Cybersecurity
Lawmakers Want to Ban Warrantless Device Searches at the Border
Sens. Ron Wyden and Rand Paul introduced a bill that would curb law enforcement’s extensive authority over personal data at the border.
Digital Government
It’s Not Just the Citizenship Question—the Digital Divide Could Hurt the Count of Latinos in the Census
Fear of government, a question about citizenship, and uncertain internet connections have created the perfect storm for an undercount of the Latino population, a new report argues.
Emerging Tech
Democrats, Republicans Both Want to Regulate Facial Recognition
If left unchecked, lawmakers worry the tech will infringe on Americans’ privacy and civil liberties, and perpetuate racial and gender discrimination in the criminal justice system.
Digital Government
Are Parents Violating Their Kids’ Privacy Online?
Many kids' first appearance online is their sonogram.
Artificial Intelligence
The AI Supply Chain Runs on Ignorance
Tech companies often fail to tell users how their data will be employed. Sometimes, the firms can’t even anticipate it themselves.
Policy
Senate Considers Bill to Modernize Constituent Services
The CASES Act is one of several customer experience-related bills Congress is considering.
Emerging Tech
Can the Bay Area Rein In the Surveillance Tools It Created?
Oakland and San Francisco may become the first cities to ban use of facial recognition technology by government entities. But that’s only the beginning.
Ideas
The Technology That Could Transform Congestion Pricing
As cities like New York move ahead with plans to charge motorists to enter certain urban areas, we need to think about the best ways to manage road tolling.
Policy
Senators Call for FTC to Investigate Amazon’s Echo Dot for Kids
Lawmakers want to know how the devices are using and storing children’s personal information.
Emerging Tech
The Tenants Fighting Back Against Facial Recognition Technology
The landlord of a rent-stabilized apartment in Brooklyn wants to install a facial recognition security system, sparking a debate about privacy and surveillance.
Ideas
What Facebook Could Have Been
A shareable online diary was an obvious idea in the early 2000s. What if a college student’s version hadn’t won out?
Cybersecurity
IRS’ Outdated App Security Leaves Taxpayers at Risk of Identity Theft, Watchdog Says
The agency is updating identity verification controls for its suite of web applications, but the effort won’t be wrapped up until 2023.
Emerging Tech
Inside One Lawmaker's Proposal for a Privacy Bill of Rights
Sen. Ed Markey’s, D-Mass., sweeping privacy framework would limit the amount of data companies collect on users and require more transparency about how it’s being used.
Digital Government
House Republicans Want FEMA to Answer for Leaking 2.3 Million Americans' Data
Members of the Committee on Science, Space and Technology want a full briefing from FEMA brass no later than April 18.
Digital Government
Survey: Four in Five Industry Tech Execs Favor Federal Privacy Law
Corporate America’s top tech officials favor a privacy law even if they aren’t sure how to adhere to it.
Emerging Tech
A DNA Company Wants You to Help Catch Criminals
Family Tree DNA was criticized for secretly working with the FBI. Now it’s explicitly asking potential customers to help law enforcement.
Digital Government
DEA Never Checked If Its Massive Surveillance Operations Are Legal, Watchdog Says
The administration “failed to conduct a comprehensive legal analysis” of three NSA-style bulk data collection programs, according to the Justice Department Inspector General.
Cybersecurity
CBP announces social media tracking program
Under a new initiative, certain Customs and Border Protection personnel are trolling public-facing social media for threats against agency facilities and officials.
Digital Government
Empowering Regulators Could Stop the Next Equifax Breach, Watchdog Says
Giving the regulatory agencies more power to punish companies after breaches could make industry invest more in cybersecurity, according to the Government Accountability Office.
Digital Government