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Category Archives: Government Documents

Librarians fear new penalties, even prison, as activists challenge books

AP: “…Across the country, book challenges and bans have soared to the highest levels in decades. Public and school-based libraries have been inundated with complaints from community members and conservative organizations such as as Moms for Liberty. Increasingly, lawmakers are considering new punishments — crippling lawsuits, hefty fines, and even imprisonment — for distributing books… Continue Reading

FCC rule now requires internet service providers to display fees

“Broadband Labels are designed to provide clear, easy-to-understand, and accurate information about the cost and performance of high-speed internet services. The labels are modeled after the FDA nutrition labels and are intended to help consumers comparison shop for the internet service plan that will best meet their needs and budget. Internet service providers that offer… Continue Reading

NIST Blames ‘Growing Backlog of Vulnerabilities’ Requiring Analysis on Lack of Support

Slashdot: “It’s the world’s most widely used vulnerability database, reports SC Magazine, offering standards-based data on CVSS severity scores, impacted software and platforms, contributing weaknesses, and links to patches and additional resources. But “there is a growing backlog of vulnerabilities” submitted to America’s National Vulnerability Database and “requiring analysis”, according to a new announcement from… Continue Reading

A US bill takes aim at protecting Americans’ data privacy

The Verge: “Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and House Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Oregon) announced a new, national data privacy bill called The American Privacy Rights Act (PDF) today. According to their release, the bill would, among other things, “require affirmative express consent sensitive data can be transferred to a third party.” The two were behind… Continue Reading

2024 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Resource Guide

“The 2024 theme asks all of us—friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues, community leaders, victim service providers, criminal justice practitioners, and health professionals—how we can help crime victims. Are you prepared if someone confides in you about a victimization? Is your organization victim-centered and trauma-informed? Are you familiar with the services available in your community? The… Continue Reading

US state-by-state AI legislation snapshot

“BCLP actively tracks the proposed, failed and enacted AI regulatory bills from across the United States to help our clients stay informed in this rapidly-changing regulatory landscape. The interactive map is current as of February 12, 2024, and will be updated quarterly to include legislation that if passed would directly impact a businesses’ development or… Continue Reading

Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, April 6, 2024

Via LLRX – Pete Recommends – Weekly highlights on cyber security issues, April 6, 202 – Privacy and cybersecurity issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, finance, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on… Continue Reading

FTC Report Says Grocers Exploited Consumers During COVID-Era Supply Chain Disruptions

New York Times via MSN: “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery prices skyrocketed as shelves were left bare of novelties and necessities. The culprit? Supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic severely strained the U.S. food supply chain, exposing vulnerabilities from farm to table. With limited capacity to meet surging demand due to sick workers and supply… Continue Reading

Louisiana Bill Would Criminalize Librarians, Libraries Who Join American Library Association

Bookriot: “Despite the fact that librarians are among the most trusted professionals, per data acquired in several studies of parents on the perceptions of the profession, lawmakers across the country continue to infantilize and criminalize library workers. The 2024 legislative session has been particularly eager to capitalize on the rhetoric from the far right on… Continue Reading

Illegal Gun Cases Tracked by ATF Were Involved in Black Market Sales

The New York Times [unpaywalled]: “Four in 10 illegal gun cases tracked by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were involved in black market sales, including from shadow dealers who used a legal loophole to evade background checks, according to an analysis of firearms trafficking released on Thursday. About another 40 percent of… Continue Reading

Cyber review slams Microsoft

Cyber Safety Review Board Releases Report on Microsoft Online Exchange Incident from Summer 2023: “Today, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released the Cyber Safety Review Board’s (CSRB) findings and recommendations following its independent review of the Summer 2023 Microsoft Exchange Online intrusion. The review detailed operational and strategic decisions that led to the… Continue Reading