Ideas
Teens Want COVID-19 Advice that Gives Them Safe Ways to Socialize – Not Just Rules for What They Can’t Do
As the pandemic continues, public health messaging will have to help young people find ways to socialize safely and speak to them in their language and on their platforms.
Cybersecurity
Commerce Department to Bar TikTok, WeChat from U.S. App Stores
The Commerce Department announced a list of prohibitions meant to protect U.S. national security against the two Chinese-owned apps.
Modernization
Survey: Most Teleworking Federal Employees Expect to Remain Home for At Least Six More Months
Many more feds say COVID-19 is having little impact on operations than at pandemic outset.
Digital Government
Trump Administration Appeals Block on Census Immigration Plan
Experts have been skeptical about the feasibility of the plan to identify people living here illegally.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence Commission Pushes New Programs to Recruit Tech-Savvy Talent into DOD
Adopting emerging technologies will also need a top-down push and restructured leadership, according to National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence recommendations.
Cybersecurity
FBI Fights Intellectual Property Theft from University Offices
Director Christopher Wray noted the importance of attribution in the bureau’s strategy amid growing difficulty investigating cyber crime.
Emerging Tech
Steering Committee Named for NIST’s Quantum-Focused, Public-Private Consortium
The announcement also follows the group’s establishment of a new, more formal membership structure.
Digital Government
Employers in D.C. Region Expect Some Remote Work Into Mid-2021, Survey Finds
About 60% of respondents anticipated less than a third of workers would return to the office by early September because of coronavirus risks. Some are planning for a portion of staff to still be working remotely even next summer.
Policy
Bill Would Prompt USDA Intelligence Office to Probe Foreign Threats to America’s Agriculture
The legislation comes amid reports of Americans receiving and planting unsolicited “mystery seeds” reportedly arriving from China.
Artificial Intelligence
Defense Innovation Board Adopts AI Testing, Digital Workforce Recruitment Resolutions
The board pushed the department to embrace remote work beyond the pandemic as a tool to attract more civilian talent.
Cybersecurity
Justice Department Charges 5 Chinese Nationals with Hacking More than 100 Companies
Two Malaysian businessmen also were arrested in Malaysia and face extradition in related charges.
Digital Government
Calls for Investigations, Resignations Ramp Up Over Allegations of Political Interference at Federal Agencies
Democrats are probing potential improper political influence at several different agencies across government.
Ideas
Strict Distancing Keeps Your COVID Risk Much Lower
Using public transportation, visiting a place of worship, or otherwise traveling from the home is associated with a significantly higher likelihood of testing positive, the researchers report.
Cybersecurity
Wanted: Poll Workers Able to Brave the Pandemic
Election officials in many states are anticipating severe shortages of people to run the polls on Nov. 3.
Cybersecurity
What the U.S. Needs to Do to Secure Election 2020
Concerns extend far beyond safeguarding insecure voting machines and questions about voting by mail.
Modernization
Bipartisan House Bill Targets Improving Digital Identity Verification
Lawmakers aim to help confront and curb identity theft through strategic modernization.
Digital Government
House Democrat Seeks to Hold IGs Accountable for Reviewing Agencies’ Reopenings
Most of the watchdog offices contacted by Rep. Connolly plan to conduct some form of review.
Emerging Tech
Bill Would ‘Jumpstart’ Planning Process for Beefing up Border Security Tech
The bill, announced by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, would require the Homeland Security Department to develop a comprehensive border security technology strategy.
Emerging Tech
City Ban on Business Use of Facial Recognition Tech Said to Be a First
Elected leaders in Portland, Oregon approved the measure this week.
Digital Government