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.

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.

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. 

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

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.

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

5G-Focused Legislation Aims to Improve Security in Military Telecom Infrastructure

The DoD 5G Act would direct the launch of a Defense Secretary-led telecommunications security program.

Cybersecurity

CIA Report Prompts Call for DHS Cyber Authority Over Intelligence Agencies

Senator asks the director of national intelligence why his office hasn’t implemented a basic anti-phishing tool like the rest of the government.

Emerging Tech

Policing Reform Bill Would Prohibit Embedding Facial Recognition in Body Cameras

The Justice in Policing Act contains several restrictions on the use of facial biometric technologies for federal, state and local law enforcement.

Digital Government

GAO Provides Inspector General Reform Guidance to Congress

Among many recommendations, the Congressional watchdog suggested IGs only be removed for just cause.

Artificial Intelligence

Congress Seeks Creation of National Research Cloud for Artificial Intelligence

Lawmakers introduced bicameral legislation this week aimed at keeping the United States ahead of China and other adversaries in AI efforts.