Does your local government need a stance on generative AI? Boston encourages staff’s “responsible experimentation,” Seattle’s interim policy outlines cautions, and King County considers what responsible generative AI use might be.
The legislative package would give consumers the right to opt out of sharing their data, requiring tech giants like Amazon, Google and Facebook to disclose when and if they are collecting users’ personal data.
The pullback of Twitter’s blue check marks led to the quick rise of fake accounts spreading lies about public services and officials. What comes next, and how can state and local governments deal with this new reality?
The state Department of Health announced that unauthorized access to approximately 3,400 death records occurred on Jan. 20. The agency says that no death certificates were accessed or generated.
The state Legislature has continued its use of virtual sessions to allow virtual participation in the legislative process. But as Zoombombing occurrences have increased in recent weeks, some are reconsidering the access.
The school district revealed that thousands of student records, including some of current students, were posted to the dark web as the result of a recent cyber attack. The information included driver’s license and social security numbers.
The second-largest appraisal district in the state struggled for 72 days after their computers, emails and website were hacked on Election Day. The district is now increasing its cybersecurity safeguards.
Private companies and corporations can much more easily ban workers from using TikTok on work-issued devices than government agencies. But it’s unlikely an employer could ban an employee from using the platform entirely.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials released 3,000 immigrants after accidentally posting personal data of more than 6,000 immigrants onto the agency’s website last November. Those still in custody will have their cases reviewed.
The massively popular platform owned by the Beijing-based company ByteDance, has already been banned on government-owned devices in several U.S. states because of security concerns.
The Legislature’s auditing firm found “significant weaknesses in several security control areas” across the 20 government agencies that were audited, putting the state at greater risk of cyber attacks and other security incidents.
Republican State House Rep. Jared Patterson has introduced a bill that would block residents under the age of 18 from creating a profile on social media sites, citing mental health and self-harm concerns.
Nearly 1,700 state and local entities purchased tech targeted under the FCC’s ban between 2015 and 2021. A new rule lets existing tools stay, but reduces future availability, potentially leading to costlier procurements in the name of national security.
Public-sector technology work is a force multiplier for improving the lives of residents nationwide. That's important to keep in mind, especially in the face of news like unrelenting cyber attacks and workforce woes.
Gov. Larry Hogan has barred executive agencies from using the social media platform and other “Chinese and Russian-influenced products and platforms” due to cybersecurity risks, according to an emergency directive.
Auditors revealed that the cyber attack led to money being misappropriated but that port officials have been able to recover approximately $250,000 through insurance so far. The agency has since received federal aid to boost security.
