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Daily Archives: September 16, 2014

FBI Says Biometric Database has Reached “Full Operational Capability”

“The FBI announced that the Next Generation Identification system, one of the largest biometric databases in the world, has reached “full operational capability.” In 2013, EPIC filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit about the NGI program. EPIC obtained documents that revealed an acceptance of a 20% error rate in facial recognition searches. Earlier this year, EPIC joined a coalition of civil liberties groups to urge the Attorney General Eric Holder to release an updated Privacy Impact Assessment for the NGI. The NGI is tied to “Rap Back,” the FBI’s ongoing investigation of civilians in trusted positions. EPIC also obtained FOIA documents revealing FBI agreements with state DMVs to run facial recognition searches, linked to NGI, on DMV databases. EPIC’s recent Spotlight on Surveillance concluded that NGI has “far-reaching implications for personal privacy and the risks of mass surveillance.” For more information, see EPIC: EPIC v. FBI – Next Generation identification.”

The New Climate Economy Report 2014

Better Growth Better Economy – The New Climate Economy – The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate – The Synthesis Report “All over the world, people want to achieve better lives for themselves and for their children. Governments want to secure economic growth, improve living standards, create jobs and reduce poverty. Businesses want to expand and become… Continue Reading

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S.: 2013

“The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that in 2013, the poverty rate declined from the previous year for the first time since 2006, while there was no statistically significant change in either the number of people living in poverty or real median household income. In addition, the poverty rate for children under 18 declined from… Continue Reading

BIS Quarterly Review September 2014

The BIS Quarterly Review for September 2014 says volatility stirs, markets unshaken. Press Release 14 September 2014 Related information – Notations used in the Quarterly Review Statistical data Statistical data behind all September 2014 Quarterly Review graphs (xls) Statistical annex: summary tables (PDF, 20 pages) Statistical annex: detailed tables (PDF, 152 pages) International banking statistics Continue Reading

Basel III Monitoring Report as of 31 December 2013

“This report presents the results of the Basel Committee’s Basel III monitoring exercise. The study is based on the rigorous reporting process set up by the Committee to periodically review the implications of the Basel III standards for banks. The results of previous exercises in this series were published in March 2014, September 2013, March 2013, September 2012 and April 2012. A total… Continue Reading

New GAO Reports – 8(a) subcontracting, Healthcare.gov, Health Insurance Exchanges, IRAs

8(A) SUBCONTRACTING LIMITATIONS: Continued Noncompliance with Monitoring Requirements Signals Need for Regulatory Change, GAO-14-706: Published: Sep 16, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 16, 2014. HEALTHCARE.GOV: Actions Needed to Address Weaknesses in Information Security and Privacy Controls, GAO-14-730: Published: Sep 16, 2014. Publicly Released: Sep 16, 2014. HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES: Coverage of Non-excepted Abortion Services by Qualified Health Plans, GAO-14-742R: Published: Sep 15, 2014. Publicly Released:… Continue Reading