Cybersecurity & Tech

Opponents to crypto mining in Arkansas point to noise pollution, tons of carbon emissions, and foreign investors.

KUAF | Cryptocurrency mining in Arkansas generating public opposition

A new report from the National Association of Counties found that “50% of counties use the controls outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations special publication. ” 30% use a cybersecurity program designed for the county specifically, 18% don’t know what cybersecurity program is used, and 20% do not use a standardized cybersecurity program.  60% of local county elected officials see cybersecurity as a top priority, or a priority.

Route Fifty |  Cybersecurity Standards Gain Ground in Counties

Connecticut passed legislation to reign in AI. The bill would do two things: (1)  require state agencies to inventory and assess government systems that use A.I.; and (2) create a permanent working group to recommend further A.I. rules.

Route Fifty | AI Is Used Widely, but Lawmakers Have Set Few Rules

Florida banned state government purchases of foreign made drones starting January 1, 2022.

FL Department of Management Services | ARCHIVE Approved Drone Manufacturers

Arkansas banned the use of foreign made drones in the state. HB 1653 (2023 | AR)

Michigan is looking for a software vendor that can develop a vendor security rating snapshot for all Michigan vendors. The data goal is to receive ongoing security snapshots of vendor information that includes a security rating, & how the vendor measures up against its peers in areas like botnet inspections, open ports, spam propagation, the frequency of its patching and file sharing.

Route Fifty | State Looks to Better Assess Vendor Security

As promised, the New York Attorney General has released proposed crypto legislation, CRPTO Act. The legislation would Stop Conflicts of Interest, Require Public Reporting of Financial Statements, and Bolster Investor Protections. Investor protections include brokers would have to know essential facts about their customers, and requiring crypto brokers and marketplaces to only conduct business with firms that comply with KYC provisions; banning the use of the term “stablecoin” unless the currency is backed by U.S. currency; and requiring platforms to reimburse customers who are the victims of unauthorized asset transfers and transfers resulting from fraud.

This week ABI Research released crybersecurity spending study that shows cyber security spending growing at a 13% compounded annual rate. Total spending by 2027 will reach $236 billion annually.

New York City is prohibiting artificial intelligence in employment decisions like hiring and promotion. Candidates have to be notified if ai is being used in the employment process, requires annual independent audits of the ai software, and companies can be fined for violations.

NYTimes | A Hiring Law Blazes a Path for A.I. Regulation

New York Attorney General is calling for increased cryptocurrency transparency. The legislation will be released any day now & will have these 3 goals: reduce potential conflicts of interest, require public reporting of financial statements and improve protections for investors.

Governing | New York’s Letitia James Wants Increased Crypto Transparency

Now that Montana Governor signed the statewide TikTok ban, here comes the legal battle. Free speech lawyers call it unconstitutional. Montana’s Governor went the other way and directed some state employees to bar the use of all social-media applications tied to foreign adversaries on state equipment and for state business in Montana.

WSJ | TikTok Ban Signed in Montana, Paving Way for First Amendment Legal Battle

Last week an annual Government Social Media Conference gave rise to twitter concerns. For local government communications professionals twitter is described as a hellscape once the blue checkmark verification disappeared. With no verification, local government disinformation grows thanks to fake accounts run by bots.

Governing | Government Asks: Is it Time to Pull the Plug on Twitter?

Montana passed its statewide TikTok ban. In the legislative process the bill’s provisions providing for fines to app stores that sell TikTok was removed leaving the bill without clear enforcement parameters. The bill does place enforcement powers with the Montana Department of Justice- what they’re suppose to do… who knows…“This bill is breathtakingly obtuse in its approach,” said Andy Green, an assistant professor of information security and assurance at Kennesaw State University.

Route Fifty | Enforcement Questions Dog State’s Proposed TikTok Ban

So far in 2023, we’re up to 7 states that have passed  state-level consumer data privacy law like California’s. Joining California in 2023 are Iowa and Indiana which followed Colorado, Utah, Virginia, and Connecticut. Its looking like state level consumer data privacy laws, like California’s, appeals to both red and blue states.

ALEC | States Passing Major Communications and Technology Legislation in Lively 2023 Sessions

Arkansas made exceptions to its social media for kiddos legislation by exempting the dancing social media: You Tube, the most popular social media application for kids, and TikTok.

The Verge | New Arkansas bill to keep minors off social media exempts most social media platforms

CNN | Arkansas governor signs sweeping bill imposing a minimum age limit for social media usage

California has removed a provision from its social media for kids bill that would have permitted to sue social media companies for “addictive design features,” . SB 287 (2023 | CA) Tech lobbying efforts by top trade associations for the technology industry, NetChoice, which represents Meta, Google, Amazon, TikTok and Twitter, and TechNet, which represents Meta, Google, Amazon and Snapchat led to the removal of this litigation provision.

SB 152 (2023 | UT) regulates kiddos use of social media. It stands out from the crowd by putting a curfew on social media use at 10:30 pm with an exception for LinkedIn. Social media companies must makes sure kiddos can’t find a work around.

Salt Lake Tribune | Utah first state to pass social media regulations aimed at protecting minors

IBM’s Institute for Business Value report, Electric vehicles: An on-ramp to sustainable mobility, points to the nature of EVs being in constant contact with other things like chargers and other vehicles as what makes them ripe for hackers. Here’s where things get interesting, this report ties this hacking risk to insurance. How do insurance companies assess these new automobile risks?

GCN | EVs rev up cybersecurity challenges

For the first time, Microsoft is supporting a right to repair bill that allows independent repairmen to repair tech. HB 1392 (2023 | WA) Why the change of heart? Microsoft said that “This bill fairly balances the interests of manufacturers, customers, and independent repair shops and in doing so will provide more options for consumer device repair.”

Grist | Microsoft quietly supported legislation to make it easier to fix devices. Here’s why that’s a big deal.

A survey of CEOs says that 65% of CEOs think AI will have a big impact their businesses in the next 3-5 years. 77% of the ceos think AI will have a larger impact on society. 60% said their companies are 1-2 years from implementing any AI.

WSJ | Goldman Sachs CIO Tests Generative AI

The FTC is proposing to prohibit Meta from monetizing data of minors. Meta calls this ” “a political stunt.” Seems to fit in line with state legislation concerning minors and social media.

CIO | WSJ | FTC proposes barring Meta from monetizing young users’ data.

California is considering  AB331 (2023 | CA) that creates a structure to regulate artificial intelligence by focusing on a.i. that affect consequential decisions like impacting certain enumerated individual rights and opportunities, such as employment, education, housing, health care or health insurance, and financial services. There are exemptions for developers and small entities.

Florida Legislature has advanced a Digital Bill of Rights that SB 262 (2023 | FL) and HB1547 (2023 | FL) . Both bills give consumers the right to opt out of sharing their data; companies must obtain permission to collect and sell personal data; establish new disclosure requirements so that customers know when and if their personal data is collected.; and prevents (tech) companies from selling personal data to a data broker without consent.

Governing | Florida Advances ‘Digital Bill of Rights’ Aimed at Big Tech

Know how ChatGPT works? People upload data for ChatGPT to comb. It turns out some people upload personal information knowingly or unknowingly. This includes propriety information, as programmers at Samsung’s Korean semiconductor business discovered. National Association of Counties Chief Information Officer Rita Reynolds suggests that counties develop a responsible AI policy that addresses privacy and data security, transparency and accountability, fairness and bias as well as informed consent.

Route Fifty |  ChatGPT’s Other Risk: Oversharing Confidential Data

Montana Legislature is considering a bill SB 178 (2023 | MT) to define crypto currency and digital assets as personal property. What does that even mean? Montana says it wants to protect the rights of people and businesses when it comes to their digital assets.

Montana Legislature banned TikTok from operating in the state. Opponents came from the ACLU to libertarians. The bigger picture is the litigation that will emerge from the ban.

WSJ | Montana Lawmakers Approve Statewide Ban on TikTok

NPR | Montana becomes 1st state to approve a full ban of TikTok

SB1236 (2023 |AZ) was vetoed by the Arizona Governor because the bill would have prevented local policymaking about emergent and potentially energy intensive economic activity. The industry says the bill would have stopped local authorities from imposing taxes on individuals and businesses running blockchain nodes. 

Coin Telegraph | Arizona governor vetoes bill targeting taxes on blockchain node hosts

NYC is proposing ordinances to ban facial recognition software for use by businesses who use it to track customers and ban its use by residential buildings. Currently the only other city limiting private sector use of facial recognition software is Portland, Oregon.

Bloomberg Law | NYC Lawmakers Seek Ban on Facial Scans to Identify Customers (2)

Italy banned ChatGPT because it couldn’t verify user ages, couldn’t prove it wasn’t violating copyright laws, and generally had no legal basis for doing what it does. The ban is being lifted if ChatGPT complies with rules concerning “transparency, the right of data subjects – including users and non-users – and the legal basis of the processing for algorithmic training relying on users’ data.”

ComputerWeekly.com | Italy to lift ChatGPT ban subject to new data protection controls

1000+ tech leaders and researchers have signed an open letter calling for a pause in artificial intelligence citing the profound societal risks. The signatories say the industry ethical standards,  Asilomar AI Principles, are not being followed.

“Humanity can enjoy a flourishing future with AI. Having succeeded in creating powerful AI systems, we can now enjoy an “AI summer” in which we reap the rewards, engineer these systems for the clear benefit of all, and give society a chance to adapt. Society has hit pause on other technologies with potentially catastrophic effects on society.^[5]  We can do so here. Let’s enjoy a long AI summer, not rush unprepared into a fall.”

Future of life institute | Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter

The FDA has indicated it will stop approving medical devices with cyber security concerns. Beginning October 1, 2023 devices will have to meet cyber security requirements of the the FD&C Act, section 524B “Ensuring Cybersecurity of Devices.”

FDA | Cybersecurity in Medical Devices: Refuse to Accept Policy for Cyber Devices and Related Systems Under Section 524B of the FD&C Act

SB 1751 (2023 | TX) would not only limit crypto mining in state demand response programs, but would also prohibit tax abatements for crypto mining.

Decrypt | New Texas Senate Bill Seeks to Slash Bitcoin Mining Incentives

The Florida Governor has announced a plan to ban central bank digital currencies. He referred to cbdc’s as “woke ideology.” Also of note, a poll says 56% of Americans have a positive view of woke as being informed.

Miami Herald | What does it mean to be ‘woke?’ Majority in the US have positive view, study finds

Fortune Crypto | Ron DeSantis proposed a bill to ban CBDCs. A trade policy professor calls that ‘a little ludicrous’

The Hill | DeSantis goes after digital currency in attempt to ban federal effort

 A report by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) and National Governors Association (NGA) tells us the if states prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in their recruitment, hiring and retention practices and collaborate with the private sector, academia, nonprofits and other stakeholders, states can build a pipeline of workers for the thousands of cybersecurity vacancies. The report also talks about states needing to modernize their workforce with  flexible schedules, remote work options and ways to address employee burnout and mental health challenges.

Route Fifty | State Cyber Workforce Challenges Reaching ‘Crisis Levels’

SF262 (2023 | IA) follows in the legislative footsteps of Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Virginia. This consistency on notice requirements gained support from businesses and the Technology Association of Iowa.

International Association of Privacy Professionals | Iowa set to finalize sixth US comprehensive state privacy law

Illinois wants to follow in New York’s footsteps and create a license for bitcoin. Fintech-Digital Asset Bill (HB 3479/SB 2233)  and Financial Protection Bill (HB 3483/SB 2232) The pair of bills will create a license and regulatory structure for cryptocurrency and will establish consumer protections.

State of Illinois | IDFPR Announces Landmark Legislation to Launch Illinois Consumer Financial Protection into the Digital Age

Yahoo! Finance | Illinois Officials Pushing State Crypto Licensing to Emulate New York’s BitLicense

South Dakota Governor vetoed a bill that excluded cryptocurrency from the state’s definition of money. The veto statement also called on the 20 other states considering similar legislation to veto those bills.

@Govkristinoem veto statement

Connecticut wants to create the Office of Artificial Intelligence, create a government task force to study the emerging technology, and develop an AI bill of rights. SB 1103 (CT | 2023)

Governing | Some Concerned About Connecticut’s Extensive AI Use

Misinformation around elections has led to many states combatting misinformation. Naturally, Gallup wants peoples opinions on this. 40% of republicans think elections are accurate while 85% of democrats do. Overall 63% of Americans are confident in election results. This is the largest partisan gap since 2004.

Governing | State and Local Govs Prepare for 2024 Misinformation Fight

Can you buy a gun with crypto currency? Not anymore in South Dakota. HB 1193 (SD | 2023 ) for those in the legislative process, this isn’t a standalone bill but was included in a UCC bill.

South Dakota’s HB1193 (2023 | SD) would amend the state’s UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) to prohibit cryptocurrency but permit Central bank digital currencies.

60% don’t want AI in their health care. 1/3 believe health outcomes would be worse with AI.

The Hill | Majority in new poll would be uncomfortable with health care provider relying on AI

ChatGBT writes bills. Great… considering the weird things some AI programs are saying. Massachusetts legislators used ChatGPT to write an AI bill, SD1827 (2023 | MA) The legislators advice: AI isn’t ready to write legislation.

Governing | Lawmakers Experiment With ChatGPT to Write Bills

Nevada Legislature is considering a bill that would create a statewide securities restitution fund for victims of securities fraud. This issue is being dominated by crypto actions in our media feeds. The state would use securities enforcement actions to fill the coffers of the restitution fund. The Nevada Secretary of State, the brains behind the idea, said the bills would be a means to make victims whole.

2News | Secretary of State Introduces Bill to Help Victims of Securities Fraud

Mississippi Senate passed its Digital Asset Mining Act, SB 2603 (2023 | MS) . The bill will accomplish 3 things: protect crypto mining equipment in industrial zones from land use enforcement actions; prohibits charging mining companies unfair energy fees; and removes miners from the definition of “money transmitters.”

Bitcoinist | On Crypto And Discrimination: Mississippi Passes Bill Protecting Crypto Miners’ Rights

Montana wants to protect Crypto Miners. A county in Montana was the first in the nation to create zoning laws to protect residents from crypto mining. SB 178 (2023 | MT) would up end Missoula’s zoning protections by ” protecting at-home mining, prevents discriminatory utility rates for miners and stipulates that crypto used as payment will not be subject to additional taxes.” It also prohibit local governments from using zoning to shut down crypto mining.

CoinDesk | Montana Senate Passes Bill Protecting Crypto Miners

Let’s meet the contenders: Georgia has SB 93 banning TikTok from state devices with the exceptions for use by law enforcement, academic researchers and judicial proceedings. An Arizona legislator will amend a technical correction bill to add a TikTok ban for state devices and restrictions on higher education networks. Florida Governor has announced a bill is forthcoming to ban TikTok on college campuses.

Atlanta Journal Constitution | Senate panel approves bill limiting use of TikTok, other social media

Fox10 | House Bill 2416: What you should know about Arizona’s proposed bill to ban TikTok on some devices

Tampa Bay Times | DeSantis says bill banning TikTok on college, school campuses coming

New Jersey’s Digital Asset and Blockchain Technology Act supporters say it goes further than New York’s crypto currency legislation by addressing custody issues. It will require that  digital assets custody must maintain “an amount of each type of digital assets sufficient to satisfy the aggregate entitlements of the persons to the type of digital asset.” 

Blockworks | How New Jersey’s Crypto Bill Could Impact Industry Firms in the State

Texas Legislature may consider a sales tax holiday for cryptocurrency purchases. The sales tax holiday would last 2 years. Forbes notes that “NFL football team the Houston Texans for payment of single-game box suites since August 2022.”

Forbes | No Tax On Crypto Purchases — Texas Proposals Go Big On Digital Assets

States that have added NFTs to their tax structure are Pennsylvania and Washington State. Each state’s Department of Revenue provided guidance for the application of the state sales tax to NFTs. Read Pennsylvania’s and Washington’s

Route Fifty | Top Sales Tax Trends to Watch in 2023.

Maryland is considering a regulatory framework for the ruse of facial recognition software. HB 223 (2023 | MD) The author referred to having a system with no rules or training creates a Wild Wild West scenario.

The bill would require training, annual compliance, and limit the use of facial recognition software to these crimes: violent crimes, human trafficking offenses or ongoing threats to public safety or national security.

Governing | Maryland Bill Would Ban Some Police Use of Facial Recognition

Civil litigation against endorsers/promoters of cryptocurrency and NFTs is picking up steam. It seems celebrities who endorsed these items didn’t realize their state and federal rules for endorsing investments. Ooopsie Daisy.

@WallStreetJournal

Congressional Financial Services Chair Patrick McHenry this week pointed to blockchain, the underpinnings of cryptocurrency, as ripe for data privacy legislation. Policy issues are: who owns the data parts in blockchain technology? Do we protect tri-party authentication? Do we abandon username and passwords? Are we protecting the data in its pieces along the way and together?

Politico | House GOP’s crypto pointman is curious but skeptical

The Dommsdayers are here! The Dommsdayers are at Davos! According to the World Economic Forum, “93% of cyber leaders, and 86% of cyber business leaders, believe that the geopolitical instability makes a catastrophic cyber event likely in the next two years.”

Popular Mechanics| A Catastrophic Mutating Event Will Strike the World in 2 Years, Report Says

Miami Heat’s Stadium is owned by the country. The county contracted with FTX for a 19 year naming rights deal with FTX. The contract has been terminated.

Miami’s Republican Mayor championed Miamicoin. Miami was the first city to enter cryptocurrency waters. It launched in August 2021. It has since lost 99% of its value.

Route Fifty | Miami’s Mayor Un(block)chained

New Hampshire’s Commission On Cryptocurrencies And Digital Assets has recommended a statewide bitcoin energy plan. Positive energy impacts highlighted are a more stable electricity grid, more sustainable generation projects, and lower costs for consumers. The commission also recommended regulation to protect consumers.

Bitcoin Magazine | NEW HAMPSHIRE COMMISSION RECOMMENDS STATEWIDE BITCOIN MINING ENERGY PLAN

What is happening? More communities are reluctant to want a data center in their backyard because of environmental and noise concerns. In Virginia, data centers are the state’s largest category of commercial energy users. Meet SJR 240 (2023 | VA) calling for a study of data center impact on environment, economy, energy resources, and ability to meet carbon-reduction goals.

Route Fifty | Communities are Rethinking Their Push for Data Centers

What is happening? A bankruptcy judge in New York ruled that crypto deposits with Celsius Network do not belong to the person making the deposit. Seems rather weird, but then you learn that the Celsius agreement for users contained that language. ” you grant Celsius . . . all right and title to such Eligible Digital Assets, including ownership rights, and the right, without further notice to you, to hold such Digital Assets in Celsius’ own Virtual Wallet “

Why is this important? Hello regulation writers add this to your list.

Fox Rothschild LLP | Cryptocurrency Deposits Do Not Belong to Account Holders: New York Bankruptcy Holding Severs Customers’ Right and Title to Crypto Assets Deposited in Celsius Network Earn Program Accounts

Claiming success in banning crypto mining powered by fossil fuels in NY, supporters have moved onto a national study of crypto mining that would “evaluate the effects of the industry and mandate reporting of emissions from mining operations using more than 5 megawatts of electricity.”

Politico | New York partially banned cryptocurrency mining. Now environmentalists want more.

This week Texas released a new broadband map spotlighting areas in the most need. Also new  in Texas is proposed legislation to create a new Broadband Funding plan that draws from existing sales tax revenues. Hello, SJR 27 (2023 | TX) & SB 377 (2023 | TX)

What is happening? The Semiconductor Industry Association says that there is $200 Billion in private sector investment for new and expansion projects at 42 sites across 16 states. From 1990 through 2020, the U.S.’s share of global microchip fabrication slid from 40% to 12%. Texas will account for $56 Billion of the $200 Billion in private investment. 

Why is this important? Taiwan and South Korea lead in semi conductor fabrication capacity. Taiwan has 92% of leading-edge semiconductor production. The U.S. addressed this with the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act that has $52 billion for semiconductor research and development, manufacturing and workforce initiatives. 

Route Fifty | The Places Seeing Growth in the Semiconductor Sector So Far

What is happening? Texas ranks 4th most favorable state for crypto enthusiasts. NV, CA, and Fl are ahead of Texas. Recommendations from The Texas Work Group on Blockchain Matters include: incentives for companies that don’t make money off monetizing data, “embracing its tradition of individual liberty,” and by “making it explicit that the U.S. Constitutional protections against unreasonable search and seizure extend to activity on the internet.”

How does this fit with recent FTX bankruptcy headlines? “What FTX does is gives us a fantastic contrast to the way some Texas businesses are actually approaching Bitcoin, taking a much more fiscally conservative approach. We feel like the blowback from a regulatory perspective would be detrimental to Texas businesses that are getting it right.” According to  Christopher Calicott, managing partner at Austin-based Trammell Venture Partners, a member of The Texas Work Group on Blockchain Matters.

Governing | Texas Still Wants to Become Nation’s Cryptocurrency Leader

What is happening? Ever wondered how much water is needed to cool data centers? A city in Oregon had prevented the water usage from becoming public, but now the data is free for the world to consume. To cool Google’s data centers in Oregon it takes 274.5 million gallons. World wide data centers require 4.3 billion gallons of water. This world wide number is similar to the water usage of 29 golds courses in the U.S. Southwest. Fun with facts.

AP | Oregon city drops fight to keep Google water use private

What is happening? Bonjour, HB 896 (2023 | TX), that will require social media platforms to verify user ages and prohibit users under the age of 18. “Social media is the pre-1964 cigarette. Once thought to be perfectly safe for users, social media access to minors has led to remarkable rises in self-harm, suicide, and mental health issues, Patterson said.”

Governing | Texas Bill Would Ban Social Media for Everyone Under 18

What is happening? 18 Republican Governors have banned TikTok on state devices. Some states are also banning WeChat, QQWallet and AliPay from other Chinese companies.  Anton Dahbura, executive director of Johns Hopkins Information Security Institute, a cybersecurity academic and research center says that “It’s not just the obvious security that someone could bring down the power grid. It’s infiltration of systems to obtain confidential information that is quite valuable to foreign actors.”

Why is this important? In the US companies track your data for marketing purposes. In China, companies are required to share tracked data with the Chinese Government.

Route Fifty | Governors’ TikTok Bans Make Sense, Cybersecurity Experts Say

What is happening? Add Texas to the list of Governors that have used executive powers to ban the use of TikTok on state devices. The governor’s message includes this statement: “The threat of the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate the United States continues to grow. While the federal government holds the ultimate responsibility for foreign policy issues, the State also has the responsibility and opportunity to protect itself…”

CBS DFW | Gov. Greg Abbott bans TikTok on state-issued devices

What is happening? A headline that included the phrase “bitcoin bloodbath” caught my attention. Alliteration is cool. Bitcoin balances on crypto exchanges are down to 2.3 million from their 3.1 million peak.  Self-custody wallet balances aren’t growing as more people are selling than storing bitcoin. The overall cryptocurrency market capitalization has lost $1.63 trillion in value.

Why is this important? Let’s just leave it with this study because I like data. “A study from the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), conducted between 2015 and 2022, estimated that 73% to 81% likely lost money on their investments in cryptocurrencies.”

Reuters | Cryptoverse: Forget crypto winter, this is a bitcoin ‘bloodbath’

What is happening? Maersk and IBM had a partnership for global trade digitization platform called TradeLens. It failed to reach commercial viability and is being shuttered. Turns out that supply chain data is often confidential and private and therefore hard to digitize, integrate and share.

Why is this important? Other partnerships exist and strides were made with regulators to create uniform forms for bills of lading to speed up global trade.

CIO Dive | Maersk, IBM to shut down blockchain joint venture TradeLens

What is happening? Add Maryland and South Carolina to the states that are banning TikTok from state devices. Maryland Governor issued a cybersecurity emergency directive prohibiting the “Use of TikTok, China and Russia-Based Products and Platforms in State Government.”

Why is this important? This comes a week after FBI Director Christopher Wray reiterated that TikTok is a threat to national security.

Maryland.gov | Governor Hogan Announces Emergency Directive to Prohibit Use of TikTok, China and Russia-Based Products and Platforms in State Government

What is happening? Have you seen Lake Superior’s twitter account? It’s catchy. Have you seen Oklahoma’s Wildlife Department. Some state agencies have seized on the use of humor while offering outreach. Oklahoma’s Wildlife Department tweeted: If you love something, set it free. Unless it is a wild animal, you should have never had that in the first place.

Why is this important? Adapting communication to generations to the current market; however you want to define it for yourself.

Government Technology | 5 Government Social Media Accounts to Be Thankful For

What is happening? South Dakota Governor has issued an Executive Order that bans TikTok from state devices. The Governor is concerned about security risks. The Executive Order comes when some state agencies have relied on TikTok to disseminate information.

Why is this important? U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin have filed legislation to ban TikTok in the U.S.

Route Fifty | A Governor Imposes a TikTok Ban for State Government

What is happening? South Carolina courts will answer whether license plate readers can be implemented without legislative or regulatory oversight. Those raising the issues say data and photos of lawful drivers doing lawful things with geotags is being collected and shared among law enforcement agencies with no oversight.

Why is this important? Privacy, oversight, and transparency.

Government Technology | License Plate Readers Face Legal Challenge in South Carolina

What is happening? Texas Bitcoin Foundation and Texas State Technical College have partnered to launch the 1st higher education partnership for a bitcoin mining certification. The goal is to  prepare students for employment by the growing number of bitcoin mining companies that operate in Texas.

Why is this important? TSTC is in the process of recruiting students for several bitcoin mining certificate programs scheduled to begin early 2023. Training will focus on Bitcoin Mining Operations, Software, Hardware, and Electrical Power.  

@TXBitcoinFound

Texas Bitcoin Foundation and Texas State Technical College partner to launch first professional certification programs in bitcoin mining

What is happening? Tracking expenditures on technology for NYC police department is challenging, at best, as often times tech expenditures are characterized as “special expenses.” The technology ranges from drones to facial recognition software to license plate readers, a robotic police dog and more. It is estimated that more than $3 billion was spent from 2007 to 2019.

Why is this important? Transparency in budgeting is chic again.

Governing | Details Are Hazy About NYPD’s $3B Surveillance Costs

What is happening? In 2024 California’s privacy law will go into full effect and looks to change how kids and teens use the Internet. California’s legislation applies to minors up to 18 year olds, and to any service that is “likely to be accessed” by children, whether the service targets them or not. It also prohibits selling data tied to the child and privacy settings must be explained in child friendly language with the strictest privacy setting being the default.

Why is this important? it makes one wonder will California’s standards for children data privacy and protection be much like its automobile standards in that California’s regulation leads the nation.

Governing | California Privacy Law Could Forever Change Internet Use by the Under 18 Set

What’s happening? Minnesota is beginning a new broadband pilot program, Broadband Line Extension Connection Program, that will be driven by broadband users and not ISPs. Every 6 months the state will notify ISPs of the unserved locations and give the ISPs 10 days to offer to provide service. Once an ISP has been identified, service must be provided within 1 year.

Why is this important? This is a new way to look at how to solve the last mile connections for broadband.

Govtech | Minnesota Launches New Program to Connect the Unserved

What is happening? The Federal Government has banned the use of technology from five banned Chinese companies. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas and Vermont have similar state laws. Only Vermont was found to not be using the technology.  

Why is this important? The Center for Security and Emerging Technology indicate that will be virtually impossible to remove all existing software from these companies that is being used by governmental entities.

Route Fifty | Public Entities in Nearly Every State Use Federally-Banned Foreign Tech, Report Says

What is happening? Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network says 2021 is indicating ransomware attack payouts totaling $1.2Billion. That’s a  188% increase from 2020 $416 million. 2017 had $38 million. The word exponential comes to mind for the rapid increase in ransomware payouts year after year.

Why is this important? The 2nd International Counter Ransomware Initiative Summit led to the coalition of 36 countries and the E.U.  pledging to take additional steps to combat ransomware.

Cybersecurity Dive | US ransomware payments surge to $1.2B in 2021: Treasury

What is happening? Crypto has increased its lobbying efforts by 4x over the last 3 years. Questions are arising about policies that prevent a revolving door from government employee to crypto worker.

Why is this important? Congress and states have a varying rules on government employees who leave begin lobbying in the private sector. 200 government employees, from the Treasury Dept, SEC and other agencies, have left for the crypto industry.

CFO Dive | Warren wants regulators to answer for crypto ‘revolving door’

What is happening? A new state ranking lists Nevada as the most crypto-friendly state . Nevada leads the pack by having a high availability of jobs within the crypto industry; crypto-friendly legislation; & a prohibition on local taxation of blockchain technology.

Why is this important? Nevada is followed by Florida, California, New Jersey, Texas, Colorado and Illinois.

CNBC | California isn’t the No. 1 state for cryptocurrency enthusiasts—but it still ranks in the top 7

What is happening? The House of Commons (UK) has approved cryptocurrency as ” regulated financial instruments and products” as part of its proposed Financial Services and Markets Bill, its economic strategy post Brexit.

Why is this important? First, we’re still talking about Brexit? This is the first time cryptocurrency would be regulated in the UK.

CoinDesk | UK Lawmakers Vote to Recognize Crypto as Regulated Financial Instruments

What is happening? Pennsylvania Legislature passed SB696 (2022 | PA) that requires governmental entities in Pennsylvania and government contractors to notify Pennsylvanians of a data breach of personally identifiable information within 1 week. The State Attorney General would also be notified. For local governmental breaches, county attorneys should be notified within 3 days.

Why is this important? Holding government to transparency for data breaches.

Your Eerie News | Sen. Dan Laughlin’s data breach notification legislation heads to Gov. Wolf

What is happening? The Crypto Council for Innovation conducted a poll that found

• 1 in 7 voters own cryptocurrency
• 52% say more regulation is needed
• 45% want legislators to treat crypto like a serious part of the economy
• 50%+ of Blacks and Latinos have a better view of crypto and credit unions than banks

Why is this important? The crypto industry says crypto supports will have an impact on the election as support for crypto is bipartisan and across ethnic groups.

Crypto Council for Innovation | Voters See Promise of Digital Assets and Regulation, Poll Finds

CNBC | Voters want to see more crypto regulation, industry poll finds

What is happening? Texas school districts are distributing finger print and DNA collection for participating students.

Why is this important? has anyone checked whether Texas state laws protect this specific biometric and fingerprint data from disclosure or whether there are standards to protect the safety of this data?

@HoustonChron

What is happening? The Chief Information Officer for New Mexico suggests 4 questions for state agencies when they retain data.

1. What authorizes you to ask for the information?
2. How are you going to use the information?
3. With whom are you going to share the information?
4. And is disclosure of that information by you to us mandatory or optional? 

Government Technology | New Mexico Will Set Data Guidelines With ‘4 Simple Questions’

What is happening? Georgia passed HB 156 (GA | 2022) that limits access to data breach information under the state Public Information Act by excepting data breach reports from state agencies and utilities operating in the state.

Why is this important? Georgia’s legislation says this bill is further its homeland security.

Governing | A Data Breach Is Bad, But Disclosing Too Much Could be Worse

What is happening? The Texas Attorney General announced a lawsuit against Google for unlawfully capturing and using the biometric data of millions of Texans without properly obtaining their informed consent.

Why is this important? Texas has a Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act that prohibits the capturing of biometric data for “exploitation of the personal information of Texans for its own commercial interests.”

Pax­ton Sues Google for its Unau­tho­rized Cap­ture and Use of Bio­met­ric Data and Vio­la­tion of Tex­ans’ Privacy

What is happening? A California Court has determined that releasing gun owner data to academic researchers violates their data privacy.

Why is this important? A California state law (AB 173 | 2021 | CA) permits sharing names and other identifying information of gun owners to researchers studying the effectiveness of gun-violence restraining orders.

Government Technology | California Judge Blocks Sharing of Gun Owner Data

What is happening? The Mayor of Seattle has supported gun shot locating technology for nearly a decade since he was a city council member. The technology installs microphones and triangulates the sound. One of the apps, ShotSpotter, claims a 97% effective rate. Meanwhile in Dayton, OH the city will not renew its ShotSpotter contract because even with successes, it “could not show that the software has done enough to reduce crime to justify its cost”

Why does this matter? A study from Northwest University analyzed 2 years of ShotSpotter data from Chicago, and found that “90% of ShotSpotter alerts lead police to find no evidence to corroborate gunfire.” Shot spotter did change how police officers interacted in the area.

GeekWire | Seattle mayor makes another bid for city to use controversial gunshot detection technology

What is happening? North Dakota is struggling to hire and retain cybersecurity specialists. To help the state hire, when cyber experts can make more in the private sector, the state is:

• Partnering with colleges and universities by creating student security operations centers
• Creating apprentice and internship initiatives
• Allowing for fully remote work
• Cutting the requirement of a college degree like military veterans

Why does this matter? North Dakota is also looking at K-12 initiatives to raise cybersecurity education

Route Fifty | How One State is Trying to Prevent a Cybersecurity Workforce Shortage

What is happening? A new report from National Association of State Chief Information Officers and Deloitte says the best way for states to be prepared for data threats is to work closely and share information with local governmental entities and higher education institutions. There is a $1 Billion federal grant program to help.

Why does this matter? There is a talent gap in cyber security professionals. The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program assists in bridging the talent gap in the cybersecurity workforce. Some entities don’t want to fund cybersecurity talent because cybersecurity success is measured by nothing happening.

Route Fifty | States Must Work Closer With Locals on Cyber Threats, Survey Finds

What is happening? Hollister Co, or what ever teenager knows as Abercrombie & Fitch Co, is implementing Share2Pay, so kids can share their carts with their parents, who will foot the bill. Fun. Retailers are looking for means to convert cart abandonment into sales.

Why does this matter? Its like Amazon Teen or Apple Ask to Buy which convert kids shopping carts into carts payable by an adult. Some retailers have experimented with online shopping carts for kids as young as 3.

Wall Street Journal | Hollister Lets Teens Send Their Online Carts to Parents for Checkout

What is happening? State Officials in Texas have publicly welcomed crypto mining to Texas earlier this year. Rural Texas is lapping it up because it represents a new tax base. The new crypto tax base is allowing property taxes reductions, sheriff pay increases, money for bridges and roads, and better services.

Why does this matter? Money money money

Texas Tribune | Cryptocurrency miners line up to come to Texas, and rural counties are welcoming them

What is happening? Never did I anticipate typing Kim Kardashian into this curate information aggregating site. Here we are the SEC this week levied a fine of $1.26 million for failing to disclose to her Instagram followers that she was financially compensated for promoting EthereumMax. The fine was announced by the SEC Chair in a tweet. Welcome to 2022.

Why does this matter? Tea Leaf readers say it is a sign the SEC will explore more enforcement rules in crypto.

Forbes | Kim Kardashian Fined For Cryptocurrency Promotion, Here’s What It Means For Crypto

What is happening? California Governor has signed AB1242 (2022 | CA) that prevents California tech companies from responding to warrants concerning geolocation data, search histories and other personal information in response to out-of-state search warrants unless there is a statement that sys this information is not related to abortion related services.

Why does this matter? {ending litigation in Texas concerns the enforcement mechanism that allows private citizens to sue people who assist a person seeking an abortion out of Texas.

Governing | Big Tech Can’t Comply With Other States’ Abortion Warrants

What is happening? People are talking about the democratization of the municipal market. If people can buy municipal debt at amounts lower than $5K, say $100, you’ve crowd funded municipal debt. We’ve talked this space about Berkeley CA talking about issuing micro bonds relying on blockchain.

Why does this matter? China is already democratizing debt by offering 70 billion Yuan in microbonds.

Route Fifty | How Cryptocurrency Could Help to ‘Crowdfund’ Public Projects

What is happening? This week the Bitcoin Policy Institute released a white paper, Why the U.S. Should Reject Central Bank Digital Currencies.

Why is this important? The rational includes the authoritarian shift in U.S. government moving the U.S. toward Chinese regime. Further saying that “Central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) represent an extension of this state control over economic life.”

How will this be important? The suggested solution:

“Clearly, individuals and organizations need to transact digitally with fiat currencies, and the current global banking system often makes those transactions slow and expensive. To solve this problem, cryptographic stablecoins pegged to fiat currencies and backed 1:1 with hard collateral can be issued by private banks worldwide.”

@TXBitcoinFound

What is happening? Colorado started accepting crypto to pay personal and business tax obligations.

Why is this important? The practical payment issues at play: Colorado requires that the entire invoice be paid in crypto, no splitting payments. A service fee will attach to the payment of $1 plus 1.83% of the payment amount. Finally, payment must be made by PayPal’s Cryptocurrencies Hub

How will this be important? It creates a safe way for cannabis industry to make payments in stead of the all cash payments that are usually made.

Route Fifty | Colorado Now Accepts Crypto for State Tax Payments

What is happening? California joins Texas and Virginia by allowing for enforcement, civil legal action, when a person receives unwanted sexually explicit images or videos

Why is this important? Un like the Texas law, the California law does not create a crime.

How will this be important? Some say this is another example of how states are leading the push for legislation to curtail cyber issues like data privacy, children’s online safety, and digital harassment

Washington Post | States are moving to penalize ‘cyber-flashing’

What is happening? Social media told a story of a van in Connecticut carrying ballots during the 2020 election as having crashed and the ballots lost. The story was untrue but went viral.

Why is this important? Connecticut has hired a misinformation specialist and has a $2million project to ensure accurate election information.

How will this be important?  Colorado Secretary of the State Jena Griswold created the Rapid Response Election Security Cyber Unit &  California has an office of election security.

Route Fifty | States Take New Steps to Stop Election Mistruths From Going Viral