Author Archives: admin

+1 Local Gov. Bans Facial Recognition Software = Legislative Pressure

Where: Sommerville, Mass. What: City Council unanimously banned the use of facial recognition software Why is this a legislative issue? Sommerville is the 2nd city after San Francisco to ban the technology Calls are on full-time legislatures to pass statewide bans on the software How is the issue being messaged? “…dystopian technology further outpaces our civil […]

Lege TREND. Internet Service Provider Privacy Requirements. +1 State.

State: Maine

The legislation: LD 946 (2019 | ME)

What does Maine’s LD 946 do?

  • applies only to internet service providers
  • requires ISPS to get express consent from customers before the customer’s data or information can be sold, disclosed or accessed

What do opponents say? The bill does not go far enough because many other companies like Google and Facebook collect mountains of data that should also be protected.

Central Maine | Maine Compass: Privacy bill doesn’t go far enough

Lege TREND. Disclosure of Election Hacks. Disclosure, Good for the Goose & the Gander?

The legislation: Congress’ Achieving Lasting Electoral Reforms on Transparency and Security Act (ALERTS Act)

The government disclosure requirement: 

  • Disclosue to state and local officials and Members of Congress i
  • Disclose credible evidence of an unauthorized intrusion into an election system
  • If they have a reasonable basis to believe that such intrusion could have resulted in voter information being altered or otherwise affected.
  • Rquires state & local officials to alert potentially…

Lege TREND. Prohibiting Loot Boxes. Wait, What's a Loot Box?

A loot box is an incentive for gamers that  “give users a nominal advantage for a fee or loot boxes which allow users to essentially play a slot machine for gaining rare or important items

What’s wrong with this? Gateway drug for gambling

Who is first out of the gate with legislation? US Senator Hawley (MO)

Senator Hawley | Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Legislation on Pay-to-Win and Loot Boxes

TechCrunch  | The US Senate is coming after loot boxes 

Anatomy of an "Aggressive" Cybersecurity Measure by the Razorbacks

Where: Arkansas

The legislation: Senate Bill 632 (2019 | AR)

What does SB632 do?

  • Creates the Cyber Initiative
  • Housed within the Economic Development Commission
  • mitigate the cyber-risks to Arkansas
  • increase education relative to threats and defense
  • provide the public and private sectors with threat assessments and other intelligence
  • foster growth and development around tech, IT and defense
  • create a “cyber alliance” made up of partnerships with a variety of insitutitions like…

Regulatory TREND. What do I need to know about Active Cyber Defense?

Active Cyber Defense uses private sector cyber bounty hunters and hackers  to protect critical infrastructure.

Who is behind this concept?

  • An Atlantic Council report,
  • by, Frank Kramer, Assistant Secretary for International Security Affairs for the Clinton administration
  • and by, Bob Butler, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Cyber in the Obama administration

How would this private sector system work?  the private sector hackser would be deputized  “certified active defenders” to assist…

Regulatory TREND. Anatomy of the Cybersecurity Solarium Commission

The U.S. Cybersecurity Solarium Commission is taking inspiration from the 1950s era commission that studying nuclear strategy.

The 14 member Cybersecurity Solarium Commission will be comprised of:

  • 4 current lawmakers
  • director or deputy director of National Intelligence
  • drector or deputy director of Defense
  • director or deputy director of the FBI
  • director or deputy director of Homeland Security
  • academics
  • industry representatives

Strategies to develop: