Digital Government

NOAA Aligns Cloud and Data Strategies With Administration Priorities

The new strategies meld with three existing science and technology-focused documents, as well as incorporating priorities from the White House’s cloud and data policies.

Ideas

Facial Recognition Is Here But We Have No Laws

Without legal safeguards, this technology will undermine democratic values and fundamental rights.

Digital Government

Coronavirus Fraudsters Keep Prosecutors Busy

State AGs track millions in false loan and unemployment claims.

Ideas

Dashboard Displays COVID-19 Disparities by County

Although COVID-19 has swept across the entire country, its burden has not been spread equally.

Cybersecurity

Senate Defense Authorization Amendment Looks to Advance More Secure Software Procurement

Defense officials would outline requirements and procedures with implications for all the federal government.

Cybersecurity

CISA Stands to Gain Powers Under Both Versions of the Defense Authorization Bill

An amendment on the Senate-side bill would grant the agency subpoena power over internet service providers.

Digital Government

House Committee Investigates Whether Officials Misled Congress on OPM-GSA Merger

A recent watchdog group report cited notes from a phone call indicating the Trump administration was advised that the merger plan was illegal, an account that is at odds with what OPM officials testified before Congress last year.

Emerging Tech

House Subcommittee Again Takes Aim at Amazon over Ring Surveillance

The subcommittee wants assurances from Amazon that its Ring doorbell camera isn’t being misused by law enforcement.

Digital Government

New Legislation Would Increase Oversight Over Agency Relocations

Measure would require federal officials to conduct detailed cost-benefit analyses and provide them to inspectors general and the public for review before undertaking any effort to move federal agencies.

Policy

Senate Passes Bill to End Payments to Dead People

The bill follows an audit that found the IRS sent $1.4 billion in stimulus checks to deceased individuals.

Digital Government

House Committee Leader Wants Oversight of Pentagon’s Handling of Banned Chinese Gear

One observer says prospects look dim for contractors requesting an extension on compliance with provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act.

Digital Government

What the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Revealing to Federal Chief Data Officers

While some agencies have yet to reveal a chief data officer, others are spinning up new teams, tools and projects to address the global health crisis.

Emerging Tech

Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act

The Deepfake Report Act would require the Homeland Security Department to study the threats posed by manipulated and synthetic media—including text. 

Emerging Tech

Industry Calls on Government to Invest Billions for Developing Secure 5G Networks 

Comments to the NTIA also say the administration shouldn’t choose winners and losers to compete with Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.