3 Ways to Choose Valuable Open Data

by  Jason Shueh

Mark Headd, Philadelphia's former chief data officer, and others offer practical steps any government can use to start or improve open data programs.

Officials from local, state and federal governments are still probing what it means to "open data." Benefits of machine readable government data are ample, and include data-based business creation, cost reduction by efficiency, insights in health, civic apps and government accountability.

Despite well-publicized advantages, however, open data has many unknowns. For example, there are no unified publication standards yet, data formats vary by jurisdiction, and data comes with no guarantees that projects will do more than just provide transparency ….

On Sept. 24 Mark Headd, Philadelphia's former chief data officer and now "developer evangelist" for Accela, offered advice at the 2014 Code for America Summit …

The team's message focused on practical steps any government can use to start or improve open data programs — with primary emphasis given to problem-solving and open data value creation.

 Read full story at GovTech…

Artificial Intelligence May Augment Diplomatic Data Security

by  Gharun Lacy

The State Department eyes emerging technology for efficient and effective cyberdefense.

The State Department's law enforcement arm, the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, defends the department and the foreign affairs community by applying cybersecurity, technology security and law enforcement expertise to help advance U.S. foreign policy and safeguard national security interests. Specifically, the bureau's Directorate of Cyber and Technology Security is responsible for ensuring tactical cyberdefense for all U.S. diplomats and data held by the department, spanning more than 260 locations in 170 countries around the world. From a cybersecurity standpoint, the State Department is the No. 1 target for nation-state cyber hackers — including the Big F

 Read full story at FedTech…

FCC to Vote on Georouting for Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Calls

by  Edward Graham

The FCC plans to vote on rules during its Oct. 17 open meeting that would require all U.S. wireless carriers to implement georouting for calls to the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.

Several major U.S. wireless carriers have begun using technology to connect those calling into the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline with local crisis contact centers — an effort the Federal Communications Commission hopes to codify for all providers during its annual meeting next month.

The FCC launched the streamlined three-digit crisis line in July 2022, which allows help-seekers to call, text or chat. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which funds the 988 lifeline, said that counselors have answered more than 10 million messages from individuals through the program's first two years.

To better connect those in crisis with local resources and support, the FCC and the Department of Health and Human Services announced on Wednesday that they have begun to route 988 phone calls to contact centers based on callers' locations instead of their area codes — a process known as "georouting."

 Read full story at NextGov…

Apple to Compete for Your Smart Home With New Devices and 'homeOS'

by  Danny D'Cruze

Apple's new plan has three main parts—artificial intelligence, smart displays, and software.

Apple is making a big move into the smart home market, aiming to put its devices in every corner of your house. Even though it didn't start strong in this area, Apple is now focusing on a new plan that uses AI, new types of displays, and a fresh operating system to compete with Google and Amazon, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

Apple's new plan has three main parts—artificial intelligence, smart displays, and software. First, it is introducing "Apple Intelligence," an AI platform to make home automation better and give users more control over their apps, media, and devices. This AI will help users create smooth automations, making their smart homes more personalized.

 Read full story at Business Today…

Best Password Managers 2024

by  Michael Ansaldo & Alaina Yee

If you're still using your dog's name to log in to your bank, you're courting disaster.

… The best password managers relieve you of the burden of two of these problem: having to create and then memorize unique, complex logins on your own. Sharing your passwords is on you. Plus, these applications protect your passwords by encrypting your login info in a virtual vault—either locally or in the cloud—only allowing access with a single master password.

…All of our top picks for password managers support a variety of operating systems such as Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS, as well as the major browsers. And all will let you sync your data across multiple devices, though you may have to pay extra for that privilege. Once you've found the right password manager for your needs, head over to our guide on mastering your password manager to make sure you're getting the most from your software.

 Read full story at PCWorld…

Google Threatened With Being Broken Up by US

by  João da Silva & Imran Rahman-Jones

The US government is considering seeking the break-up of the world's biggest search engine, Google, which it accuses of causing "pernicious harms" to Americans.

The landmark decision … is a major blow to Alphabet, Google's parent company, and could reshape how technology giants do business.

Google was sued by the US Department of Justice in 2020 over its control of about 90% of the online search market.

It is one of several lawsuits that have been filed against the big tech companies as US antitrust authorities attempt to strengthen competition in the industry. This case has at times been described as posing an existential threat to Google and its owner given its dominance of the search and online advertising business.

 Read full story at BBC.com…