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
Congress Must Exercise Oversight of Obama Strategy Against ISIS Social Media Propaganda
Terrorists’ use of social media has turned the Internet into a battlefield unlike any we have seen before. As a tool for terror, propaganda, and recruitment, the Islamic State (ISIS) and other terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda have used the Internet in entirely new dimensions. It turns out we have been woefully ill-prepared for this…Helle Dale -
- Opinion
How to Combat Cyber-Attacks in the 21st Century
The barrage of cyber-attacks against U.S. companies continued in 2015. Some were spectacularly successful, costing the victimized companies—as well as their workers and customers—millions. Americans can expect more of the same in 2016. The bad guys still want to steal commercial secrets, as well as your Social Security numbers, birth dates, home addresses, financial records,…Riley Walters -
- Opinion
Planned Parenthood Turns Tragedy Into Censorship
In the wake of a violent tragedy, Planned Parenthood has redoubled its efforts to silence its critics. The Colorado Springs shooter, who waged the terrible attack, appears to have no connection to society at large, much less to the pro-life movement. But Planned Parenthood is using him as a tool in its new censorship campaign, which…Matt Bowman -
- News
A Google Executive Shares How to Defeat ISIS on the Digital Front
The Islamic State, or ISIS, isn’t as prevalent on the Internet as many believe, an expert on digital media says, and the United States has the technological capacity to destroy the terror group’s online recruiting efforts. Compared to defeating the physical presence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, he says, the digital counterinsurgency is an…Chelsea Scism -
- News
Poll: Censorship More Popular Among Millennials
Forty percent of millennials believe the U.S. government should be able to censor speech that is considered offensive to minority groups, a new poll from Pew Research Center finds. The Pew poll identified a notable disparity in opinion between millennials—those ages 18 to 34—and those surveyed from three other age groups. The poll found that 27 percent of Generation…Joshua Gill -
- News
‘We Witnessed the Horror’: 15 Comments From Band’s Facebook Post After the Paris Attacks
Fans responded with emotion as Eagles of Death Metal, an American hard rock band, posted the first lengthy statement since the terrorist attack during its Nov. 13 concert at the Bataclan theater in Paris. Mark Backwell, a fan who said he traveled from London to hear the band and escaped with nine friends, some injured, expressed gratitude on…Leah Jessen -
- News
Students for Life Says Hulu Is ‘Censoring’ Ads Aimed at Women
A pro-life group complains that Hulu, an online video streaming service, banned its ads from the website because the ads aren’t pro-choice. Hulu is “censoring content” meant to help women, the group says. In a press release, Students for Life of America said it created the ads in the style of public service announcements to show viewers…Kate Scanlon -
- Opinion
The Mainstream Media Are Suffering From Freedom Envy
In 2005, when the internet and blogs were new, members of the elite mainstream media were skeptical, even hostile. Who are these unknown , uncredentialed so-called journalists who think they can compete with the big boys? Don't they know they didn't go to Columbia Journalism School? Who allowed them in the game? I defended the…Peggy Noonan -
- Opinion
Cartoon: What The Mainstream Media Are Ignoring This Week
Genevieve Wood wrote about Planned Parenthood and the media in her column earlier this week: In the case of the unfolding scandal involving the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, much of the mainstream media have fallen for the old line, “Nothing to see here.” And now we find out perhaps one reason why is…Paul Runko -
- Opinion
Terrorists Use Social Media to Win War of Ideas
Used to be that, when a crime occurred, investigators would flood the crime scene. Now, they race to access the perpetrator’s footprint in digital space. Often, that’s where they’ll find the most crucial clues. And that’s why the FBI wants to know everything Chattanooga shooter Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez did online. Digital tracing has proved particularly…James Carafano -
- News
How Cyber Attack on US Personnel Office Erodes Public Confidence
Americans will become even more reluctant to entrust themselves to the government’s electronic records because of the widening scandal of successful cyber attacks on the federal personnel agency, an expert in digital customer satisfaction says. It will take time and vigorous marketing by the Obama administration and its successor to overcome the erosion of public trust in government…Ken McIntyre -
- News
How ISIS Is Waging a ‘War of Ideas’ Through Social Media
One year ago this week, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria seized Iraq’s second largest city, Mosul—its first major land grab in a battle for territorial expansion that continues today. But the reach of the terrorist organization, best known as ISIS, extends beyond a geographic battlefield, bridging traditional war tactics to disseminate brutality online….Natalie Johnson -
- Opinion
Why Facebook’s Requirement for Higher Wages, Paid Leave Is Good, but a Government Mandate Isn’t
Facebook recently announced plans to require its vendors to pay workers at least $15 per hour, offer at least 15 days of paid vacation and provide a $4,000 “baby bonus” to new parents if it doesn’t offer paid parental leave. This is worth celebrating—but not for the reasons the White House did. Facebook Chief Operating…Rachel Greszler -
- Opinion
House Intelligence Cyber Bill: Amendment Improves Cybersecurity
Today, the House will vote on the Protecting Cyber Networks Act (PCNA) and various amendments to it. With the ongoing threat of cyber attacks from persistent adversaries, individuals and foreign government entities alike, this bill is designed to mitigate threats, reduce vulnerabilities, and protect the nation’s information systems. The House Intelligence Committee’s PCNA is innovative…David Inserra -
- News
K-12 School Removes Washington Post Profile of Ryan T. Anderson From Its Facebook Page. Here’s Why.
Yesterday, The Heritage Foundation’s leading scholar on marriage policy was featured on the front page of The Washington Post as the right’s “fresh voice on same-sex marriage.” The premise of the article was this: A day in the life of Ryan T. Anderson, whose work reflects the belief that marriage should only be between a…Kelsey Bolar -
- Opinion
DeMint at Yale: Academic Censorship as a Political Weapon
The following are Jim DeMint’s prepared remarks delivered to the William F. Buckley Jr. Program at Yale University. I’d like to start out by telling you the story of a young guy named Omar Mahmood. He was in the news a couple months back. He’s a junior at the University of Michigan, and writes for…Jim DeMint -
- Opinion
GAO: High-Risk Gaps Remain in U.S. Cybersecurity
The current state of the U.S. government’s cybersecurity is in critical need of improvement according to the “High-Risk” report released yesterday by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO found serious problems with the way that the Administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are addressing cybersecurity as well as the protection of personally…Jennifer Guthrie -
- Opinion
Federal Agency Settles With Woman After Impersonating Her on Facebook, But Won’t Promise Not to Do it Again
The Drug Enforcement Agency created a fake Facebook profile of a woman and used the account to message drug dealers—all without her knowledge or consent. Now, after facing a media firestorm and a lawsuit, the federal government will settle with the woman for $134,000. It all began in 2010 when the DEA arrested Sondra Arquiett…Jordan Richardson -
- Opinion
Information Sharing a Must for Cybersecurity
Last week, the White House maintained that it would veto the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, a bill proposing cybersecurity information sharing between the private sector and the U.S. government, if it reached the President. While the bill was introduced by Ranking Member of the House Intelligence Committee Dutch Ruppersberger (D–MD) and has bipartisan…Jennifer Guthrie -
- Opinion
Washington Needs to Stop Being Clueless About the Internet, Cybersecurity
On Monday, U.S. Central Command lost control of its Twitter and YouTube accounts. It serves as yet another reminder of irresponsible social networking practices by federal agencies. The Internet is used for everything from downloading Taylor Swift to waging war, yet Washington seems hopelessly inept at finding its way in the cyber world. The Central…James Carafano