manufacturers and support the development of emerging technologies. 

Cybersecurity

More Quantum-Focused Legislation Aims to Implement Stronger Cryptography Standards

The bipartisan bill seeks to fortify federal networks as innovation in quantum computing poses new threats to national security.

Digital Government

FCC Chief Highlights Enforcement Activity as Lawmakers Advance Privacy Legislation

The Energy and Commerce Committee reported bipartisan legislation to the House floor that would significantly curtail the commission’s authority in the space.

Cybersecurity

Election Officials Want to Tell the Public 'Where the Good Guys Won' in Cyber Efforts

As misinformation around the 2020 elections continues to swirl, state election officials say that DHS and CISA should do more to raise up ‘successes’ around efforts to mitigate vulnerabilities in voting systems.

Digital Government

Federal Ability to Buy Citizen Data Worries Lawmakers and Experts Alike

Expert witnesses expressed support for bills that close loopholes in existing laws, which currently allow the federal purchase of private data.

Digital Government

A Look At Tech Amendments In The 2023 House NDAA

The bill, which boasted several hundred amendments, has provisions that touch on cyber education, spectrum, and satellites.

Policy

Lawmakers Ask Energy, EPA to Investigate Cryptomining’s Environmental Impact

As Congress looks to regulate the industry, cryptomining companies say renewable energy is already in play. 

Policy

Bills to Prevent Conflicts of Interest in Acquisition Clear House Committee

Republicans opposed the bills on ideological grounds, arguing government overreach would stifle the private sector.

Digital Government

Amazon Admits to Giving Police Ring Footage Without Owners’ Permission

The smart-doorbell company, which has partnered with more than 2,000 law enforcement agencies, said in a letter that it shared multiple videos with police departments without first seeking user consent.

Cybersecurity

Simple Cyber Reporting Will Enable Better Governmentwide Response, Lawmaker Argues

Sen. Gary Peters discussed how streamlined reporting to CISA can clarify the cyber threat landscape to all U.S. networks.

Policy

House Chair Looks to Protect Census from Politicization

The legislation applies mostly to the decennial census, which the U.S. government undertakes every ten years.

Digital Government

2 Data Brokers Pledge to Halt Location Data Collection After Abortion Ruling

The pledge sets a precedent for other tech companies to follow, as health and location data are jeopardized.

Digital Government

Senators Call on FTC to Investigate TikTok

Recent reports suggest the People’s Republic of China can access the data of U.S. citizens.

Emerging Tech

Key Lawmaker: Digital Passport Only Way to Deter Crypto Use for Ransomware Attacks

The House Science subcommittee chairman—a REAL ID enthusiast—is probing the viability of “privacy enhancing technologies” for biometric data such as facial-feature mappings.

Digital Government

The Supreme Court Deals a Major Blow to the EPA, and All Agencies

The court's conservative majority limits agencies' capacity to write new rules on major issues.

Policy

Biden Calls for Filibuster Override to Protect Privacy After Roe v. Wade Reversal

How the Supreme Court’s decision on abortion could lead to the codification of an actual right to privacy and a whole lot more. Success may require voting in midterm elections.

Policy

House Lawmakers Introduce CHIPPING IN Act

The bipartisan bill aims to provide a boost to the nation’s semiconductor workforce.

Cybersecurity

Congresswoman Promotes Cyber Insurance Amid Shifting Policy Landscape

The jury is still out on how using insurance policies to pay ransoms and re-establish systems after a cyberattack affects critical infrastructure organizations’ individual and collective resilience.