People

OPM rescinds guidance after ruling on workforce orders

The federal government's HR agency withdrew portions of guidance issued in response to President Trump's three workforce executive orders after they were invalidated by a district court ruling.

Digital Government

DOJ to expand data-sharing with tribal governments

The Justice Department looks to add more Native American tribal governments, including law enforcement and civil programs, to its efforts to open up access to its national crime database resources.

Cybersecurity

DOJ backtracks on linking OPM hack to fraud case

The Justice Department acknowledged that a news release connecting a fraud case with the massive data theft of employee data at OPM was "premature."

Modernization

Jamming tech targets illicit comms behind prison walls

Federal law enforcement is encouraged after a successful test of technology that could electronically jam commercial mobile phones smuggled into prisons.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers seek standardized national encryption policy

A push on Capitol Hill looks to preempt a possible patchwork of data encryption policies varying from state to state.

Digital Government

Senate Dems push administration on Census director

The Census Bureau has been without a confirmed director for almost a year, and 21 Senate Democrats are urging Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to put forward a qualified candidate.

Digital Government

Oversight chairman agrees to subpoena DOJ after census hearing no-show

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee chair Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) is moving to subpoena the Department of Justice after the head of its Civil Rights Division skipped a hearing on the 2020 census.

Modernization

Implementation plans for new cross-border data law remain cloudy

A month after its passage, we still don’t know which foreign countries would be able to access U.S.-based communications data under the CLOUD Act or when companies can reject their requests. Neither does Congress.

Digital Government

FOIA advisers push for more proactive disclosure

A federal advisory committee wants agencies build Freedom of Information Act responsiveness into acquisition and tech plans.

Modernization

How will the CLOUD Act work?

The U.S. recently updated how it handles federal law enforcement data requests for foreign info stored by U.S. companies, but the full impact remains unclear.

Cybersecurity

U.S. indicts Iranian hackers

The Departments of Justice and Treasury announced indictments and sanctions for an Iranian company and 10 individuals for stealing billions of dollars in research and intellectual property from universities in the United States and around the world.

Modernization

CLOUD Act set to pass in omnibus

Congress is poised to pass legislation that will have big implications for cross-border data sharing, law enforcement investigations and data privacy.

Digital Government

How transparent is FOIA?

The DOJ recently launched a one-stop shop to centralize the submissions of Freedom of Information Act requests, but senators on both sides of the aisle have issues with how little information agencies are releasing.

Digital Government

DOJ launches one-stop shop for FOIA requests

The Department of Justice launched a one-stop shop for users to submit online Freedom of Information Act requests across government.

Modernization

Could SCOTUS break the cloud?

In oral arguments on a critical data access case, the Supreme Court justices examined whether a 1986 communications privacy statute can be adapted to cloud computing.

Modernization

Cloud vendors eye key Supreme Court case

Microsoft is defending a case involving a 1986 law that will have consequences for cloud vendors and law enforcement no matter how it turns out.

Digital Government

State officials get classified briefings on election security

National intelligence and homeland security officials briefed state officials and private-sector stakeholders about election cybersecurity threats.

Cybersecurity

Russian troll farm indictment could boost social media legislation

The indictment of 13 Russian nationals accused of online and offline activity designed to interfere with the 2016 election may boost the fortunes of a bill to strengthen disclosure rules around online political ads.

Cybersecurity

ATF ballistics database would get budget bump

An underused national ballistics database would get a shot in the arm under the administration's FY19 budget proposal.

People

DOJ's Kevin Deeley passes away

The Justice Department's hard-working, award-winning Deputy CIO died over the weekend, the agency confirmed.