Know What's Happening in GovTech

How Chip Cards Have Been Deployed to Battle Fraud in State EBT Programs
NewsFeb 13, 2026

How Chip Cards Have Been Deployed to Battle Fraud in State EBT Programs

Alabama’s Department of Human Resources is issuing EMV chip‑enabled electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to curb rising fraud, partnering with Conduent, the chip supplier. The chips create a unique encrypted code for each purchase, making data skimming ineffective. Alabama follows...

By Digital Transactions
Financial Limitations on Growth
BlogFeb 13, 2026

Financial Limitations on Growth

Rural ISPs repeatedly cite financing caps as the primary barrier to expanding broadband, not a lack of willingness. Lenders impose strict borrowing limits based on cash flow, debt ratios, and broader market conditions, which many small providers cannot exceed. Grant...

By POTs and PANs
Project Seeks to Bring Data Analytics to ‘Analogue’ Football Policing
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Project Seeks to Bring Data Analytics to ‘Analogue’ Football Policing

The Police Digital Service (PDS) has signed a six‑month, £600,000 contract with data‑analytics specialist Bays Consulting to pilot data‑driven planning for football match policing. The initiative seeks to replace traditional analogue risk‑assessment matrices with crowd‑modelling and predictive analytics, aiming for...

By PublicTechnology.net (UK)
The Cyber Express Weekly Roundup: Escalating Breaches, Regulatory Crackdowns, and Global Cybercrime Developments
NewsFeb 13, 2026

The Cyber Express Weekly Roundup: Escalating Breaches, Regulatory Crackdowns, and Global Cybercrime Developments

The Cyber Express weekly roundup highlights a series of high‑profile cyber incidents across continents. The European Commission’s mobile device management system was breached but contained within nine hours, while Senegal’s national identity services were crippled by ransomware. In Australia, FIIG...

By The Cyber Express
“Not Ready for Prime Time.” A Federal Tool to Check Voter Citizenship Keeps Making Mistakes.
NewsFeb 13, 2026

“Not Ready for Prime Time.” A Federal Tool to Check Voter Citizenship Keeps Making Mistakes.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) was rapidly expanded under President Trump to let states bulk‑verify voter citizenship. Early deployments in Missouri and Texas flagged dozens of lawful citizens as potential noncitizens, prompting local clerks...

By ProPublica
60,000 Records Exposed in Cyberattack on Uzbekistan Government
NewsFeb 13, 2026

60,000 Records Exposed in Cyberattack on Uzbekistan Government

Uzbekistan’s Digital Technologies Ministry confirmed that a cyberattack on three government information systems in late January exposed roughly 60,000 individual data records, not the personal data of 15 million citizens as earlier rumors suggested. The breach, which lasted from January 27‑30, was...

By The Cyber Express
When Every Second Counts: Government Tech Helps First Responders’ Lifesaving Missions
NewsFeb 13, 2026

When Every Second Counts: Government Tech Helps First Responders’ Lifesaving Missions

Government labs are accelerating first‑responder capabilities through two NIST‑sponsored challenges. The prize competition pushes drones to generate high‑resolution 3D indoor maps, while the First Responder Smart Tracking (FRST) challenge develops rugged wearables that pinpoint personnel inside structures where GPS fails....

By GovExec
Transparency in Coverage Proposed Rule Aims to Make Price Files More Usable
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Transparency in Coverage Proposed Rule Aims to Make Price Files More Usable

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has issued a December proposed rule to overhaul the Transparency in Coverage (TiC) machine‑readable files, with implementation slated for 2027. The rule would filter out payment rates that never apply to a...

By HFMA – Healthcare Financial Management Association
Navy Secretary Outlines AI, Unmanned Tech to Advance Golden Fleet Initiative
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Navy Secretary Outlines AI, Unmanned Tech to Advance Golden Fleet Initiative

U.S. Navy Secretary John Phelan detailed the Golden Fleet initiative, which pairs AI, autonomous systems and distributed shipbuilding to accelerate fleet growth and modernize the maritime industrial base. Central to the plan is ShipOS, an AI‑driven connective platform that integrates...

By GovernmentCIO Media & Research
New NPS Challenge Aims to Rewrite How the Military Builds Missiles
NewsFeb 12, 2026

New NPS Challenge Aims to Rewrite How the Military Builds Missiles

The Department of Defense has long struggled with the high cost and long timelines of traditional missile programs, where a single system can exceed millions of dollars. To counter this, the Naval Postgraduate School introduced the Tactical Missile Innovation Challenge,...

By GovernmentCIO Media & Research
Rental Fee Transparency and the Software Test for Property Managers
BlogFeb 12, 2026

Rental Fee Transparency and the Software Test for Property Managers

Regulators are shifting fee‑transparency from a best‑practice suggestion to enforceable law, with the FTC warning rental‑software providers and states mandating upfront disclosure of all mandatory charges. Property managers must now display administrative, amenity and move‑in fees consistently across listings, emails...

By Geek Estate Blog
Practical AI Use Cases in Public Services: What’s Safe and What Works?
BlogFeb 12, 2026

Practical AI Use Cases in Public Services: What’s Safe and What Works?

In February 2026 dxw and Basis hosted a workshop for public‑sector leaders on practical AI use cases, emphasizing outcomes over mere cost‑cutting. Participants shared successful pilots, identified friction points, and explored how AI can enhance relational services such as health...

By dxw — Blog —
Deposing the Sorcerer’s Apprentice
BlogFeb 12, 2026

Deposing the Sorcerer’s Apprentice

President Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and installed Elon Musk as its temporary head. Musk announced that his team dismantled the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) over a weekend, prompting a lawsuit alleging violations of the...

By Notice & Comment (Yale Journal on Regulation)
Integrating FIDO Standards Into Secure OT Connectivity — A Practical Path to Resilience
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Integrating FIDO Standards Into Secure OT Connectivity — A Practical Path to Resilience

The FIDO Alliance is mapping its phishing‑resistant passkeys, Device Onboard (FDO) and emerging Bare Metal Onboarding (BMO) to the UK NCSC’s Secure Connectivity Principles for Operational Technology. By replacing passwords with cryptographic credentials, FIDO eliminates the most common breach vector...

By FIDO Alliance – News/Blog
Impact of AI on Transport | TG Explains AI
PodcastFeb 12, 20260 min

Impact of AI on Transport | TG Explains AI

TeleGeography’s podcast with Luis Colasante examines the emerging bottlenecks in AI infrastructure. He explains that AI‑driven data centers consume two to three times more power than traditional cloud facilities, positioning energy availability as the chief constraint on digital growth. The discussion...

By TeleGeography Explains the Internet
AI Self-Governance: It’s a Continuous Process
BlogFeb 12, 2026

AI Self-Governance: It’s a Continuous Process

In July 2024 mySociety published its first AI Framework, establishing a principle of using AI responsibly and only when it is the best tool for the job. To keep the guidance current, the organisation now follows a three‑pronged approach: a...

By mySociety — News/Blog —
College of Policing Accounts ‘Disclaimed’ by Auditor for Second Year in Wake of IT Failure
NewsFeb 12, 2026

College of Policing Accounts ‘Disclaimed’ by Auditor for Second Year in Wake of IT Failure

The National Audit Office refused to endorse the College of Policing’s 2024‑25 accounts for a second consecutive year, citing lingering fallout from a botched migration to the Home Office’s Oracle‑based Metis system. The IT switch triggered inaccurate financial reporting and...

By ComputerWeekly
Why Do Sovereign AI Projects Fail? IBM’s Chief Scientist Ruchir Puri on the Pitfalls Governments Face
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Why Do Sovereign AI Projects Fail? IBM’s Chief Scientist Ruchir Puri on the Pitfalls Governments Face

At the AI Everything 2026 conference in Cairo, IBM Research chief scientist Ruchir Puri warned that sovereign AI initiatives are tripping over three core organisational flaws: chaotic data, unrealistic expectations, and cultural resistance. He explained that without unified data governance,...

By Indian Express AI
SmartBear Partners with Carahsoft
NewsFeb 11, 2026

SmartBear Partners with Carahsoft

SmartBear announced an expanded partnership with Carahsoft, designating the latter as its Master Government Aggregator for federal, state and local agencies. The agreement routes SmartBear’s API development, automated testing and application monitoring solutions—including ReadyAPI, TestComplete, Swagger, Reflect, BugSnag and Zephyr—through...

By DEVOPSdigest
“Free” Surveillance Tech Still Comes at a High and Dangerous Cost
BlogFeb 11, 2026

“Free” Surveillance Tech Still Comes at a High and Dangerous Cost

The piece warns that "free" surveillance technology—delivered through vendor pilots, federal grants, and wealthy donor gifts—carries hidden civil‑liberty costs and long‑term financial obligations. It cites examples such as Denver’s drone trials, Denver’s contested Flock ALPR contract, Atlanta’s police foundation opacity,...

By Electronic Frontier Foundation — Deeplinks —
Three Strategies for Designing an E-Procurement System: Lessons Learned in Nuevo León, Mexico
BlogFeb 11, 2026

Three Strategies for Designing an E-Procurement System: Lessons Learned in Nuevo León, Mexico

Nuevo León’s Ministry of Administration, with the Open Contracting Partnership, launched a three‑stage e‑procurement redesign that began with a deep, collaborative diagnosis of existing processes, moved to a data‑driven functional and modular design, and concluded with a market‑engagement phase using...

By Open Contracting Partnership — Latest News/Blog —
ITS UK Annual Conference Agenda Revealed for Manchester Event
NewsFeb 11, 2026

ITS UK Annual Conference Agenda Revealed for Manchester Event

Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) has released the agenda for its Annual Conference, scheduled for 3‑4 March at Manchester Central Convention Centre as part of the Interchange event. The Department for Transport’s chief scientific advisor, Patricia Thornley, will deliver the keynote...

By Traffic Technology Today
EU Commission Breach – The Importance of Upholding Strong Device Management Infrastructure
BlogFeb 11, 2026

EU Commission Breach – The Importance of Upholding Strong Device Management Infrastructure

Last week the European Commission disclosed a cyberattack that compromised its mobile device management (MDM) platform, exposing staff names and phone numbers. Security experts from Huntress, Keeper Security, and CyberSmart warned that MDM systems are now a primary attack vector,...

By IT Security Guru
BBC – Live Facial Recognition Trialled at London Railway Station
BlogFeb 11, 2026

BBC – Live Facial Recognition Trialled at London Railway Station

The British Transport Police have launched a live facial‑recognition pilot at London Bridge railway station, marking the first real‑time biometric surveillance deployment on the UK rail network. The trial uses cameras that match faces against police watchlists as passengers move...

By Big Brother Watch — Blog —
Improving the Written Questions System
BlogFeb 11, 2026

Improving the Written Questions System

MySociety has submitted written evidence to the UK Procedure Committee’s inquiry on Written Questions, urging tighter alignment with Freedom of Information (FOI) requests. The submission recommends that any rejected parliamentary question be retrospectively converted into an FOI request to enable...

By mySociety — News/Blog —
Mamdani Appoints Lisa Gelobter as NYC CTO
NewsFeb 11, 2026

Mamdani Appoints Lisa Gelobter as NYC CTO

Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Lisa Gelobter as New York City’s Chief Technology Officer and Commissioner of the Office of Technology and Innovation. Gelobter, a veteran technologist who helped create the GIF and launch Hulu, will oversee digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and...

By Cities Today
Iran's Internet Shutdown, Anthropic's UK Partnership, and the Dutch Dilemma of Strategic Autonomy
BlogFeb 11, 2026

Iran's Internet Shutdown, Anthropic's UK Partnership, and the Dutch Dilemma of Strategic Autonomy

This episode examines the growing push for digital sovereignty in Europe, spotlighting the Dutch dilemma over US‑owned cloud providers, France’s decision to replace Zoom and Teams with a home‑grown video platform, and broader AI‑driven public‑service reforms. It highlights how the...

By interweave.gov —
Coalition Urges California to Revoke Permits for Federal License Plate Reader Surveillance
BlogFeb 10, 2026

Coalition Urges California to Revoke Permits for Federal License Plate Reader Surveillance

A coalition led by the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Imperial Valley Equity & Justice has asked Governor Gavin Newsom and Caltrans to immediately revoke permits that allow federal agencies such as Customs and Border Patrol and the DEA to install...

By Electronic Frontier Foundation — Deeplinks —
Mergers, Monopoly Prices, and Accountability - Episode 676 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast
PodcastFeb 10, 202651 min

Mergers, Monopoly Prices, and Accountability - Episode 676 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast

In this episode, Chris Mitchell, Doug Dawson, and Sean Gonsalves dissect recent telecom mergers, examine Starlink’s attempts to influence the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funding rules, and discuss new research linking reduced competition to higher consumer prices. They...

By Community Broadband Bits
When Law Becomes Data: What Brazil’s LexML Reveals About Akoma Ntoso
BlogFeb 10, 2026

When Law Becomes Data: What Brazil’s LexML Reveals About Akoma Ntoso

Brazil’s LexML portal, built on the open‑source Akoma Ntoso XML standard, aggregates official texts, court decisions, and bills into a single searchable system. While the platform centralizes legislative documents, it fails to integrate political metadata such as bill sponsors or...

By Modern Parliament —
Untitled
BlogFeb 10, 2026

Untitled

Ré Dubhthaigh of Dublin City Council highlights that place data is far more complex than simple addresses, encompassing centuries of urban growth. The council must navigate 800+ years of layered, messy data while delivering real services, not starting from a...

By Richard Pope —
Savage Giving Specific IT Power Back to the State Agencies
PodcastFeb 10, 202643 min

Savage Giving Specific IT Power Back to the State Agencies

In this episode, Maryland CIO Katie Savage discusses how the state is balancing the creation of centralized enterprise IT services with the need to empower individual agencies to retain specialized technology expertise. She outlines the strategies used to standardize core...

By Ask the CIO (Apple listing)
California City Approves $683K Drone Program for Police Emergencies
NewsFeb 10, 2026

California City Approves $683K Drone Program for Police Emergencies

Santa Ana City Council approved a Drone as a First Responder program, allocating up to $682,900 to purchase five Skydio drones over three years. The drones will be deployed only for clearly defined emergencies such as active crimes, searches, and...

By DroneDJ
From NIMBY to YIMBY: A Playbook for Data Center Community Acceptance
NewsFeb 9, 2026

From NIMBY to YIMBY: A Playbook for Data Center Community Acceptance

The data‑center industry is moving from a defensive NIMBY stance to a proactive YIMBY strategy, driven by tools like the Digital Infrastructure Framework that give local governments clear evaluation language and negotiation leverage. Communities such as Loudoun County now see...

By Data Center Frontier
Utah Advances Policy-First Digital Identity Framework Centered On Individual Control
NewsFeb 9, 2026

Utah Advances Policy-First Digital Identity Framework Centered On Individual Control

Utah is drafting comprehensive State‑Endorsed Digital Identity (SEDI) legislation that puts individuals in control of their cryptographic keys while the government acts only as an endorser. The policy relies on open standards, supports both long‑lived and short‑term credentials, and preserves...

By StateTech Magazine
Federal Agencies Embrace Networking as a Service to Modernize Their Networks
NewsFeb 6, 2026

Federal Agencies Embrace Networking as a Service to Modernize Their Networks

Federal agencies such as CISA and the VA are rapidly adopting Network as a Service (NaaS) to replace legacy network infrastructure. By partnering with FedRAMP‑authorized providers like Cisco Meraki and Juniper Mist, they gain cloud‑native agility, scalable security, and AI‑driven...

By FedTech Magazine
A Smarter Single Market: Why Transparency and Data Must Drive EU Procurement Reform
BlogFeb 6, 2026

A Smarter Single Market: Why Transparency and Data Must Drive EU Procurement Reform

The EU’s upcoming Public Procurement Directive revision aims to replace paper‑based, fragmented processes with a digital, data‑driven system. Advocates call for EU‑wide data standards, mandatory publication of contracts above roughly €30,000, and open, machine‑readable access via APIs. Such reforms would...

By Open Contracting Partnership — Latest News/Blog —
CMS’ Roadmap for Switching to FHIR-Based Digital Quality Measures
NewsFeb 6, 2026

CMS’ Roadmap for Switching to FHIR-Based Digital Quality Measures

CMS announced a roadmap to transition its quality measurement programs from eCQMs to FHIR‑based digital quality measures (dQMs). The agency released draft dQM packages covering 17 inpatient, 4 outpatient, and 49 clinician measures and opened a public comment period through...

By Healthcare Innovation
The Best-Kept Secret Federal Feedback Loop Model
BlogFeb 6, 2026

The Best-Kept Secret Federal Feedback Loop Model

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) operates as an independent office within the IRS, reporting directly to Congress and enforcing the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. By turning individual service requests into actionable data, TAS provides targeted recommendations to the IRS and...

By Modern Parliament —
Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Air Taxi Demos, Police Drone Programs, and Weather Forecasting
NewsFeb 6, 2026

Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Air Taxi Demos, Police Drone Programs, and Weather Forecasting

SkyDrive Inc. will showcase its SD-05 eVTOL passenger drone in Tokyo this February, a public demonstration that precedes a planned 2028 market launch and supports Japan’s 2030 commercial vertiport roadmap. In Ohio, six police agencies have adopted Skydio drones, fielding...

By Commercial UAV News (if feed accessible)
Bridging Continents: Lessons Learned From Singapore and Estonia’s Tech Journeys
NewsFeb 6, 2026

Bridging Continents: Lessons Learned From Singapore and Estonia’s Tech Journeys

Singapore and Estonia, despite their size, have cultivated vibrant tech and startup ecosystems anchored by strong government backing and well‑connected investor networks. Recent initiatives such as the Estonian Business Hub in Singapore enable cross‑border trade missions, exemplified by startup ÄIO’s...

By e27