Understanding The Debate on Facial Recognition Technology in Policing: Pros, Cons, and Privacy Concerns
Introduction A facial image is like a fingerprint: a unique piece of human data that can identify an individual or connect them to a crime. Law enforcement uses facial recognition to identify suspects, monitor large crowds, and ensure public safety. Facial recognition software is used by local, state, and federal law enforcement, but its adoption […]
Pros and Cons of Cybersecurity Regulation
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting online networks, systems, and information from cyber attacks. Cybersecurity regulation involves policies that mandate specific cybersecurity strategies in both the private and public sector. With the increasing reliance on digital systems and networks by both individuals and organizations, cyber attacks have become more common and detrimental. As a result […]
Pros and Cons of the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act
At the end of 2015, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) was signed into law by President Obama as part of a larger omnibus spending bill. In the years prior to 2015, the US suffered many major cyberattacks including the 2013 Target Corp data breach that leaked the private information of 110 million people and […]
Understanding the FTC’s Data Breach Response Plan
A data breach is defined as an incident with loss of control, compromise, or unauthorized disclosure/access of Personally Identifiable Information (PII). PII includes Social Security Numbers, financial accounts, license and passport numbers, credit card numbers, and personal address information. Losing control over PII increases the risk for identity theft and fraudulent activity. A data breach […]
Pros and Cons of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015
Background In February 2015, Anthem became the first major healthcare provider to experience a cyber attack when attackers stole 80 million records from Amerigroup and Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan users. In June 2015, hackers stole the personal information of over 20 million people from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which was the […]
Understanding the Government Face Surveillance Ban Debate
Background In modern society face recognition technology (FRT) is a part of many people’s daily lives. One common application of FRT that many are familiar with is using Face ID to unlock a smartphone. FRT captures unique facial measurements for each person, making it an important tool for confirming someone’s identity. In 1996, FRT gained […]
Pros and Cons of Biden’s National Cybersecurity Strategy
Background Cyber attacks during the Biden-Harris administration pushed cybersecurity to the forefront of domestic policy. In 2021, Colonial Pipeline, a large oil pipeline that transports almost half of all fuel used on the East Coast, suffered a ransomware incident from the hacking group Darkside. After stealing 100 gigabytes of data and threatening to release it, […]
Pros and Cons of the Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the collection, distribution, and use of consumer credit information. The FCRA defines the rights and obligations related to consumer reporting data, aiming to create a dependable and precise exchange of information that benefits lenders, landlords, and employers. It achieves this by setting up […]
Understanding the TikTok Personal Device Ban Debate
The TikTok ban debate revolves around the popular video-sharing application’s owner ByteDance. While TikTok gained popularity among U.S. users, the government banned the application on federal devices, as well as government-issued devices in some states, and a nationwide TikTok ban for non-government users is potentially imminent. What is TikTok? TikTok is a social media platform […]
Pros and Cons of the American Innovation and Choice Online Act
Introduction The American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA) is a bill proposed in the United States Congress to promote competition in the digital marketplace by addressing antitrust concerns related to major technology companies. The bill aims to prevent monopolies and trusts by prohibiting dominant platforms from abusing their gatekeeping power, favoring their own products, […]