GovTech News and Headlines

HID Reports Delicate Opportunity for Biometrics Adoption in Shaky Trust Environment
NewsFeb 20, 2026

HID Reports Delicate Opportunity for Biometrics Adoption in Shaky Trust Environment

HID’s 2026 State of Security and Identity Report, based on a survey of over 1,500 security and IT leaders, shows digital identity management is a top priority for 73% of respondents. Three‑quarters of organizations have already deployed or are evaluating...

By Biometric Update
CDC Enterprise Architect to Detail Digital Transformation at HIMSS26
NewsFeb 20, 2026

CDC Enterprise Architect to Detail Digital Transformation at HIMSS26

At HIMSS26, CDC Acting Chief Enterprise Architect Ryan M. Harrison will unveil the agency’s Technical Reference Architecture (TRA), a unified framework that codifies IT standards across CDC. The presentation targets both IT leaders and developers, illustrating how the TRA integrates...

By Healthcare IT News (HIMSS Media)
Maryland Turns to Tech to Improve Foster Care Outcomes for Children
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Maryland Turns to Tech to Improve Foster Care Outcomes for Children

Maryland’s Department of Human Services has rolled out Binti’s kinship‑search software to help caseworkers locate family members for children in foster care. Since its September launch, the tool has powered more than 4,500 searches and identified over 4,300 potential kin...

By Route Fifty — Finance
State Department Clears Last Protest, Finalizes Awards for $10B Evolve IT Vehicle
NewsFeb 20, 2026

State Department Clears Last Protest, Finalizes Awards for $10B Evolve IT Vehicle

The State Department has cleared the last protest against its $10 billion Evolve IT services vehicle and announced the final round of 48 contract awards across five functional categories. Evolve consolidates eleven existing contracts into a single multiple‑award vehicle with a...

By Washington Technology
Media Authentication an Emerging Front in Battle Against Deepfakes: Microsoft Report
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Media Authentication an Emerging Front in Battle Against Deepfakes: Microsoft Report

Microsoft released a report on media integrity and authentication (MIA), detailing techniques such as C2PA provenance, imperceptible watermarking, and soft‑hash fingerprinting to verify digital content origins. The study concludes that no single method can stop deepfakes, urging a layered approach...

By Biometric Update
AI Empowers Cyber Criminals. Could It Also Help Schools Fight Them?
NewsFeb 20, 2026

AI Empowers Cyber Criminals. Could It Also Help Schools Fight Them?

School districts are experimenting with generative and agentic AI to bolster cybersecurity, but results are mixed. While vendor‑built AI features provide more reliable insights than generic models, many districts still rely on traditional tools due to staffing and budget constraints....

By GovTech — Education (K-12)
One Billion Identity Records Exposed in Unsecured ID Verification Database
NewsFeb 20, 2026

One Billion Identity Records Exposed in Unsecured ID Verification Database

A cloud‑based identity verification database tied to IDMerit was found exposed without password protection or encryption, leaking roughly one billion personal records across at least 26 countries. The trove, estimated at one terabyte, contained names, dates of birth, addresses, phone...

By Biometric Update
FBI’s AI, Biometrics Boom Is Accelerating, but Paperwork Isn’t Keeping Up
NewsFeb 20, 2026

FBI’s AI, Biometrics Boom Is Accelerating, but Paperwork Isn’t Keeping Up

The FBI’s AI inventory more than doubled from 19 cases in 2024 to 50 in 2025, with nine high‑impact tools embedded in law‑enforcement workflows such as facial recognition and data triage. The rapid expansion outpaces the DOJ’s transparency requirements under...

By Biometric Update
New Waymo Robotaxi Now Running Fully Autonomously on U.S. Roads
NewsFeb 20, 2026

New Waymo Robotaxi Now Running Fully Autonomously on U.S. Roads

Waymo announced that its sixth‑generation Waymo Driver is now operating fully autonomously on U.S. public roads, deployed in the new Ojai robotaxi built on Geely’s Zeekr Mix. The fleet, which previously relied on Jaguar I‑Pace conversions, will soon include Hyundai Ioniq 5...

By Urgent Communications
Moroccan Regtech Charikaty Raises $150K on National Investment Show
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Moroccan Regtech Charikaty Raises $150K on National Investment Show

Moroccan regtech startup Charikaty secured MAD 1.5 million ($150,000) on the TV show “Qui Veut Investir Dans Mon Projet?” Season 3. The investment was led by Ilan Benhaim, co‑founder of Veepee and Endeavor Morocco chair, and Karim Amor, president of MeM by CGEM....

By Wamda
Jordan’s Banking Sector Now Accepts Sanad App as Valid Customer Identification
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Jordan’s Banking Sector Now Accepts Sanad App as Valid Customer Identification

Jordan’s Central Bank issued a directive on Feb 16, 2026 that the Sanad mobile app’s digital identity credential is now legally equivalent to physical ID documents for banking transactions. The mandate applies to every bank in the kingdom, obligating them to accept...

By Mobile ID World
Five Indian Tech Giants Vie for Sri Lanka’s MOSIP-Based National ID Contract as March Decision Looms
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Five Indian Tech Giants Vie for Sri Lanka’s MOSIP-Based National ID Contract as March Decision Looms

Sri Lanka is set to appoint a Master System Integrator (MSI) for its Unified Digital Identity (SL‑UDI) program by the end of March 2026. Five Indian tech giants—Infosys, TCS, Protean e‑Gov, RailTel and Bharat Electronics—have been pre‑qualified and entered the techno‑commercial...

By Mobile ID World
This Spanish City Is Resurrecting a 3,000-Year-Old Solution To Fight Extreme Heat
NewsFeb 20, 2026

This Spanish City Is Resurrecting a 3,000-Year-Old Solution To Fight Extreme Heat

Seville’s CartujaQanat project revives 3,000‑year‑old qanat aqueducts to provide low‑energy cooling for public spaces. By chilling water underground at night and circulating it through pipes and misting systems, indoor temperatures drop up to 12 °C during summer peaks. The €5 million EU‑funded...

By Next City
Coram Wins Statewide Indiana Contract to Deliver AI-Driven Security Solutions Through ECPA
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Coram Wins Statewide Indiana Contract to Deliver AI-Driven Security Solutions Through ECPA

Coram has secured a multi‑year statewide contract with the Educational Cooperative Purchasing Alliance (ECPA) and the Central Indiana Educational Service Center to provide AI‑driven integrated security solutions across Indiana’s schools, government facilities, and non‑profits. The agreement allows eligible institutions to...

By AiThority
Alliant 3's Award Process Starts to Roll
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Alliant 3's Award Process Starts to Roll

The General Services Administration (GSA) announced the first round of Alliant 3 awards, naming 43 contractors with a plan to select up to 76 firms. Alliant 3, a 10‑year, unlimited‑ceiling vehicle, replaces the $83 billion‑sized Alliant 2 contract and targets a broad...

By Washington Technology
X Challenges €120M EU Fine
NewsFeb 20, 2026

X Challenges €120M EU Fine

Elon Musk's X has filed a legal challenge against a €120 million fine imposed by the European Commission under the Digital Services Act. The penalty, issued in December, alleges breaches of transparency obligations and deceptive design of the platform’s blue verification...

By Politico Europe – Technology
SA Developers Take Centre Stage as Code4Mzansi Kicks Off
NewsFeb 20, 2026

SA Developers Take Centre Stage as Code4Mzansi Kicks Off

Huawei’s Code4Mzansi developer competition has launched in South Africa, inviting university students, start‑ups and small‑business founders to build cloud‑first solutions. Partnering with the Department of Small Business Development and local universities, the programme offers access to Huawei Cloud tools, mentorship...

By ITWeb (South Africa) – Public Sector
Hackers Breach Contractor Linked to Ukraine’s Central Bank Collectible Coin Store
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Hackers Breach Contractor Linked to Ukraine’s Central Bank Collectible Coin Store

Ukraine’s National Bank temporarily shut down its online collectible‑coin store after a cyberattack compromised customer registration data. Attackers accessed personal details such as names, phone numbers, email and delivery addresses through a contractor that supports the storefront, but no financial...

By The Record by Recorded Future
Environment Agency Plans Drone-Fleet Upgrade to Combat Waste Crime
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Environment Agency Plans Drone-Fleet Upgrade to Combat Waste Crime

The Environment Agency (EA) is boosting its waste‑crime enforcement with a £5 million budget increase, expanding its fleet of 33 drones and fitting several with lidar laser‑mapping technology. Since July last year the agency logged 272 drone flight hours, using the...

By PublicTechnology.net (UK)
EU Commission’s First Interoperability Report and Roadmap to a Seamless Digital EU
NewsFeb 20, 2026

EU Commission’s First Interoperability Report and Roadmap to a Seamless Digital EU

The European Commission released its inaugural Annual Interoperability Report, reviewing the first year of the Interoperable Europe Act that took effect in April 2024. The document highlights the creation of the Interoperable Europe Board, Community, and an enhanced portal that...

By Identity Week
ZADNA Probe Exposes Costly Executive Spend Amid Cash Decline
NewsFeb 20, 2026

ZADNA Probe Exposes Costly Executive Spend Amid Cash Decline

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies commissioned an investigation into ZADNA’s credit‑card spending, uncovering over R1 million in expenses for travel, entertainment and luxury vehicle rentals during the 2024/25 fiscal year. The report identified policy gaps, weak oversight and excessive...

By ITWeb (South Africa) – Public Sector
ETV Rolls Out 5G Broadcast in Serbia with Rohde & Schwarz
NewsFeb 20, 2026

ETV Rolls Out 5G Broadcast in Serbia with Rohde & Schwarz

Serbia’s public broadcaster ETV has chosen German firm Rohde & Schwarz to install the country’s first 5G Broadcast transmitter at its Avala site, complementing four new TH1 4.5 kW DVB‑T2 transmitters. The upgrade, part of a long‑standing partnership dating back to 2012, aims...

By Broadband TV News
Delhi Discom Showcases Its 'Digital Twin of Power Distribution Network' At AI Summit
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Delhi Discom Showcases Its 'Digital Twin of Power Distribution Network' At AI Summit

Delhi’s BSES Rajdhani Power Limited unveiled a Digital Twin of its power distribution network at the AI Impact Summit 2026. The AI‑driven platform creates a real‑time, map‑like view of the Janakpuri grid by fusing SCADA, GIS, IoT sensors, SAP and...

By ET EnergyWorld (The Economic Times)
How Westfield Modernized 18 Buildings Without Losing Its Past
NewsFeb 20, 2026

How Westfield Modernized 18 Buildings Without Losing Its Past

Westfield, Massachusetts partnered with Siemens to retrofit 18 municipal and school buildings, avoiding demolition of historic structures. The $40 million program focused on replacing aging steam boilers, installing high‑efficiency HVAC, and deploying a city‑wide energy management system. Upgrades cost $14 million for...

By FacilitiesNet (Building Operating Management)
Former Rep Cites Privacy, Public Safety in Push for AM Radio Bill
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Former Rep Cites Privacy, Public Safety in Push for AM Radio Bill

Former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter is urging Congress to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, a bipartisan bill that would require new vehicles to retain functional AM receivers. He argues that AM radio offers a privacy‑friendly, data‑free listening option...

By Radio Ink
Tech Gives Traffickers a Devastating New Weapon
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Tech Gives Traffickers a Devastating New Weapon

Traffickers are exploiting artificial intelligence, digital platforms and generative AI to scale sexual exploitation, financial sextortion and online scams targeting women and children. The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime reports 162 nationalities trafficked to 128 countries, with a 77%...

By ITWeb (South Africa) – Public Sector
Boston Launches Curb Lab to Digitise and Coordinate Kerb Space
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Boston Launches Curb Lab to Digitise and Coordinate Kerb Space

Boston’s Office of Emerging Technology has launched the Curb Lab, a cross‑department effort that uses artificial intelligence and open‑data assets to produce a live, citywide digital map of curb‑side parking rules. The initiative builds on a three‑year asset‑management platform and...

By Cities Today
Old Mutual’s Dhesen Ramsamy to Present at ITWeb AI Summit 2026
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Old Mutual’s Dhesen Ramsamy to Present at ITWeb AI Summit 2026

Old Mutual’s Group Chief Technology and Data Officer Dhesen Ramsamy will speak at the ITWeb AI Summit 2026 on April 22. He will argue that robust data governance and sovereignty are prerequisites for trustworthy, high‑performing AI. Ramsamy highlights South Africa’s...

By ITWeb (South Africa) – Public Sector
South Africa’s Dynamic Spectrum Breakthrough
NewsFeb 20, 2026

South Africa’s Dynamic Spectrum Breakthrough

Dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) was demonstrated in South Africa’s KwaZulu‑Natal region, delivering 5G speeds up to 200 Mbit/s over more than 4 km in both Ntuzuma and Ixopo. The trials, led by regulator Icasa, CSIR and local Wisps, proved that the 3.8‑4.2 GHz...

By TechCentral (South Africa)
California Governor Backs Social Media Restrictions for Teens Under 16
NewsFeb 20, 2026

California Governor Backs Social Media Restrictions for Teens Under 16

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his support for state legislation that would bar users under 16 from accessing major social‑media platforms, echoing Australia’s recent age‑gating rule. The governor’s stance comes as a bipartisan group of lawmakers pushes a bill that...

By Politico Europe – Technology
Smart Insole to Predict and Prevent Elderly Falls
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Smart Insole to Predict and Prevent Elderly Falls

University of Bristol engineer Dr. Jiayang Li has created a smart shoe insole equipped with 253 micro‑sensors that map pressure and gait in real time. The device consumes only 100 microwatts, enabling up to three months of operation on a...

By UKAuthority (UK)
Cattle Electronic ID Tags Plans Seeks Final Consultation
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Cattle Electronic ID Tags Plans Seeks Final Consultation

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a final public consultation on proposals to make electronic identification (EID) tags mandatory for all newborn cattle in Northern Ireland. The consultation, closing on 23 February 2026, asks stakeholders to comment...

By UKAuthority (UK)
A Better Way to Handle Immigrants’ Occupational Licensing
NewsFeb 20, 2026

A Better Way to Handle Immigrants’ Occupational Licensing

Universal license recognition (ULR) lets professionals keep their state licenses when they move, eliminating redundant testing and paperwork. The article argues that the same competence‑based model should be extended to foreign‑trained workers, whose credentials are often stalled by rigid “substantial...

By Governing — Finance
Hakuhodo Bangkok Brings Humour to Utilities with PEA “Quick Click. Life Slick.” Campaign
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Hakuhodo Bangkok Brings Humour to Utilities with PEA “Quick Click. Life Slick.” Campaign

Hakuhodo Bangkok unveiled the “Quick Click. Life Slick.” campaign to promote the Provincial Electricity Authority’s new digital hub, PEA Sabuy Service, which bundles five electricity‑related functions into a single online portal. The effort uses humor and the Thai notion of...

By Campaign Brief Asia
The Mandarin Live: Future Ready Public Service Queensland
NewsFeb 20, 2026

The Mandarin Live: Future Ready Public Service Queensland

The Mandarin Live: Future Ready Public Service – Queensland convenes senior leaders on 27‑28 May 2026 in Brisbane and online. The two‑day strategic forum will explore resilient systems, modern governance, and delivery at scale as Queensland prepares for the 2032 Olympics and...

By The Mandarin (Australia)
GovGurus Episode 16 – Trade Winds and Floor Moves
NewsFeb 20, 2026

GovGurus Episode 16 – Trade Winds and Floor Moves

GovGurus Episode 16, hosted by J. Richard Jones and featuring Lori Turnbull, examined two fast‑moving Ottawa storylines. Janice Charette was announced as Canada’s chief negotiator for the next Canada‑U.S. CUSMA talks, joining newly appointed ambassador Mark Wiseman in Washington. The episode also unpacked a wave...

By Canadian Government Executive
DSIT Examines How ‘AI Voice Tech Could Significantly Improve Citizen’s Experience’
NewsFeb 20, 2026

DSIT Examines How ‘AI Voice Tech Could Significantly Improve Citizen’s Experience’

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched an early‑stage market engagement to explore generative AI voice technology for government call centres, branding the initiative as a potential "GOV Voice" platform. The department seeks suppliers who can demonstrate...

By PublicTechnology.net (UK)
FETC26: Modernizing Ed Tech in the Post-Pandemic Era
NewsFeb 20, 2026

FETC26: Modernizing Ed Tech in the Post-Pandemic Era

At the recent Future of Education Technology Conference, SETDA executive director Julia Fallon warned that the expiration of pandemic‑era emergency relief is forcing K‑12 districts to shift from crisis‑driven spending to sustainable ed‑tech modernization. She highlighted the need to rethink...

By GovTech — Education (K-12)
Azerbaijan to Build Baku Tram System
NewsFeb 20, 2026

Azerbaijan to Build Baku Tram System

Azerbaijan announced a five‑line tram system for Baku, targeting completion by 2030. The first line will run from the city’s northern outskirts to the May 28 metro station, with an open tender for design and construction expected by the end of...

By Eurasianet
Security as a Service Enhances Federal Cybersecurity and Improves Scalability
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Security as a Service Enhances Federal Cybersecurity and Improves Scalability

Federal agencies are increasingly turning to Security as a Service (SECaaS) to maintain cyber defenses amid staffing cuts and the recent shutdown. The Navy, VA, Energy, Justice and Homeland Security rely on FedRAMP‑authorized AWS and Azure tools such as GuardDuty,...

By FedTech Magazine
Emerging Chiplet Designs Spark Fresh Cybersecurity Challenges
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Emerging Chiplet Designs Spark Fresh Cybersecurity Challenges

Chiplet technology is reshaping semiconductor design by allowing modular, mix‑and‑match silicon components, accelerating AI data‑center and autonomous‑vehicle development. However, the distributed manufacturing model creates new supply‑chain vulnerabilities, as a single compromised chiplet can introduce hardware Trojans that affect entire systems....

By Dark Reading
Singapore: Science-Policy Integration in Global AI Governance
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Singapore: Science-Policy Integration in Global AI Governance

Minister Josephine Teo highlighted Singapore’s strategy to shape global AI governance through science, multilateral cooperation, and substantial funding. The city‑state has pledged S$1 billion to a National AI R&D Plan and created a Digital Trust Centre, AI Safety Institute, and an...

By OpenGov Asia
Meriden, Connecticut Shuts Down City Internet After Disruption Attempt
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Meriden, Connecticut Shuts Down City Internet After Disruption Attempt

Meriden, Connecticut, temporarily shut down its municipal internet and public Wi‑Fi after detecting an attempted cyber disruption. The city’s IT department isolated the network within minutes, limiting impact to non‑essential municipal operations while emergency services remained functional. Police have opened...

By DataBreaches.net
DHS Awards Palantir up to $1B to Deploy AI and Data Analytics Platforms
NewsFeb 19, 2026

DHS Awards Palantir up to $1B to Deploy AI and Data Analytics Platforms

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has signed a five‑year blanket purchase agreement with Palantir Technologies worth up to $1 billion. The deal lets agencies such as Customs and Border Protection, ICE, FEMA and CISA tap Palantir’s Gotham and Foundry platforms...

By SiliconANGLE
UAE Signs First Contract for $8B High-Speed Rail Project
NewsFeb 19, 2026

UAE Signs First Contract for $8B High-Speed Rail Project

Etihad Rail Mobility, a joint venture of Etihad Rail and Keolis, awarded the first design‑and‑build contracts for the UAE’s $8 billion, 150‑km high‑speed rail linking Abu Dhabi and Dubai, slated for completion by 2030. The Abu Dhabi section will be built by a...

By Engineering News-Record (ENR)
BPS: A New Beat for Sam Matheny
NewsFeb 19, 2026

BPS: A New Beat for Sam Matheny

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is championing the Broadcast Positioning System (BPS) as a resilient alternative to GPS, citing growing concerns over satellite signal vulnerability. Sam Matheny joined the effort as BPS Executive Vice President at the start of...

By Radio & TV Business Report (RBR+TVBR)
Leidos Seeks to Be the Government's 'Beta Tester' For Artificial Intelligence
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Leidos Seeks to Be the Government's 'Beta Tester' For Artificial Intelligence

Leidos CEO Tom Bell said the firm will act as the government’s beta tester for artificial intelligence, embedding AI across its NorthStar 2030 strategy and digital modernization unit. The company plans to prototype AI tools internally before delivering them to...

By Washington Technology
Five Companies Protest Exclusion From NASA’s $60B SEWP VI Competition
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Five Companies Protest Exclusion From NASA’s $60B SEWP VI Competition

NASA’s $60 billion SEWP VI IT contract excluded five vendors, prompting protests filed with the Government Accountability Office. The GAO must issue rulings by May 27, a timeline that could push award announcements past the current SEWP V deadline of April 30. Delays may force...

By Washington Technology
Defence Sets Lithium Batteries Ablaze to Fast-Charge Sovereign Cell Development
NewsFeb 19, 2026

Defence Sets Lithium Batteries Ablaze to Fast-Charge Sovereign Cell Development

Australian Defence Science and Technology Group is deliberately igniting prototype lithium‑ion cells to understand failure modes and accelerate development of sovereign, fast‑charging batteries. The research targets military‑grade power solutions for radios, drones, armoured vehicles, future aircraft and Attack‑class submarines. By...

By The Mandarin (Australia)