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Feds give Google OK to test Project Wing drone deliveries
The US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has been very cautious about drone testing in the US so far, but that's about to change. The FAA has granted Google's sister X division (under Alphabet) permission to test Project Wing delivery services below 400 feet at six sanctioned test sites, according to the White House. The flights will be part of a new push by the US National Science Foundation, which is spending over $35 million on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) research and testing over the next five years
White House outlines how the US will respond to cyberattacks
The US government is understandably worried about cyberattacks as of late, and it's now setting some ground rules for how it responds to those digital intrusions. A newly approved Presidential Policy Directive details just how officials will coordinate responses to hacks and other "cyber incidents." including its basic principles, outlining procedures and creating mechanisms that link the actions that link government divisions. Provided everything goes according to plan, officials would not only learn to share responsibility and resources when fending off attacks, but better understand the risks associated with a given crisis.
White House launches a data initiative to reduce prison numbers
Just before the holiday weekend last week, the White House launched the Data-Driven Justice Initiative (DDJ), a new effort that will use wider data access to reduce prison populations. The US has been widely criticized for its tendency to over-incarcerate citizens -- it accounts for 25 percent of the world's prison numbers, even though it houses only 5 percent of the world's population. And all of that comes at a cost: 11 million people are processed through America's local jails every year, the White House says, costing around $22 billion. As part of the DDJ, 67 municipalities across the country are banding together to use data-powered strategies to keep low-level offenders out of jails, primarily by pushing them towards mental health and addiction help.
Tune in to watch President Obama and Mark Zuckerberg live at 1:45 PM ET
This afternoon, President Obama will meet with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and a panel of other young entrepreneurs at the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit on Stanford's campus in Palo Alto. While the discussion is scheduled to focus on business, Zuckerberg has recently been celebrating the power of live video to bring "more openness to the political process." Earlier this week, Facebook Live and its competitor Periscope proved invaluable for bringing a sit-in on the House floor to millions of people.
The White House wants to study the Earth's microbes
The president proved that he has big scientific dreams when he announced a new effort to find a cure for cancer. Now, the White House has launched yet another ambitious project called the National Microbiome Initiative, which aims to take a closer look at the tiny world of microbes. Microbiomes or microorganism communities that live on and inside people, animals, plants and just about everywhere might be invisible to the naked eye, but they a huge effect on the way we live. They can either make us sick or make us healthy, promote or stunt the growth of plants and contribute to climate change, among many other things.
Feds tipped Apple to a security flaw it already fixed
The FBI can't tell Apple about the security vulnerability it exploited to get into the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone. But it did tell the company a different flaw in its iPhone and Mac software, according to Reuters. There's just one little thing that makes the information useless: it's an old vulnerability, and the tech giant already fixed it.
The President says he will veto anti-net neutrality bill
President Obama swears that H.R. 2666 will never become a law under his administration. In a letter published today, the White House says the bill "would undermine key provisions in the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Open Internet order." The president's advisors would recommend that he veto it if it ever reaches his office. H.R. 2666 also known as the "No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act" looks like it complements the FCC's new net neutrality rules at first glance. It wants to make sure that the FCC can't regulate broadband rates -- something that commission chairman Tom Wheeler promised his office won't do -- after all.
President Obama will guest host on Science Channel this week
Just because President Obama is months away from leaving office doesn't mean he's done promoting science education. The American leader is guest hosting Science Channel's Science Presents DNews every day this week (April 11th through 15th) -- yes, the head of the country will be delivering the latest happenings in biology, space and technology while you're settling down for the night. If you want to check it out, you can tune in at 9PM.
Reuters: White House refuses to openly back encryption law
The White House is apparently refusing to publicly back a law that would force tech companies to comply with decryption requests. Reuters has spoken to anonymous sources inside the administration that claim there are deep divisions on the issue of violating individual privacy. The new bill has been pushed by senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein in the wake of the San Bernardino iPhone case. The legislation is designed to give judges the power to compel firms like Apple and WhatsApp to comply with requests to decrypt secure software.
White House launches neighborhood-building open-data project
The White House announced on Monday that it is launching an ambitious online program that aims to help families and communities alike by giving them the tools to access a package of federal and local data-sets. The Opportunity Project, as it's been dubbed, will help families and community organizations to "navigate information about critical resources such as access to jobs, housing, transportation, schools, and other neighborhood amenities" the White House release reads.
Google rolling out free gigabit internet in public housing
Google started its gigabit Fiber program in Kansas City and now some of the area's low-income residents will be first to get the service for free. The company is now hooking up homes in Fiber neighborhoods as part of its pledge to the White House's ConnectHome initiative. The program will help school-age kids study using the internet so they have the same opportunities as kids from more well-off families. "We've wired 100 homes with Fiber, and families can sign up today to access the Internet at up to 1,000 Mbps," said Google Fiber VP Dennis Kish in a blog post.
President pledges $4 billion toward computer science in schools
The White House isn't just relying on legislation to make computer science education a priority in the US. President Obama has launched a Computer Science for All initiative that gives states $4 billion in funding to expand computer science in K-12 schools through a mix of better course materials, partnerships and teacher training. The move also sends another $100 million directly to school districts, unlocks $135 million in funding from government organizations and gets further cooperation from both local governments as well as tech leaders.
White House refuses security clearance for Ashkan Soltani
Last month White House CTO Megan Smith announced that Ashkan Soltani would be joining her staff as a senior advisor, after leaving his post as the FTC's chief technologist. Today, Soltani revealed he will not be able to take the job, after being informed by the Office of Personnel Security that he is not receiving the necessary security clearance. There's no explanation as to why that is, but as The Guardian mentions and many are speculating, it could be a result of Soltani's participation in Pulitzer-winning reporting for the Washington Post covering the Edward Snowden revelations. We've contacted the White House and the Office of Science and Technology Policy but have not received any response.
Google hires a White House aide to handle its policy battles
The trend of White House veterans leaving for tech giants (such as Press Secretary Jay Carney) isn't stopping anytime soon. Google just hired Caroline Atkinson, the White House's just-departed deputy national security adviser, to lead its public policy efforts. That puts her at the forefront of some particularly thorny legal battles. She'll have to defend the companies against antitrust allegations, for example, and she might also have to grapple with Europe's right to be forgotten, censorship pressures and other big issues.
US leaders meet with tech CEOs to fight terrorism online
The US is determined to knock terrorists offline whenever it can, and it's about to go to great lengths to make sure that happens. Business Insider, the Guardian and the Wall Street Journal understand that some of the country's highest-ranking officials are meeting with the CEOs of internet giants like Apple, Facebook, Google, Twitter and Yahoo to ask for stronger efforts to fight online terrorist activity. And we do mean high-ranking -- the directors of the FBI, National Intelligence and the NSA will be involved, as will the Attorney General and the White House's chief of staff.
The After Math: Baby, it's cold outside
It's 50 degrees and raining here in San Francisco which, by West Coast standards, constitutes the second coming of Snowpacalypse. With this sort of weather the only rational choice is to stay inside and patiently wait for spring. But just because we're tied to the couch for the next few months doesn't mean we can't take a tour of the West Wing, knit ourselves some binge socks or play 16 new (old) XBox games. Because counting the days to spring is way easier if you do it by the numbers.
ICYMI: Helmet with OnStar, NASA's 3D-printed engine and more
#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-596786{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-596786, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-596786{width:570px;display:block;}try{document.getElementById("fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-596786").style.display="none";}catch(e){}Today on In Case You Missed It: A helmet cam for motorcyclists has an emergency alert system that kicks in when a crash is detected. NASA 3D-printed parts for an engine that has withstand 6,000 degrees Fahrenheit. And the White House wants people to share in the spirit with a new virtual reality tour of the annual Christmas display.
Take a VR tour of the White House's Christmas splendor
Think your Christmas decorations are impressive this year? Think again. Google has released a 360-degree video of the White House today which shows off some of its most impressive Christmas trees and ornaments. The tour winds through a number of lavish rooms and corridors, including the East Colonnade, the East Garden Room and the White House Library, as well as the Vermeil Room and the China Room. It only lasts for five minutes, but during that time you can look around or simply kick back and listen to the narrator explain every bauble and tinsel-covered branch.
The After Math: 'Murica!
With the presidential elections just under a year away, the American political season is kicking into high gear. But the race to be Commander in Chief isn't the only thing going on in this country. We've got veterans getting new members, Chicken McNugget dispensers and hoverboard bans as well! Here's your United States, by the numbers.
The White House wants your thoughts on encryption
If you've felt that the US government was more than a little tone deaf about the importance of strong encryption, now's your chance to do something about it. In response to a popular petition, the White House is asking for public comments on the encryption debate. You only have to fill out a simple web form to reject mandatory back doors and suggest alternatives that don't violate your privacy.
