Artificial Intelligence

House Dems join push to create AI-focused civil rights offices across government

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., would require that federal agencies “utilizing, funding or overseeing AI” establish civil rights offices to address algorithmic bias.

People

Employee group urges centralized response to increase in doxxing and threats against federal workers

The Department of Justice Gender Equality Network urged department leadership to create a centralized “triage” team to better tackle instances where members of the public doxx or threaten employees online.

Cybersecurity

US charges 2 with running 'Anonymous Sudan' hacking group

Multiple firms, including Amazon, CrowdStrike and Microsoft, aided the Justice Department in efforts that took down Anonymous Sudan’s main tooling in March.

Cybersecurity

DOJ, Microsoft disrupt Russian hackers targeting civil society orgs

The group, likely linked to Russia’s Federal Security Service, has focused on stealing credentials from NGOs and think tanks around the world.

Cybersecurity

US charges Iranian operatives with hacking Trump campaign

The allegations come 38 days before the November presidential election, as the U.S. has worked to stave off foreign adversaries’ attempts to sow discord into the election process.

Cybersecurity

5 Russian military hackers plotted to spread malware to Ukraine through a US company, new charges say

The hackers also tried to target a federal agency based in Maryland, the Justice Department alleges.

Updated Cybersecurity

US says Russia conducted sustained disinformation campaign to sway 2024 election

The Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing two Russian state media employees of contributing to the election influence efforts.

Acquisition

DOJ suit claims Georgia Tech ‘knowingly failed’ to meet cyber standards for DOD contracts

The Justice Department has joined onto a whistleblower lawsuit filed by two senior staffers on Georgia Tech’s cybersecurity compliance team that was filed in 2022.

Artificial Intelligence

Justice broadens its AI data analysis abilities to process video, redact info

An expanded contract with AI software firm Veritone will allow the Department of Justice to streamline unstructured data for limited requested public access and investigative efforts.

Cybersecurity

US accuses Russian national of helping deploy malware on Ukrainian government computers

The alleged hacker used U.S. computer infrastructure to distribute the infamous “WhisperGate” malware into Ukrainian systems.

Digital Government

DOJ launches CX-focused initiative

The first project in the new push is focusing on improving the portals Americans use to report crimes to the Department of Justice.

Artificial Intelligence

DOJ charges ex-Google employee with theft of AI trade secrets

Ex-Google software engineer Leon Ding allegedly funneled research and confidential information from his employer to China-based companies.

Digital Government

Feds move to make gov websites more accessible to people with disabilities

It’s the first time the federal government has ever issued rules clarifying how the more than 30-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act applies online. But the new rules come with a hefty price tag for state and local governments.

Cybersecurity

US accuses Chinese hackers of 14-year campaign targeting government officials

The coordinated charges include sanctions on Chinese government-affiliated hackers and an up to $10 million reward for information about the defendants.

People

DOJ names its first chief AI officer

The new role is intended to focus on building a tech-ready workforce and interagency cooperation.

Cybersecurity

US, international partners disrupt LockBit ransomware operations

Officials have also developed a tool for victims targeted by LockBit to potentially decrypt their compromised data.

Cybersecurity

FBI disrupts botnet controlled by Russian security services

The news comes just weeks after the U.S. announced it went on the offensive against a China-linked botnet operation.

Cybersecurity

US disrupts China-linked cyber campaign impacting critical infrastructure, Justice officials say

The hackers infected privately owned small office/home office routers to conceal the origins of their intrusions into critical infrastructure systems.

Artificial Intelligence

Stop funding predictive policing tech without ‘evidence standards,’ lawmakers tell DOJ

Seven Democrats are urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to cease grant funding for predictive policing systems until DOJ ensures they are not having “a discriminatory impact.”

Ideas

The government’s FOIA policy changes are adding to work levels and requests — but e-Discovery can help

Federal agencies received a record-high number of requests in fiscal year 2022, and FOIA backlogs are growing.