IT & Technology News
Reporting on information technology, cybersecurity, and tech policy. The Daily Signal includes analysis, commentary, and opinion on technology’s impact.
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- Opinion
Why Did Google Freak Out and Fire an Employee for Spurring ‘Honest Discussion’?
The tolerance police at Google just struck another blow against increasing diversity in Silicon Valley by firing an employee who wrote a memo critiquing the company’s politically correct culture. Now, let’s be clear: While the Google software engineer who authored the memo had the right to say and write what he did—it’s called free speech—Google…Genevieve Wood -
- News
Female Leaders Say Google ‘Intolerant’ in Firing Engineer for Memo on Gender Differences
Women in leadership roles are among those expressing disappointment that tech giant Google fired a senior software engineer for writing and distributing a memo ruminating on evidence that men and women are different. Heather Mac Donald, a fellow at the Manhattan Institute and contributing editor to City Journal, told The Daily Signal in an email…Rachel del Guidice -
- News
Why Google Wants to Help Law Enforcement Access Personal Data on the Internet
The challenges of the digital age warrant an updated international legal framework for governments to access important data, Google’s top lawyer argues. Democratic governments and communications companies should work together to simplify data access processes while protecting privacy rights on the internet, Kent Walker said in a speech at The Heritage Foundation. Walker, senior vice…Elle Rogers -
- Opinion
Ukraine Was Hit by a Massive Cyberattack. Why the US Must Keep Up Support for This Key Ally.
Large-scale cyberattacks against Ukraine on Tuesday reportedly hit government ministries, including the Cabinet of Ministers, several banks, a state power distributor, the Ukrainian postal service, a state-run aircraft manufacturer, and Boryspil airport in Kyiv, among other targets. The cyberattacks have also affected companies outside of Ukraine, including an advertising firm in the United Kingdom; Maersk,…Daniel Kochis -
- Opinion
The European Commission Just Fined Google $2.7 Billion. Such Foreign Antitrust Attacks Threaten US Innovation and Prosperity.
On June 27, the European Commission—Europe’s antitrust enforcer—fined Google over $2.7 billion for a supposed violation of European antitrust law that bestowed benefits, not harm, on consumers. And that’s just for starters. The commission is vigorously pursuing other antitrust investigations of Google that could lead to the imposition of billions of dollars in additional fines…Alden Abbott -
- Opinion
How New Social Media Background Checks Could Enhance Homeland Security
Terrorist travel just got a little bit harder, as selected visa applicants are now being asked to turn over their social media information to State Department officials. While this new process is only expected to impact 0.5 percent, or 65,000 of the 13 million annual visa applications to the U.S., it still presents questions of…David Inserra -
- News
As Russia Uses Cyberattacks, Ukraine Bans Some Social Media Sites
KYIV, Ukraine—Citing Russian cyberattacks as a national security threat, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree on Tuesday banning several popular Russian social media sites, as well as other Russian websites and news outlets, for three years. The move was part of a comprehensive cyber sanctions package against Moscow, which included a ban on VKontakte,…Paul Runko -
- Opinion
As World Reels From Cyberattack, Trump Executive Order Could Help Counter Threats
A new executive order from the White House could help the U.S. defend against future cyberattacks, much like the one currently affecting 150 countries. President Donald Trump signed the order Thursday after a series of delays, but it was ultimately overshadowed by the worldwide ransomware attack that hit thousands of computers across the globe. The…David Inserra -
- Opinion
A Massive Cyberattack Has Hit Over 150 Countries. Here’s How to Protect Your Computer.
A cyberattack is currently hitting countries from Great Britain to Russia, affecting hospitals, businesses, and home computers. The attack, also known as WannaCry, has reportedly affected over 200,000 businesses across 150 countries since initially being reported on Friday. In Great Britain alone, 16 National Health Service hospitals were hit. The number of those affected is likely…Riley Walters -
- News
Google Asked to Label Anti-Fracking Websites as ‘Fake News’
An oil and gas drilling advocacy group published an open letter to Google asking the search engine giant to consider “purging or demoting” websites spreading misinformation about hydraulic fracturing. Google rewrote its search engine algorithm to bury “fake news” websites in the wake of the 2016 presidential election. Now the industry-funded Texans for Natural Gas…Michael Bastasch -
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Trump: ‘No One Should Be Censoring Sermons or Targeting Pastors’
President Donald Trump asked two nuns with the Little Sisters of the Poor to join him in front of a Rose Garden audience Thursday before he signed an executive order easing enforcement of Obamacare regulations forcing religious organizations to pay for employee health plans covering contraception and abortion-inducing drugs. “Freedom is not a gift from government….Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
By Choosing Trump Hater as Dinner Speaker, Mainstream Media Embraces ‘Opposition Party’ Status
Apparently the mainstream media doesn’t have a problem being seen as the “opposition party” to President Donald Trump, to use the phrase of Trump adviser Stephen Bannon. On Tuesday, the White House Correspondents’ Association announced that the comedian to be featured at the group’s fundraising dinner—the biggest annual event for D.C. political journalists—is Hasan Minhaj….Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
The Myth of an Unbiased Mainstream Media
The attention on The Daily Signal’s Fred Lucas’ role as occasional White House pool reporter has made one thing very clear: For many, the illusion still remains that the mainstream media is unbiased. “It’s concerning that news organizations with a clear and stated bias are serving as the eyes and ears of the White House…Katrina Trinko -
- Opinion
How to Win Friends and Influence People (on Social Media)
The Trump administration is less than one month old and unity seems like a pipe dream, especially if you log on to social media. Everyone has an opinion and they’re not afraid to share it, which is both the beauty and tragedy of the internet—it allows great access to information, but also erects a barrier…Beverly Hallberg -
- Opinion
How the Private Sector Can Remake US Cybersecurity
President Donald Trump recently reiterated a pledge to build a team that will provide him, in his administration’s first 90 days, with a plan to “aggressively combat and stop” cyberattacks. Topping the list of the new administration’s priorities should be the need to articulate a comprehensive strategy of cyber deterrence. In outlining policies to shape…Frank Cilluffo -
- News
Newt Gingrich Explains Why the Media Can’t Comprehend Trump
President-elect Donald Trump’s successful candidacy is the result of an unequivocal disconnect between elite media and average Americans, says former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Speaking Tuesday at The Heritage Foundation at the first of a six-part series on Trumpism, Gingrich explained how the media’s disdain for the American people ultimately led to Trump’s victory in…Morgan Walker -
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Georgia Student Sues After His Public School Censored Him From Sharing His Faith on Campus
A student in Georgia has sued his school after he claims the public college prohibited him from sharing his Christian faith on campus. Lawyers for Georgia Gwinnett College student Chike Uzuegbunam filed a lawsuit against the school on Monday. Uzuegbunam “believes it is his duty to inform others” of his evangelical Christian beliefs and “for…Leah Jessen -
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What a Special Committee Investigating Russia’s Cyberattacks Could Do
A bipartisan group of senators is pressing for the creation of a special panel—known as a select committee—to investigate and provide the definitive account of Russian cyberattacks on the U.S. political system. Sens. John McCain. R-Ariz., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., along with incoming Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I.,…Josh Siegel -
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How Russia’s Cyberattacks Have Affected Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine—Ukraine’s May 25, 2014, presidential election was a pivotal moment for the country. A revolution that February, in which more than 100 died, had overthrown pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Two weeks prior to the election, on May 11, pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Luhansk declared their independence from Kyiv….Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Cyberattacks Are a Major Security Threat. Here’s How to Deter Them.
Nearly two years ago, North Korea launched a cyberattack against Sony that nearly crippled the movie giant. The U.S. responded by imposing yet another round of feckless sanctions against the Hermit dynasty. But ironically, if members of the North Korean army had landed in Los Angeles and blown up Sony’s studios with dynamite, they would…Albert Wolf