The dark side of Internet of Things, FBI and China, and other government disappointments [Government IT Week]
ZDNet's worldwide team provides global 24/7 technology news and analysis. In addition to my own coverage analysis here in the ZDNet Government column and on ZDNet's DIY-IT, every week I'll bring you a selection of the best government-related articles posted by our intrepid reporters and analysts. Here are some of the most interesting from the last week.
Top stories this week
Europol warns of IoT murder and ransomware for smart cars
The European criminal intelligence agency has urged governments to prepare for new types of security threats that will come with connected objects. For the record, this isn't a new concept. I wrote about this four years ago.
FBI chief compares Chinese hackers to 'drunk burglars'
The FBI's director believes that Chinese hackers are not all that subtle, but are still prolific enough to break into networks and walk out with the goods — costing US businesses billions every year.
Feds only have themselves to blame for Apple and Google's smartphone encryption efforts
The U.S. government is crying foul over Apple and Google's efforts to bolster smartphone encryption. Because accusations that they're going "beyond the law" goes both ways.
White House challenges data centers to improve energy efficiency
Unfortunately, almost no one cared.
How two remote Arctic territories became the front line in the battle for internet privacy
A proposal to turn unused top level domains into a safe harbour for privacy-focused services has stirred up controversy in its native Norway.
Other government coverage around ZDNet
NBN change calls Telstra's separation into question
The move to a multi-technology mix for the National Broadband Network means that Telstra's structural separation should be reviewed, according to Optus' head of regulatory and corporate affairs David Epstein.
Victoria dominates mobile blackspots list
The federal government has released details of the 6,000 mobile blackspots across Australia as identified by the public.
Microsoft Azure gets security tick from Australian government
Microsoft has announced that Microsoft Azure has been recognised to be compliant with the Australian government's information security manual and protective security policy framework.
AT&T hit by insider data breach, unspecified number of accounts accessed
In a letter to Vermont's attorney general, AT&T did not specify exactly how many customers might have been affected by the insider data breach.
NZ Prime Minister shakes up security agency governance
John Key breaks with a long-standing tradition that the Prime Minister is directly in charge of the Security Intelligence Service and Government Communications Security Bureau.
Fraud possible in Brazil's e-voting system
Vulnerabilities found in the pioneering electronic voting system could lead to tampering in the country's upcoming general elections.
Singapore losing sight of privacy in next-gen tech ambitions
Singapore government confirms plans to develop a "next-generation" satellite-based road system to enable distance-based pricing for motorists, but mentions nothing about what it would do to address privacy concerns.
Zero Day Weekly: JP Morgan Chase, iOS malware Xsser, FBI informant's spree
A collection of notable security news items for the week ending October 3, 2014. Covers enterprise, controversies, reports and more.
Tech companies in tax avoidance inquiry crosshairs
Some of the largest technology companies operating in Australia are set to be put under the microscope as Parliament launches an inquiry into corporate tax avoidance.
CommBank CIO flags security issues with NBN migration
Commonwealth Bank's CIO David Whiteing has warned that there are a number of security risks associated with migrating ATM and Eftpos banking services from Telstra's network to the NBN fibre.
Waze unveils government data exchange program
A new scheme dubbed 'Connected Citizens' will give real-time anonymized crowdsourced traffic data to government departments.
CCC slams Turnbull's NBN reviews
Australia's peak body for non-dominant telcos has slammed Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull's inquiry into the national broadband landscape, dismissing its findings as 'rehashed, discredited theoretical arguments'.
Internet speed in Brazil lags behind rest of the world
The country's average connection speed goes up, but other South American neighbors fared better.