Modernization
Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Map Correlation Between Maternal Mortality and the Digital Divide
The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would add a maternal mortality overlay to connectivity maps produced by the FCC.
Cybersecurity
Security Clearance Backlog Hits Long-Awaited ‘Steady State’
The backlog of background investigations has leveled off at a sustainable 200,000, according to lawmakers.
Cybersecurity
Presidential Advisers Expected to Push Software-Defined Networking for Secure Comms
Senate Commerce Committee is stockpiling legislation for coordinated investments in the tech.
Digital Government
Lawmakers Urge FTC to Investigate Aggregator’s Collection and Sale of Americans’ Financial Data
The officials question whether Envestnet is violating the FTC Act by not being transparent about its collection and sale of consumers’ financial information.
Cybersecurity
German Researchers Accessed Service Members’ Sensitive Medical Data—and One Lawmaker Wants Answers
Sen. Mark Warner wants to know what the Defense Health Agency is doing to secure “a significant number” of medical images.
Artificial Intelligence
Lawmakers Launch Caucus to Address Emerging Tech’s Impact on Work
The Future of Work Caucus’ ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive policy strategy to proactively address emerging technologies’ impact on jobs and workers across the U.S.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Working on Legislation to ‘Pause’ Use of Facial Recognition Technology
Details on the bill remain scarce, though lawmakers at a hearing Wednesday expressed interest in halting the use of facial recognition until the tech can be brought under control.
Emerging Tech
Senate Passes Legislation to Help Boost and Secure the Internet of Things
Billions of connected devices could offer new economic opportunities—and security challenges—over the course of the next decade.
Emerging Tech
House Passes Trio of 5G Security Bills
Together, the measures aim to promote a safer rollout of the highly-anticipated, next-generation mobile networks.
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Ask FCC to Protect Consumers from Phone Hijackers
The request comes amid an uptick in SIM swap scams.
Policy
Experts Recommend Expanding Agencies’ Authorities to Combat Online Deception
At Facebook’s first congressional testimony of the 2020s, experts said agencies’ jurisdiction should include the digital spaces.
Policy
President Trump Signs Law to Curb Unwanted Robocalls
The law supports several federal agencies in more aggressively combating the annoying, automatic calls.
Cybersecurity
New Funding for Election Security Assistance Doesn’t Go Far Enough, Experts Say
Ahead of the 2020 presidential election, Congress appropriated $425 million for states to help secure election infrastructure.
Emerging Tech
Lawmaker Asks DHS Secretary to Reassess Facial Recognition Programs After NIST Report
A National Institute of Standards and Technology report found age, race and gender could impact the accuracy in some commonly-used facial recognition algorithms.
Digital Government
Trump Signs 2020 Spending Bills, Averting Midnight Shutdown
The $1.4 trillion measures boost funding for most agencies and provide a 3.1% pay raise to civilian feds.
Policy
Congress Approves Bill to Crack Down on Scam Robocalls
“There are no blue robocalls; there are no red robocalls — only despised robocalls.”
Digital Government
Senate Sends Shutdown-Averting Spending Bills to Trump
President is expected to sign the $1.4 trillion measures that would boost funding for most agencies and provide a 3.1% pay raise to civilian feds.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Demand Answers on Facial Recognition Deployments in Public Housing
In a letter to HUD Secretary Ben Carson, democrats from both chambers raised concerns about threats to residents’ privacy.
Digital Government
The Governmentwide Tech Guide to the 2020 Spending Deals
The 2020 appropriations package includes billions for tech upgrades at some agencies, as well as funding for governmentwide modernization projects. In some cases, that money comes with strings attached.
Policy