Emerging Tech
Facial Recognition Bill Would Ban Companies From Sharing Your Face Without Consent
A bipartisan bill introduced this week would strengthen consumer protections around facial recognition technology.
Policy
Lawmakers Want to Protect Security Clearances from Politics
A bill introduced in the Senate would prevent federal leaders from revoking clearances as “retaliation for political activities.”
Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Revive Bill to Secure Agencies’ Connected Devices
This time the bill has bipartisan support in both houses of Congress.
Modernization
House Veterans Affairs is Having Trouble Hiring Tech Experts
The group’s struggle reflects the growing shortage of tech talent on Capitol Hill.
Digital Government
Lawmaker Reintroduces Bill to Boost Morale at Homeland Security
Similar legislation to improve engagement at the troubled department passed the House in 2017.
Digital Government
Congress Moves to Ban Discriminatory Advertising on Social Media
Lawmakers also introduced bills to help both vets and the larger U.S. workforce navigate an increasingly tech-centric job market.
Policy
Legislative Hurdle Delays U.S. Space Command Stand-Up
Pentagon can’t move ahead until Congress repeals a provision in the 2019 defense authorization act.
Emerging Tech
Former Staffers: Revive Congress' Office of Technology Assessment Right or Don’t Bother
There is a lot that could go wrong reconstituting Congress’ technology advisory office. But there’s a lot it could do to help, too.
Emerging Tech
Lawmakers Demand Answers on Surprise Microphones Inside Google Nest
The group wants Google CEO Sundar Pichai to provide answers—in writing, and in person—on the microphones discovered in Nest products.
Cybersecurity
House Lawmakers Want to Avoid a Patchwork of State Data Privacy Laws
Experts outlined what they would like to see included in a federal data privacy law.
Cybersecurity
Senator to Agencies: What Are You Doing to Secure Health Tech?
Sen. Mark Warner wants to develop a wide-ranging strategy to combat cybersecurity vulnerabilities targeting America’s health care sector.
Cybersecurity
Senator Seeks Input on Health Care Cyber Strategy
A Virginia senator sent letters to health sector leaders for preliminary feedback on what a national strategy should entail.
Digital Government
Congress is Rethinking How to Use the Government’s Cyber Talent
By recruiting specialized teams and rotating assignments, the government could get more out of its cyber workforce, according to lawmakers.
Cybersecurity
DHS ‘Doubling Down’ on Election Security Heading Into 2020
Under Congress’ budget deal, the Homeland Security Department will receive $33 million to combat foreign influence campaigns and defend election security in fiscal 2019.
Digital Government
Latest Spending Deal Includes Almost $20 Billion for IT Programs
The spending bills include multimillion-dollar agency projects and governmentwide funding sources for IT modernization and cybersecurity.
Ideas
The Problem With a ‘Smart’ Border Wall
To resolve Trump’s impasse, many lawmakers have proposed boosting surveillance technology to create a virtual border wall. Is that more humane and effective?
Policy
GAO Urges Congress to Start Moving on a Privacy Law
Researchers recommended lawmakers give regulators more power to write rules and punish the companies that break them.
Ideas
Why Our Government Leaders Must Take the Wheel on Self-Driving Vehicles in 2019—and How They Can Do it
Such vehicles will enable older adults, people with disabilities and people who are housebound to get around with greater ease.
Digital Government
Trump Says He’s ‘Extremely Unhappy’ With Spending Agreement, Still Predicts No Shutdown
Congressional leadership appears on board with the deal, though Trump would not commit to signing it.
Digital Government