Scoop: Top U.S. Cyber Agency Doesn't Have Access to Anthropic's Powerful Hacking Model
Anthropic’s new Mythos Preview model, a powerful AI tool for discovering security flaws, is being tested by more than 40 private firms and federal agencies such as the NSA, but the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) remains without access. The company withheld a public release due to the model’s potential for misuse, opting instead for limited, controlled deployments. CISA, already grappling with a proposed $707 million budget cut and a loss of over a third of its workforce, is therefore missing a critical resource for defending critical infrastructure. This gap emerges as the Trump administration shifts cyber‑policy authority toward the White House’s national cyber director.
Federal Courts Use GIS to Improve Security, Visitor Experience
The Administrative Office of the Courts is deploying geographic information system (GIS) technology to replace fragmented security applications with a unified platform. The new system integrates incident management, public safety, and physical security functions, allowing real‑time data sharing across federal...
Anthropic Adds Mobile ID Verification for Claude via Persona
Anthropic has introduced a mobile identity verification step for certain Claude capabilities, partnering with third‑party vendor Persona. Users flagged for verification must upload a government‑issued photo ID and a live selfie, with Persona handling document authenticity and liveness checks. Anthropic...
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Niger's Rollout of Biometric IDs Gets a Thumbs Up
In March 2026 Niger officially launched a nationwide enrollment for mandatory biometric identity cards and e‑passports, making the IDs compulsory for citizens aged 15 and older. The cards carry a ten‑year validity and cost roughly $6 each, a price that...
£9,000 Heat Pump Grant Boost Announced for some UK Homeowners
The UK government has boosted the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, raising the maximum grant for replacing oil or LPG boilers with heat pumps from £7,500 to £9,000 (about $11,500). The higher subsidy targets homes off the gas grid in England and...
Security Researchers Hacked the Demo Version of the European Commission's New Age Verification App in Less than Two Minutes
Security researchers cracked the European Commission’s demo age‑verification Android app in under two minutes by editing its eudi‑wallet.xml file to reset the six‑digit PIN and access stored credentials. The Commission insists the flaw exists only in the demo and will...
Fintechs Push Bill for Fed Payment Rail Access
U.S. Representatives Young Kim (R‑CA) and Sam Liccardo (D‑CA) introduced the Payments Access and Consumer Efficiency (PACE) Act, a House bill that would allow qualified fintechs to access the Federal Reserve’s FedACH and FedNow payment rails as “registered covered providers.”...
Former FBI Official Proposes Terror Designations for Ransomware Hackers Targeting Hospitals
Former FBI cyber chief Cynthia Kaiser urged the House Homeland Security Committee to treat ransomware groups that hit hospitals as terrorists, citing the Bush‑era terror‑financing authority and Executive Order 13224. She also recommended that prosecutors consider felony‑murder charges when ransomware‑induced...
Transforming Crisis Response: Direct EMS Radio Access for Peer Support Teams in Marion County
Marion County, Florida, has embedded peer support specialists directly into the EMS radio system, allowing real‑time dispatch alongside fire and ambulance crews. The change lets behavioral‑health professionals engage individuals at the moment of overdose or crisis, rather than after hospital...
Pharma Exporters Facing Issues with Online National Drug Licensing System
Indian pharmaceutical exporters are encountering technical problems with the Online National Drug Licensing System (ONDLS), which issues Certificates of Pharmaceutical Products (COPP) under the WHO Good Manufacturing Practices scheme. The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) has launched a feedback drive...
Cottbus Deploys First Hydrogen Buses on Public Routes
Cottbusverkehr has begun testing four Wrightbus Kite Hydroliner fuel‑cell buses on regular city routes, marking the first hydrogen‑powered service in the area. A mobile hydrogen refueling station was commissioned this month to keep the buses running until a permanent depot is...
Medicare: CMS’s Use of Data Analytics to Identify and Prevent Fraud
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is leveraging data analytics to detect and stop Medicare fraud, focusing on anomalous billing patterns and spikes. Using these tools, CMS suspended payments and revoked enrollment for 15 providers tied to a...
EU Firms Eye Noise Prediction Standard to Aid Festival Planning Headaches
European audio firms L‑Acoustics, d&b audiotechnik and SoundPLAN are developing the SDE (Sound Data Exchange) standard, a neutral file format that lets concert‑sound designs be exported directly into environmental noise‑prediction software. The format preserves phase data, enabling accurate modelling of...
New State Law Could Legalize Grey Area E-Bikes but Complicates Other Electric Bike Rules
Minnesota lawmakers introduced HF3785 to address the growing gray‑area of high‑powered electric two‑wheelers that sit between traditional e‑bikes and motorcycles. The bill retains the existing Class 1‑3 definitions up to 750 W, but adds a new “motorized bicycle” category for vehicles between...
From Jobsite to Network: Scaling Smart Work Zones Across Programs
The FHWA’s Work Zone Data Exchange (WZDx) specification is turning isolated smart work zones into a unified data ecosystem, enabling real‑time sharing of location, lane‑closure and timing information with traffic‑management centers, navigation apps and connected‑vehicle services. By organizing these zones...
Madagascar Navigates Biometric Enrollment Challenges with Laxton’s Help
Madagascar’s national digital ID programme, PRODIGY, is rolling out with Laxton’s end‑to‑end biometric enrollment solution despite a regime change, civil unrest and a cyclone. Laxton supplied and supported 2,500 weather‑proof kits that capture iris, face and fingerprint data, even offline,...
Sentech Urges Investment in SA’s Digital Infrastructure
Sentech CEO Tebogo Leshope urged South Africa to accelerate investment in digital infrastructure, emphasizing data‑centre capacity as a catalyst for economic growth and AI adoption. The government’s Operation Vulindlela 2.0 programme now lists data‑centres alongside electricity, ports and transport as priority...
Researchers Give Malaysian Gov’t Lengthy Digital ID To-Do List
Malaysia’s MyDigital ID, launched in 2023, now serves as a single sign‑on for over 80 government and regulated private services. The Khazanah Research Institute’s discussion paper applauds its security, privacy‑by‑design and governance, but flags gaps in statutory framework, oversight, funding...
Nigerian Banks Will Now Verify Fraud-Linked Mobile Numbers Under New CBN–NCC Agreement
Nigeria’s Central Bank and the Nigerian Communications Commission signed a memorandum of understanding that gives banks real‑time access to telecom data through the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS). The system lets financial institutions verify whether a mobile number linked...
Listen: EU Fines Against X – Will Elon Musk Comply with Brussels Rules?
The European Union fined X (formerly Twitter) $130 million under the Digital Services Act, a penalty representing roughly 2‑4% of the platform’s annual revenue of $2‑4 billion. Elon Musk has appealed the sanction and skipped a scheduled judicial hearing in Paris, where...
Homeland Security Reportedly Wants to Develop Smart Glasses for ICE
The Department of Homeland Security is developing "ICE Glasses," smart eyewear that captures video and runs facial‑recognition and gait‑analysis algorithms to identify individuals in real time. Budget documents show the prototypes aim for field deployment by September 2027, giving ICE...
How to Achieve Reliable Communication in Emergency Scenarios
When disasters strike, traditional communication networks—cell towers, landlines and commercial broadband—often fail first, leaving responders disconnected. Recent events like Hurricane Helene, which knocked out over 3,400 cell sites, and a FirstNet outage in February 2024 illustrate the vulnerability of infrastructure‑dependent...
Miovision Launches GenAI Agent for Traffic Departments
Miovision has introduced Mateo, the industry’s first purpose‑built generative AI agent for intelligent mobility, embedded in its Miovision One platform. The agent translates complex traffic datasets into natural‑language insights, producing charts, maps and safety metrics on demand. In beta trials...
Hong Kong Launches Automated Parking System at Yau Ma Tei Short-Term Tenancy Site
Hong Kong’s Transport Department has installed an automated parking system (APS) at the Hoi Wang Road short‑term tenancy car park in Yau Ma Tei. The puzzle‑stacking setup provides 117 APS slots within a 200‑space facility, the largest APS deployment at a...
Mobai Certified for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection
Norwegian digital identity company Mobai has secured ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification, confirming its Information Security Management System meets international standards. The audit, conducted by DNV, took effect on March 30, 2026, and is crucial for its biometric services to financial, government,...
Government Pours $30m Into Counter-Drone Technology in Wake of Iran War
The Australian government has allocated about $30 million AUD (≈$20 million USD) to two domestic firms—Sypaq and AIM Defence—to fast‑track counter‑drone solutions. Sypaq will develop the Corvo Strike armed drone that can hunt larger UAVs, while AIM Defence will advance the Fractl high‑power...
White House Unveils National AI Legislative Framework
On March 20, the White House released a national artificial‑intelligence legislative framework outlining seven objectives, from mandatory parental controls to preempting state AI laws. The proposal urges Congress to codify child‑safety safeguards, ratepayer protections, IP licensing options, and regulatory sandboxes while...
AU Protocol on Digital Trade Expected to Boost DPI in Africa: AfCFTA SG
African Union Secretary‑General Wamkele Mene said the newly adopted AU Protocol on Digital Trade could catalyze massive investment in digital public infrastructure (DPI) across the continent. The protocol, backed by eight annexes covering cross‑border payments, data flows, digital identity, fintech, AI...
Entries Open for Police Tech Innovation Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2026 National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC) Innovation and Digital Awards, which honor police officers and staff deploying technology to enhance public safety. The program spans 11 categories, ranging from cybersecurity and business transformation to...
Advanced AI Raises Security Risks
Palo Alto Networks warns that emerging generative AI models will soon become powerful tools for cyber attackers. In internal tests, the firm’s AI completed the equivalent of a year’s penetration testing in just three weeks and demonstrated the ability to...
Will the UK’s Datacentre Strategy Deliver?
The UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has set a 2030 goal of delivering 6 GW of AI‑capable datacentre capacity. Recent analysis shows current build‑out is lagging, making the target unlikely without rapid acceleration in power and cooling investments....
How GAO’s Artificial Intelligence Use Cases Show What Practical Government AI Looks Like
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a March 2026 catalog listing ten AI use cases, five of which are fully operational. The tools automate search, text classification, document conversion, and legislative mandate analysis, while a generative AI prototype assists staff...
More than $1m Worth of Fines From AI Seatbelt Cameras Withdrawn in WA
Western Australia has withdrawn more than $1.1 million AUD (≈$730,000 USD) in seat‑belt fines after six months of AI‑assisted road‑safety cameras. The system issued roughly 53,000 seat‑belt infringements, of which about 2,000 were cancelled, representing less than 4% of total penalties. Minister...
Hobart to Ditch Hire E-Scooters and Bring in 'Safer' E-Bikes Instead
The City of Hobart announced it will remove its shared e‑scooter fleet and replace it with a dedicated e‑bike program. Council cited ongoing safety, regulatory and parking issues as the primary drivers of the change. The e‑bike initiative builds on...
House Approves FirstNet Authority Reauthorization Bill
The U.S. House approved H.R. 7386, reauthorizing the FirstNet Authority through September 2037 and tightening oversight by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The bipartisan bill, passed by voice vote, amends the 2012 law to require NTIA pre‑approval for most FirstNet...
Saildrone Joins Growing Competition for Navy's Medium-Sized Drone Vessel
San Francisco‑based Saildrone entered the Navy's Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) competition with its Spectre design, a 250‑tonne craft capable of 27 knots and a 25‑tonne payload. The vessel features optional sail‑driven, near‑silent propulsion for anti‑submarine warfare and can be reconfigured...
AI Age Estimation Has Been Tested on 2.5m Pics and Shown Signs of ‘Workable Results’ at Pace, Minister Claims
The UK Home Office has trialed an AI system that estimates a person’s age from facial images, using a dataset of roughly 2.5 million photos spanning diverse ethnicities, genders and age groups. Ministers say the technology delivers "workable results" faster and...
Welin Lambie All-Electric Davit Achieves OPC Program Test Milestone
Welin Lambie, a Fairbanks Morse Defense company, announced that its TWPIV 5.0E all‑electric, dual‑point davit system completed the First Article Test for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) Stage 2 program in three days, a day ahead of schedule....
Sertex Opens Regional Office in Maine to Assist Statewide Effort
Sertex Broadband Solutions opened a 9,600‑square‑foot regional office in Sidney, Maine, positioned near I‑95 exit 113. The facility, featuring 7,200 sq ft of warehouse and office space, will act as a long‑term hub for engineering, construction and logistics on the state’s MOOSE...
Hong Kong: AI-Driven Systems to Power a Sustainable Energy Future
The 2026 Belt and Road Advanced Programme in Power and Energy concluded in Hong Kong, showcasing AI‑driven solutions for modern power grids. Participants demonstrated machine‑learning cable diagnostics, 3‑D GIS digital twins, and intelligent dispatch systems that improve reliability and integrate...
UK to Streamline Planning Rules to Unlock Grid Infrastructure
The UK government announced on 21 April that new planning rules will let larger electricity substations be built without full applications, speeding grid connections for homes, businesses, EV chargers and data centres. The package also creates streamlined routes for routine grid...
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[Podcast] AI Meets USPTO: The United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Evolution in the Digital Era
The United States Patent and Trademark Office launched a new podcast series highlighting its AI‑focused transformation. In the latest episode, the USPTO announced formal guidance on how artificial intelligence should be used by examiners and disclosed by patent applicants. The...
Permitting Reform Needed As Energy, Data Center Demand Surges
Federal permitting rules are under pressure as U.S. energy and data‑center demand surge, with industry leaders warning that review processes can stretch four to five years. Speakers at an American Enterprise Institute panel highlighted the fragmented involvement of the Interior,...
The FTC’s AI Portfolio Is About to Get Bigger
The Federal Trade Commission is preparing to enforce the Take It Down Act, a law that criminalizes the distribution of AI‑generated nonconsensual sexual images and gives victims a right to request rapid removal of such content. Enforcement begins in May,...
Telstra, Optus, TPG Say UOMO Devised with Unrealistic Expectations
Australia’s new Universal Mobile Service Obligation (UOMO) bill requires Telstra, Optus and TPG to deliver voice and text services across 5 million square kilometres starting December 2027. The three carriers warned parliament that satellite‑to‑mobile (STM) technology, especially for emergency calls, will not...
The Government Is Buying AI Faster than It Is Assigning Authority
The federal government is rapidly purchasing AI tools while neglecting clear authority to halt or modify them. Current AI governance emphasizes principles like fairness and transparency, but agencies lack explicit override rights, auditable decision trails, and contract terms that preserve...
How Real-Time Crime Centers Draw on Video Surveillance
DeKalb County, Georgia, opened a Real‑Time Crime Center (RTCC) on Dec. 15 as part of its Digital Shield initiative, deploying over 230 live Flock cameras, 270 license‑plate readers and a 32‑by‑4‑foot digital wall that aggregates feeds from Axon Fusus, state DOT...
Senators Propose Update to Communications Accessibility Law
Senators Ed Markey and Ben Ray Luján, joined by Representatives Debbie Dingell and Brian Fitzpatrick, introduced a bipartisan Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act to modernize the 2010 accessibility law. The bill expands captioning, audio description, and device activation requirements...
Enterprise Service Management Gains Ground Across Federal Agencies Amid Demands
Federal agencies are turning to enterprise service management (ESM) to replace siloed IT, HR and payroll systems with a single digital front door. The shift is driven by hybrid‑work expectations, the promise of AI‑enabled automation, and a desire to cut...
ISED Inquired About ‘Opt-Out Mechanism’ for AI-Generated News Summaries on Tech Platforms
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) has asked what a fair opt‑out mechanism would look like for AI‑generated news summaries on platforms such as Google’s AI Overviews. News publishers argue these summaries siphon traffic, with up to 60%...