Assange blabbers, IBM/Lenovo is approved, and some Apple data goes to China [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
IBM, Lenovo server deal gets final clearance from US regulators
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States approved the $2.3 billion sale of IBM's x86 server business to Chinese PC maker Lenovo.
Apple to store some user data in China: Weighing the pros and cons
Apple's move to store some of its Chinese users' data in the country has benefits — and drawbacks — for its customers.
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WikiLeaks' Julian Assange leaving Ecuador Embassy 'soon'
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, holed up in London for the past two years, has confirmed he will leave the sanctuary of the Ecuadorian Embassy "soon."
Other government coverage around ZDNet
Telstra hands over browsing history in current warrantless metadata regime
A paper from the Parliamentary Library has suggested URLs might be required to be retained under any data retention regime because Telstra has handed over URL history to law enforcement agencies in the past.
New powers could give ASIO a warrant for the entire internet
The broad definition of a 'network' in new national security legislation could give Australia's top spy agency access to just about every computer on the internet, according to legal experts.
After a 10-year Linux migration, Munich considers switching back to Windows and Office
For the past decade, Munich has been the poster child for open-source advocates, who pointed to its successful migration from a Microsoft platform to one built on Linux and OpenOffice. Now, a newly elected government has called in experts to see whether it's time to switch back.
Chinese hackers steal data from 4.5 million hospital patients
Community Health Systems, a US chain of more than 200 hospitals, said patient information such as names, addresses and social security numbers were stolen in the attack.
Here's how to fix the UK's tech brain drain
Poor leadership, equally poor transport links and a shortage of finance are exacerbating the north/south divide in technology skills.
Users should know what websites are blocked: Comms Department
Australians should be informed that the website they're trying to reach has been blocked by the government, according to talking points from the Department of Communications.
Bishop latest hacking casualty in global game of phones
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is the latest in a string of high profile politicians to be targeted by suspected state-sponsored phone hackers, having her smartphone seized by local intelligence officials after a two-week international sojourn.
DFAT tenders first part of communications network program
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has listed its first request for tender under the five-year international communications network (ICN) program.
Political clash of luddite QCs and tech are a dangerous combination
Australia faces a dangerous conflation of technology-driven surveillance and an almost total lack of technical comprehension from the political class.
Latest review
Western Australia government phone and laptop losses rise
The theft and loss of taxpayer-funded mobile phones and laptops in Western Australia has increased to more than AU$480,000 in the past year, despite a promised crack down on missing equipment, the opposition says.
How blogger Whale Oil accessed Labour Party computers
A right-wing blogger has documented in video how he gained access to what should have been confidential party and donor information.
Cash-strapped universities' switch to Google Apps stokes post-Snowden privacy fears
With university funding plummeting, Italy's higher education institutions are adopting Gmail – but not everyone's happy about the move.
ACMA looks to shared services as budget cuts loom
The Australian Communications and Media Authority is exploring using shared services with other government agencies as it seeks to cut back on costs.
Oz science and technology needs its own Team Australia
"The world will leave us behind," warns Australia's Chief Scientist. We need a game plan, and fast.
Spy agency computer taps face oversight deficiency
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security has said it will need additional resources to oversee new powers planned for Australian intelligence agencies to access computers and networks during investigations.