Modernization
IRS Reforms Free File Program, Drops Agreement Not to Compete With TurboTax
The changes come after ProPublica’s reporting showed how TurboTax maker Intuit tricked customers into paying for tax prep they could have gotten for free.
Emerging Tech
'Dark Patterns' Trick You into Spending More Online
There's a reason a website tells you how many other shoppers are looking at the same item you are.
Digital Government
New Functionality on the Way for FedBizOpps Replacement
The team managing the transition from FedBizOpps to SAM.gov says it plans to restore key capabilities, such as email alerts.
Digital Government
Report: Trump Administration Has Made Significant Changes to LGBTQ Content on Federal Websites
Language, resources and content have been changed since January 2017.
Digital Government
Users Had to Wait a Little Longer for GSA’s FedBizOpps Replacement
FedBizOpps migrated to SAM.gov Contract Opportunities over the weekend but a slow site and data migration issues made for some disgruntled users.
Digital Government
Agencies Are Sending Better Data to USASpending But Still Have Room for Improvement, GAO Says
Confusion over data standards, process and transparency remain.
Modernization
Digital First
Federal agencies are ditching paper processes to better serve citizens—and each other.
Modernization
More Vets Are Taking Advantage of Digital Services Through New VA.gov
One year in, the relaunch of VA.gov seems to have resulted in more veterans access digital services.
Policy
Federal Lawmakers Push '.Gov' Web Addresses For Local Governments
A new U.S. Senate bill comes amid concerns that online criminals can “spoof” the public with fake government websites.
Digital Government
Not Everyone Will Be Posting Opportunities to the FedBizOpps Replacement
Shifting to a new platform with new data structures is difficult, and not all contracting offices will be able to make the change by Nov. 12.
Ideas
5 Milestones that Created the Internet, 50 Years After the First Network Message
Will 2019 events become a turning point for the internet?
Cybersecurity
Stealthy Tool Detects Malware in Javascript
A new open-source tool called VisibleV8 allows users to track and record the behavior of JavaScript programs without alerting the websites that run those programs.
Modernization
GSA, FCC Exploring New Ways to Combat Comment Bots and Abusers
Federal agencies want to stop fake and impersonated comments during the rulemaking process.
Digital Government
Efforts to Reform Federal Hiring Already Showing Results
Administration officials said that performing pass-fail interviews earlier in the hiring process led to a faster turnaround, better candidates and more hires from public job announcements.
Modernization
FedBizOpps Will Be Retired After Veterans Day Weekend
The public repository of federal contracting opportunities will be migrated to a central procurement website following a weekend-long “data freeze.”
Modernization
Inside TurboTax’s 20-Year Fight to Stop Americans From Filing Their Taxes for Free
The success of TurboTax relies on whether the U.S. government makes tax filing simple and free for most citizens.
Modernization
IRS-Funded Review Confirms TurboTax Hid Free Filing From Search Engines, but Says There’s No Need for Major Changes
The review did not recommend sweeping changes
Modernization
Million Veterans Program is Now Open for Online Enrollment
Veterans who opt-in to sharing their DNA through the program have the opportunity to support medical discoveries and health improvements across future generations.
Modernization
GSA Opens Bids on Commercial e-Marketplace
The project—which has been called “Amazon for government”—will start with a proof-of-concept with two or more vendors.
Modernization