The Consequences of a Washington Internet Power Grab
As commissioners with the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission, respectively, we are disturbed to see our agencies on a collision course that could disrupt the country’s thriving Internet providers and businesses, with little or no added benefit for consumers. As the Internet brings greater efficiencies and benefits to the U.S. economy, some regulators […]
U.S. officials are scrambling: Massive data breach exposes federal employees
Chinese hackers have caused a massive data breach in U.S. government computer networks, placing the entire federal workforce at risk. Data from the Office of Personnel Management, which is essentially the human resources department for the federal government, as well as the Interior Department have been accessed by foreign hackers, the Department of Homeland Security […]
Baltimore Police used secret technology to track cellphones in thousands of cases
The Baltimore Police Department has used an invasive and controversial cellphone tracking device thousands of times in recent years while following instructions from the FBI to withhold information about it from prosecutors and judges, a detective revealed in court testimony Wednesday. The testimony shows for the first time how frequently city police are using a […]
Obama turns focus to Internet security, privacy
President Barack Obama will highlight plans next week to protect American consumers and businesses from cyber threats, a month after the most high-profile hacking attack on a U.S. company. Internet security became a national focus after a cyberattack on Sony Pictures that Washington blamed on North Korea. The attack and subsequent threats of violence […]
National Weather Service alerts headed to smartphones
Live in an area prone to tornadoes, flash floods, hurricanes, extreme wind, ice storms, and the like? Your smartphone can’t change the extreme weather, but it can alert you to it. Live in an area prone to flash floods, hurricanes, blizzards? Smartphone users will soon get a severe-weather alert from the National Weather Service, a […]
Scared of Anonymous? NSA chief says you should be
Anonymous has so far plied its trade in “hactivist” exploits. But according to the director of the National Security Agency, it might soon turn its focus to U.S. infrastructure. According to the Wall side road magazine, bringing up sources, Gen. Keith Alexander has said in private conferences on the White area and in other places […]
FBI seeks social media monitoring tool
In a move that’s unlikely to sit well with privacy advocates, the FBI has begun scouting for a tool that will allow it to gather and mine data from social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. The objective is to use the software to stay on most sensible of breaking occasions, incidents and emerging threats, […]
Stop Online Piracy Act Vote Delayed
The House Judiciary Committee considering whether to send the Stop Online Piracy Act to the House floor abruptly adjourned Friday with no new vote date set — a surprise given that the bill looked certain to pass out of committee. The committee’s chairman and chief sponsor of the legislation, Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), agreed to […]