Homeland & Cybersecurity
The latest coverage of the Department of Homeland Security and cyber threats around the globe.
Company kills plan for world’s largest data center hub near Manassas National Battlefield Park
A plan to build the world’s largest data center complex next to the Manassas National Battlefield Park is dead — killed by homeowners, preservationists and a string of court defeats.
Trump administration lifts restrictions on Anthropic’s Claude models after cybersecurity alarm
The Trump administration has lifted restrictions on artificial intelligence company Anthropic’s latest versions of its Claude chatbot, ending a weekslong ban tied to cybersecurity concerns.
House committee leaders strike elusive bipartisan deal on kids’ online safety legislation
House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders on Monday announced a bipartisan deal on a sweeping kids’ online safety package that has stalled in the chamber for years amid partisan disagreements.
Senate panel advances bill to protect against unauthorized AI copies of voice or likeness
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday advanced a bipartisan bill to protect against unauthorized digital copies of a person’s voice or likeness amid a rise in AI copycats.
All detainees from immigration facility ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ have been transferred, DHS says
All detainees at an immigration detention center in an isolated airstrip in the Florida Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” have been transferred to other facilities, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said, citing concerns related to the hurricane season.
Military used Musk’s Grok in strikes against Iran, Pentagon reveals
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence tool Grok was used to identify targets to strike against Iran, a top defense official revealed Tuesday.
‘AI is here’: Lawmakers pressed to prepare students for future that has already arrived
The outcry for federal guardrails on artificial intelligence shouldn’t stop the government from helping get AI into K-12 classrooms, education specialists recently told senators.
Cybersecurity executives urge the Trump administration to ease restrictions on Anthropic AI models
A group of cybersecurity executives and experts is asking the Trump administration to lift its directive preventing the use of Anthropic’s latest artificial intelligence models by foreign nationals, saying the move could help U.S. adversaries more than it hurts them.
Homeland Security’s Mullin says spy power lapse makes it more difficult to monitor threats
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Sunday the lapse of a key surveillance tool that enables the government to collect foreign intelligence has made it more difficult to keep Americans safe ahead of several high-profile events, including the World Cup and America’s 250th celebrations.
Senate intelligence chairman seeks federal probe of Chinese AI-related influence operation
China is engaged in a covert influence campaign to prevent the development of U.S. data centers needed for artificial intelligence capabilities, according to the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
Senate bill extends CHIPS Act tax credits to space-based semiconductor factories
A bipartisan duo is pushing a bill to clarify that tax credits include space-based semiconductor manufacturing.
Security firm says China stepping up AI tech cybertheft
Chinese hackers are increasing cyberattacks aimed at stealing advanced artificial intelligence technology in the United States, according to a report by the security company CrowdStrike.
FBI shutters covert Chinese websites targeting secrets
Federal authorities shut down 13 internet domains on Wednesday, which were said to be used by China for operations to obtain classified and sensitive U.S. government information, the Justice Department said.
EU orders Meta to restore WhatsApp access for rival AI chatbots
European Union regulators on Tuesday ordered Meta Platforms to restore access to WhatsApp for rival AI chatbot makers until an antitrust investigation is complete.
Federal judge erases Trump’s 39-country travel ban
A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s policy that barred applicants from the 39 countries on the president’s travel ban list.
FCC takes aim at school internet program as Big Tech backlash grows
All that classroom screen time may not be a good idea after all. The Trump administration is considering a top-to-bottom overhaul of a decades-old federal program that pays for public school internet — a system some children are using to watch pornography in class.
Multimedia
Document: Cybersecurity 2018: Online Security and Safety in Government, Industry and Civil Society
Download the Special Report available in the January 29, 2018, edition of The Washington Times. (3.8 MB)