Digital Government

Federal Action is Needed to Protect Consumer Data, New Report Says

The Government Accountability Office said Congress should enact ‘comprehensive legislative changes’ to address privacy issues around the collection and use of personal data.

Policy

Senate Dems call on ICE to halt facial recognition and buying from data brokers

Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) are also pressing the immigration enforcement agency to detail their use of surveillance technologies.

Digital Government

FTC Debates Whether Data Privacy Concerns Warrant Market Wide Rules

A Thursday hearing on the matter featured both industry and consumer advocate perspectives on the best regulatory approach.

Digital Government

Lawmakers Ask for Info on Meta’s Data Privacy Policies

Concern on Capitol Hill continues to rise about reproductive data and big tech following Roe v. Wade’s overturn.

Cybersecurity

NIST to Launch New Guidance on Security Risks of Telehealth and Smart Home Integration

The agency notes that “user experience” improvements may come with less control over privacy and security.

Digital Government

Statistical Uncertainty Could be Problematic for Evidence-Based Policies, Study Finds

Certain privacy measures, as well as general data errors, can skew funding allocations derived from census information.

Cybersecurity

FTC sues location data collector, alleging lax security

The Federal Trade Commission is going after data broker Kochava over its practice of selling “sensitive geolocation data.”

Digital Government

FCC Probe Reveals Mobile Carriers’ Data Management Practices are ‘All Over the Map’

The last time the FCC investigated mobile carriers’ practices regarding location data, it resulted in fines Jessica Rosenworcel—now chair of the commission—said were unjustly meager.

Digital Government

FTC Sues Location Data Collector, Alleging Lax Security

The Federal Trade Commission is going after data broker Kochava over its practice of selling “sensitive geolocation data.”

Cybersecurity

Capitol Hill Takes Aim at Twitter Following Whistleblower Complaint

The allegation of rampant security failures on Twitter’s platform prompted lawmakers to double down on data handling practices.

Emerging Tech

FTC Considering New Data Privacy Regulations That Go Beyond Asking Users for Consent

Commissioners are split on whether new regulations—and even the act of gathering information on a proposed new regulation—is the right way forward.

Digital Government

Law Enforcement Purchase of Consumer Data Draws Congressional Scrutiny

Democrat lawmakers addressed seven federal law enforcement agencies for documentation of how often data was procured outside formal legal channels.

Policy

What does the federal government buy from data brokers?

The chairmen of two House committees want federal agencies to explain what they are doing with "billions of data points on hundreds of millions of Americans" acquired from data brokers.

Digital Government

FTC Contemplates Rules to Protect Against Commercial Surveillance and Lax Data Privacy

The Commission voted Thursday to issue a notice of their proposed rulemaking and solicit public comment.

Emerging Tech

The U.S. Army Is Hunting For More Soldier-Connected Tech

A recent solicitation calls for soldier-centered networking and information technology that will link existing and prototype technologies together.

Digital Government

Can a Fitness App Ease the Military’s Recruitment Crisis?

App gives recruiters a tool to monitor how their recruits are shaping up before shipping out.

Emerging Tech

NSF Invests $25.4M into Cybersecurity and Privacy Research Projects

The National Science Foundation’s Secure and Trustworthy Cyberspace program is one of the agency’s largest research initiatives.

Digital Government

Audits of CBP’s Facial Recognition Partners ‘Vital to Building Trust,’ Lawmaker Says

The agency has “a ways to go” in auditing facial recognition partners for privacy and security, a watchdog noted.