Cybersecurity

Barr Calls For An End to ‘Warrant-Proof’ Encryption

The attorney general railed against the tech during a speech in New York City, reinvigorating a debate that’s long rankled law enforcement officials and the tech community.

Policy

Figuring Out How to Go After International Robocallers

The FCC will vote on a proposed rule next month that would ban malicious caller ID spoofing for text messages and robocalls that originate outside the United States. State attorneys general have long requested federal assistance with complaints about robocallers from out of the country.

Modernization

How an Agriculture App that Spills the Dirt on Soil Got a Second Life

The department’s barebones SoilWeb app grew a following until app stores changed their rules in 2017. Now it’s back.

Digital Government

Improving Transit Through Lyft and Uber? More Agencies Are Paying for Ride-Hailing Rides

Experts and transit leaders say that there could be real benefits to working with ride-hailing companies. But data is needed to assess how successful these programs really are.

Emerging Tech

The Gig Economy’s Storage Hustle

A startup called Neighbor bills itself as an “Airbnb for storage,” allowing hosts to rent out their empty sheds, closets and basements for other people’s stuff.

Modernization

Digital Driver’s Licenses Could Become a Real Option in Some States

Several states have run pilots for digital driver’s licenses, which would allow residents to supplement plastic ID cards with smartphone apps. But as the technology becomes more of a reality, experts are worried about the privacy implications.

Ideas

What Would 5G Technology Mean For Government?

The next big leap forward for cellular phone service is approaching.

Cybersecurity

Researchers Show How to Send Fake Presidential Alerts To Your Phone

Your phone’s thirst for a better signal leaves it open to bogus messages, new research shows.

Digital Government

Google Maps Wants to Help You Navigate During Natural Disasters

The app will offer crisis navigation warnings and provide detailed visual information about hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Modernization

In Kansas, Using an App to Streamline DMV Registrations

The state launched the iKan app as a way to make it easier for residents to renew driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations. A state official said it also ended up generating new revenue.

Digital Government

Are Drug Deals Via Text the Key to the Murder Decline?

A new study finds that cell phones played a significant role in reducing homicides in big cities by limiting face-to-face contact.

Ideas

Federal Data is Exploding at the Edge. Is It Secure?

Mobility means the government needs to be able to lock down information, retrieve it back, encrypt it—even after it’s already been sent.

Emerging Tech

New CIO Wants to Make HHS a Testbed for Budding Tech

Jose Arrieta has been chief information officer for less than a week but he’s reimagining what the role could be.

Modernization

The President’s Office Is Hiring An App Developer

The single-award contract will cover the entire lifecycle of development and maintenance for all apps used by the Executive Office of the President.

Cybersecurity

Security Firm Says Huawei, ZTE Devices Still Run on Government Networks

About 4,000 devices are operating on federal, state and local public sector networks, according to security firm Forescout.

Emerging Tech

You May Be Ready for Vacation, But Is Your Phone?

It takes more than making sure you have the right charger and cords to make your devices ready to travel.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers Want to Ban Warrantless Device Searches at the Border

Sens. Ron Wyden and Rand Paul introduced a bill that would curb law enforcement’s extensive authority over personal data at the border.

Emerging Tech

ICE Seeks Tech To Track Electronic Devices—Even Through Time

Immigration and Customs Enforcement is soliciting for a cloud-based system that can geolocate devices using multiple sources, including apps.