Senate Report says US Government Lacks Comprehensive Data on Ransomware
According to a new Senate report by the US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the US lacks comprehensive data regarding ransomware attacks. This includes details such as financial losses both in ransom payments and to companies while suffering from the attack and attempting to remedy the effects.
Senators Introduce Bill to Help Agencies Counter Deepfakes and Deceptive Media
Another bill that aims to counter deepfakes and deceptive media has been introduced in the Senate. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee leaders have looked to form a new federal task force that would seek to set standards and deploy technologies that would determine the origins of digital content
Senate Bills Aim to Grow Federal Tech-Ready Workforce—and the Government’s Transparency About its AI Use
Two new proposals have been introduced to the Senate that aim to accelerate the study, fielding, and purchase of artificial intelligence capabilities across different government agencies and the military. The legislation also looks to ensure that the government is transparent about its deployments of the technology, which can be contentious
US Court system demands massive changes to court documents after SolarWinds hack
The House Homeland Security Committee has demanded more transparency on what court officials know about the SolarWinds hackers’ access to sensitive filings. The effects of the massive espionage operation could make accessing documents harder for lawyers, the lawmakers say. The Senators are seeking more information about the attackers’ infiltration of
Senate Bill Would Expand Facial-Recognition Restrictions Nationwide
A new bill that is currently in the process of moving through the Senate aims to expand restrictions on the use of facial recognition technology after critics claimed the technology could have biases against gender, race, and ethnicity. The bill’s introduction comes as police departments across the US are being
Senators Introduce Deepfake-Focused Amendment to Defense Authorization Act
Recently, bipartisan legislation called the Deepfake Report Act was introduced and passed through the Senate. The legislation aims to address challenges posed by deepfakes and ensure election and national security threats are mitigated. The manipulated videos could post serious threats to politicians, as individuals can create videos that appear to
Bill Proposes Restructuring NSF and $100B to Focus on Tech
On Wednesday, bipartisan legislation was introduced by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer D-NY that would restructure the National Science Foundation (NSF) with $100 billion in funding to focus on emerging technology. The act would provide funding to the organization over the next five years and would rename the institution the
Senator Wants Details on Clearview AI’s Contact Tracing Pitches
Over the past few months, Clearview AI has faced scrutiny over privacy and anonymity in its practices. The facial recognition startup stirred concerns over its practices in supplying biometric surveillance tools to law enforcement. The company is now allegedly marketing its technology to the government as a COVID-19 tracking tool
Senate passes bill banning government purchases of Huawei gear
On Thursday, the Senate unanimously approved legislation that would prohibit government agencies from purchasing equipment made by companies considered to be a threat to national security, like the Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE. The legislation specifically focuses on telecommunications equipment, barring the FCC from using funds to help carriers purchase
Senators Call for a Moratorium on Government’s Use of Facial Recognition
Democratic Senators Cory Booker and Jeff Merkley have proposed the Ethical Use of Facial Recognition Act, aiming to stop the federal government from using the technology until Congress passes legislation that regulates the industry. The senators stated that without proper oversight, facial recognition technology poses a serious risk to citizens’