Digital Government

Lawmakers: Did DHS Surveil Portland Protesters’ Phones?

Lawmakers want to know if federal agencies intercepted messages or collected cellphone data—including through commercial sources—during Portland protests.

Emerging Tech

Lawmakers Propose $1M to Examine How Mis- And Disinformation Impacted COVID-19 Response

In particular, they’d like to know more about foreign and domestic sources propagating false information.

Digital Government

Senate Still Divided on Comprehensive Data Privacy Legislation

Though recent bills are similar, lawmakers have yet to resolve two polarizing issues: preemption and private right to action.

Artificial Intelligence

Hurd, Kelly Introduce Resolution to Encourage Governmentwide Vision of Artificial Intelligence

The resolution urges lawmakers to pass legislation to encourage federal agencies to develop innovative artificial intelligence tools.

Emerging Tech

House Bill Proposes Millions to Build U.S. Quantum Network Infrastructure 

The legislation would establish an Energy Department-led “research, development and demonstration program.”

Ideas

The Need for Unified Data Protection in the U.S.

Innovative businesses should be fighting to get federal privacy legislation to get the most out of data while simultaneously protecting customer information.

Policy

Bill Would Prompt USDA Intelligence Office to Probe Foreign Threats to America’s Agriculture

The legislation comes amid reports of Americans receiving and planting unsolicited “mystery seeds” reportedly arriving from China.

Cybersecurity

What's Next for the House-Passed IoT Security Bill

Some security professionals point to broad exemptions in the Senate version of the legislation that could undermine the effort to guide federal procurement decisions.

Modernization

Bipartisan House Bill Targets Improving Digital Identity Verification

Lawmakers aim to help confront and curb identity theft through strategic modernization.

Digital Government

House Democrat Seeks to Hold IGs Accountable for Reviewing Agencies’ Reopenings

Most of the watchdog offices contacted by Rep. Connolly plan to conduct some form of review. 

Emerging Tech

Bill Would ‘Jumpstart’ Planning Process for Beefing up Border Security Tech

The bill, announced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, would require the Homeland Security Department to develop a comprehensive border security technology strategy.

Ideas

It’s Time to Shore up the Universal Service Fund So It Can Live up to Its Name

Congress needs to create a solution that reflects how Americans actually use telecommunications services rather than how we once did.

Modernization

Library of Congress Touts New Enhancements, More to Come for Congress.gov

The central portal for legislative data—including bills, hearings and historic documents—has been getting a continual makeover since 2016, with a host of new improvements rolling out this year.

Digital Government

Report Outlines How U.S. Could Counter Un-Democratic Uses of Surveillance Technology

The federal government should take steps to imbue surveillance technologies with individual freedoms protections citizens of democracies expect, the authors say.

Digital Government

Customs Deploying Biometric Tech at Ports Without Fully Addressing Privacy Requirements, GAO Finds

A new audit shows Customs and Border Protection isn’t providing enough transparency to travelers regarding facial recognition technology at ports.