Cybersecurity

Police Around the Country Are Distributing Software That Makes It Easier to Hack Your Computer

ComputerCOP is intended to protect children from predators lurking on the Internet, but an investigation finds the program actually makes computers more vulnerable to abuse.

Digital Government

How Big Data Can be Used to Fight Unfair Hiring Practices

Big data may be fraught with peril, but its evangelists say its use could help remedy common—and often unseen—discriminatory behavior. But only if employers really want that.

Modernization

Federal Regulators Force Shutdown of Fake Bitcoin-Mining Operation

At the FTC’s request, a federal court shut down Kansas-based Butterfly Labs, which had charged consumers thousands of dollars for out-of-date bitcoin computers.

Cybersecurity

Home Depot Announces Hackers Stole 56 Million Credit and Debit Cards

The size of the cyberattack exceeds the one that hit Target during last year’s holiday-shopping season.

Digital Government

Congress to Decide Whether to Tax Your Internet

The price of surfing the Web—or buying things online—could soon go up.

Digital Government

Attention, Defense Contractors: You've Been Hacked

China committed about 20 cyberattacks across a year-long period on defense contractors, according to a newly declassified Senate report.

Emerging Tech

FBI's Facial-Recognition Technology Goes Live

Next-gen facial-recognition technology has arrived, despite concerns from privacy groups.

Cybersecurity

Privacy Groups Worry Americans are Losing Their Appetite for NSA Surveillance Reform

A summer of security concerns has complicated the fall push for surveillance legislation.

Digital Government

Bill to Curtail NSA Surveillance Likely on Hold Until After the Election

Legislation to reform the government’s surveillance programs looks destined for a lame-duck session of Congress—and might not get touched at all until next year.

Digital Government

Obama’s Spy Chief Reverses Course, Comes Out in Favor of NSA Reform

In a remarkable shift, James Clapper is now on board with the USA Freedom Act.

Digital Government

Sen. Feinstein Pushes to Delay Release of CIA Torture Report

The classified torture report will come out only on her timeline.

Digital Government

Watchdog: The FBI Spied on the Wrong People Because of Typos

A new inspector general report concludes that the agency has collected communications data on the wrong targets due to typographical errors.

Cybersecurity

Snowden: NSA Caused Massive Internet Blackout in Syria

In a new interview, the fugitive leaker claims the spy agency accidentally took down Syria’s Internet during its prolonged civil war.

Digital Government

Russia Grants Edward Snowden 3 More Years of Safe Harbor

The fugitive leaker will be able to travel abroad and in five years apply for Russian citizenship, according to his lawyer.

Modernization

The Republican Party Loves Uber

Touting the ride-share service as a beacon of free-market innovation, Republicans launched a “support Uber” petition Wednesday.

Digital Government

It's Official: There Is a New Edward Snowden

The U.S. government has confirmed that there is another leaker of surveillance secrets, according to CNN.

Digital Government

The No-Fly List Has Grown Tenfold Since Obama Took Office

Newly disclosed classified documents reveal an enormous growth in terrorist watch lists during the Obama administration.

Digital Government

Ron Paul: Bring Edward Snowden Home

With Snowden’s asylum in Russia in limbo, the former House member is pushing for the clemency option.

Cybersecurity

CIA Admits to Improperly Hacking Senate Computers

In a sharp and sudden reversal, the CIA is acknowledging it improperly tapped into the computers of Senate staffers who were reviewing the intelligence agency’s Bush-era torture practices.