Author Archives: Tessa Zavala

What’s happening? The Florida Governor and legislative leaders are proposing a Transparency in Tech bill that would: Publish standards used to ban posts, de-platform and shadow ban users. Provide equal access for established news organizations and qualified political candidates to reach users free from manipulation by algorithms. Stop arbitrarily censoring and/or de-platforming users. Give users […]

What’s happening? Virginia legislators sent their Governor legislation that would require a local law enforcement agency to receive approval from the State Attorney General before being authorized to use facial recognition software. HB 2031 (2021 | VA) Why is this important? The data repeatedly shows that facial recognition software misidentifies people who are Black, brown, […]

What’s happening? Minnesota legislature is considering a measure that would require Apple and Google to keep apps in their stores. if created in MN and are also sold on other platforms. Why is this important? AZ & GA are considering similar legislation “to level the playing field for developers and help them avoid sizable commissions […]

What’s happening? SB 5116 (2021 | WA) would prohibit the use of AI by the state Why is this important? Facial recognition software has been statistically shown to discriminate. Until we know whether an AI results in discrimination or unequal treatment, the policy goal is to keep the state out of AI How will this […]

What’s happening? New Mexico HB 10 (2021 | NM) will expand broadband through a new state broadband office inside the State Department of Information Technology. Why is this important? New Mexico sees an opening in that no state entity tracks investments or coordinates activities related to broadband between government agencies How will this be important? […]

What’s happening? VA and UT tested voted by mobile phone and iPad during the November 2020 election. The voters included in this mobile voting pilot included military members stationed overseas and people with disabilities. Why is this important? Some say the only secure elections are paper ballot elections. How will this be important? A procurement […]

What’s happening? Miami City commissioners are studying the use of bitcoin for salaries, city services and contracts. Why is this important? More governmental entities are opening up to the concept of transacting business in bitcoin. How will this be important? Bitcoin isn’t going anywhere anytime soon Miami Herald | Miami Considers Using Bitcoin for Salaries, […]

What’s happening? 18.5% of Iowa has access to internet. Expanding this has been the focus of  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. Her broadband access proposal includes $450 million in state funding combined with private sector funds and grant money made available through the Federal Communications Commission. HSB 133 (2021 | IA) Why is this important? Broadband […]

214% increase in cyber attacks on healthcare over 2019 4 of 5 cyberattacks on healthcare were committed by criminal enterprises  The SolarWinds cover attack resulted in 18,000 clients of SolarWinds downloading the ransomeware CQ Roll Call. | Cyberattacks Surged in 2020, Mostly Hitting Health Care

What’s the deal? HB 80 (2021 | UT) creates an affirmative defense for businesses that follow national guidelines for data security and are hacked, potentially exposing sensitive personal data. Why is this important? Affirmative Defenses, Liability protections are growing. OH started it back in 2019. How will this be important? Those 2020 electoral maps were […]