Digital Government
United Nations approves controversial cybercrime treaty
Last week, the United Nations voted to adopt a new cybercrime convention applying to all member states, drawing ire from civil society groups over data privacy risks.
What should agencies consider for their remote work plans?
A new memo from OPM Acting Director Robert Shriver details specific factors agency leaders should consider when designing their remote work strategy for the federal workforce.
Lawmakers look to extend COVID-19 telehealth med exemption for veterans
A bipartisan House bill would allow VA clinicians to prescribe veterans with controlled medications through the targeted extension of a pandemic-era waiver.
IRS program to assist poor taxpayers rarely picks up the phone
TIGTA investigators were unable to leave a message at 16 local Taxpayer Advocate Service offices because their voicemail boxes were full.
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Benefits.gov to shutter in September
The Labor Department’s benefits-focused website dates back to 2002.
Education says a new system will help borrowers — lawmakers aren’t so sure
“This new system lacks transparency,” four senators told the Department of Education.
Acting Secret Service head suggests that better tech could have thwarted would-be Trump assassin
Ronald Rowe Jr. told a Senate panel that additional cellular bandwidth and the use of counter-drone technology could have averted the attempted assassination of former President Trump.
Senate Democrats push an accessibility refresh
A new bill would revamp the decades old law requiring the government be accessible online, where many agencies are still falling short
Malicious foreign actors exploit US entities to push disinformation, IC warns
Communications and marketing firms can be pulled in as unwitting collaborators, the intelligence officials noted in a Monday call.
The White House thinks better tech could speed up permitting
The White House’s Council on Environmental Quality says in a new, congressionally mandated report that better tech could help the permitting process, but it's unclear whether new efforts are in the offing.
OMB touts 'time tax' reductions for government services
Sam Berger, associate administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, spoke with Nextgov/FCW about progress made and what’s next.
VA pushes vets to Login-dot-gov or ID-dot-me for online access
VA said the change is estimated to affect approximately 3 million veterans, and phases out two legacy identity options currently supported by the agency for online access.
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VA unable to collect over $665M in revenue because of tool suspension, OIG says
VA paused its use of a tool that consolidates community care data in February 2023 “after becoming aware of issues with its database code logic and of compromised stored data.”
SSA transitions online accounts to Login-dot-gov for sign in
The agency said the change will affect individuals who created “my Social Security” accounts through its website before September 18, 2021.
As GSA turns 75, one of its leading technologists reflects on the agency's mission
Ann Lewis, director of the Technology Transformation Services, talks implementation, money and more.
Jobless aid programs get a facelift under a bipartisan Senate proposal
The bill responds to asks from the oversight community, in addition to instituting requirements for states administering the funds.
DHS selects 6 digital wallet startups for identity security contracts
The agency aims to facilitate more ways to comply with travel document requirements while safeguarding U.S. citizen privacy.
Lawmakers want VA to report on its use of automation to process benefits claims
The legislative proposal seeks to enhance VA’s adoption of new technologies, including providing lawmakers with “a timeline for modifying and implementing the use of such automation tools” in the benefits claims process.
Supreme Court sides with Biden admin over contact with social media firms
The decision now lifts potential legal burdens on federal agencies’ communications with social media companies about disinformation on their platforms.
House pivots on data privacy bill, removing algorithmic discrimination coverage
The intended final draft of the American Privacy Rights Act includes new language on biometric data and data on minors, but notably removes civil rights protections sought by privacy advocates.
