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Digital Government
Labor Department looks to pilot intaking unemployment claims for states
The effort follows the department’s notice that it may create a national claims database, a move critics say raises cybersecurity, privacy and surveillance risks.
People
How Trump’s OPM director wants to attract tech talent after months of workforce cuts
OPM Director Scott Kupor wants to bring on new feds with cutting edge skills, but the government’s recent flood of layoffs and resignations could complicate that effort. With a government shutdown ongoing, too, the administration is threatening more layoffs.
Policy
Report: Government needs a sweeping anti-scam strategy to counter modern fraud
Though many federal agencies have fraud-prevention responsibilities, no one agency has the authority to coordinate such efforts.
Digital Government
Class action lawsuit alleges data consolidation within USCIS is illegal
Plaintiffs represented by a coalition of advocacy groups have argued that drawing searchable data from other government agencies into a system maintained by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services “far exceed” that system’s scope.
Digital Government
Trump administration knocks out at least 15 oversight websites, saying IGs 'lied to the public'
It's not a shutdown issue: the White House is withholding funds from the umbrella organization for the government's inspectors general.
Digital Government
A shutdown will slow tech modernization, experts warn
Even after a shutdown ends, restarting stalled IT work doesn’t happen immediately.
Artificial Intelligence
White House seeks industry input as it crafts “anti-woke” AI guidelines
Critics have said that the July executive order on “woke” AI could chill free speech, despite the administration’s stated focus on protecting it.
Digital Government
Democratic report: DOGE is risking Americans’ data by operating outside federal law
A report released by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., said a lack of restrictions on DOGE employees’ collection of sensitive data can result “in serious cybersecurity vulnerabilities, privacy violations, and risk of corruption.”
Acquisition
GSA launches second phase of FedRAMP 20x backed by OMB
This next step in overhauling the federal government’s cloud security authorization program will pilot authorizations at the Moderate security level.
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People
The Interior Department is taking steps to implement layoffs
After a series of delays, DOI is preparing RIF lists as it looks to implement significant personnel cuts in the coming weeks.
Digital Government
IRS announces the phased end of paper check refunds
The Trump White House set a Sept. 30 deadline for the Treasury Department to stop cutting paper checks, although the IRS said it will still be issuing a “limited number” of checks where there is no alternative option.
Artificial Intelligence
OPM adds OpenAI to its employees’ computers
The government’s personnel agency is taking advantage of the General Services Administration’s OneGov deal with OpenAI.
Artificial Intelligence
State Department hopes to use agentic AI to assist employee tasks, CIO says
That kind of autonomous action would go beyond the current capabilities of the agency’s AI chatbot, StateChat.
People
Democrats launch ethics investigation into AI and crypto czar David Sacks
Sacks’ role as a special government employee limits him to a 130-day period of service within a single year.
Modernization
DOGE caucus co-chair says the cost-cutting unit’s work will continue
Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said he is focused on using data to weed out fraud across the government.
People
Agriculture taps DOGE associate as its tech lead, reassigning previous CIO
Sam Berry, who’s been at USDA for months as part of the Department of Government Efficiency, is the agency's new chief information officer.
Digital Government
Senate Finance Chair wants details from SSA following whistleblower allegations of data endangerment
Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, says he has reviewed information from SSA’s former chief data officer alleging that DOGE put sensitive agency information at risk. Now he wants information from the agency itself.
Exclusive
Modernization
Stephen Ehikian says GSA is primed for a ‘build back’ phase after his departure
The former acting head of GSA is now working at enterprise AI company C3 AI, which sees growing opportunity for federal, state and local business.
People
SSA announces leadership team light on government experience
The agency’s new leadership roster — announced alongside a reorganization plan sources say is short on details — is intended to bring a fresh perspective into SSA, its commissioner said. Critics argue they lack the expertise usually required of most agency leaders.
People