Bitcoin sorta legal in CA, NSA transparency report, and Internet voting fails in Norway [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
Americans as 'vulnerable' to NSA surveillance as foreigners, despite Fourth Amendment
By manipulating internet traffic to push American data outside of the country, the NSA can vacuum up vast amounts of US citizen data for intelligence purposes, a new report warns.
NATO updates cyber defence policy as digital attacks become a standard part of conflict
NATO has updated its cyber defence policy in the light of a number of international crises that have involved cyber security threats.
Norway internet voting experiment fails
The government has decided that it's not worth the risks, especially since test programs didn't improve turnout. Yet enthusiasm remains in other countries.
California repeals law banning bitcoin
Californian lawmakers have signed a bill removing the prohibition of companies or individuals from issuing money other than US dollars, rendering bitcoin technically legal in the state.
One year after NSA revelations, DNI releases transparency report
The Director of National Intelligence has taken a cue from Silicon Valley giants with more transparency about data collection.
Other government coverage around ZDNet
We're all just lab rats in Facebook's laboratory
Facebook has always controlled what we see in our news feeds. Now we know they've experimented on us to see what messages make us sad or happy.
Microsoft to resume email security notifications
After a weekend of questions and confusion, the company has decided not to stop using emails to notify customers of security issues
Americans as 'vulnerable' to NSA surveillance as foreigners, despite Fourth Amendment
By manipulating internet traffic to push American data outside of the country, the NSA can vacuum up vast amounts of US citizen data for intelligence purposes, a new report warns.
Europe backs Microsoft fight over US warrant for Irish email
European Union vice president Viviane Reding weighs in on Microsoft's side in its battle over a warrant for Irish email.
Fiona Stanley Hospital IT Project to miss deadline: Audit
The Western Australian Auditor General has found that the Department of Health needs to reassess the Identity Access Management project for the Fiona Stanley Hospital if it intends to complete it.
Sydney Opal card travel history can be accessed by police
Customer information and travel history on registered Opal cards can be accessed by New South Wales police, the Transport for NSW has confirmed.
Do the Privacy Commissioner's teeth have any bite?
Australia's Privacy Commissioner has shown he'll call out businesses that fail to protect personal data, and now he has the legislative teeth to punish them. But will it happen?
One year after NSA revelations, DNI releases transparency report
The Director of National Intelligence has taken a cue from Silicon Valley giants with more transparency about data collection.
Ex-NSA chief under scrutiny over speculated secrets leak
Irony aside, a lawmaker has pointedly reminded former NSA chief Keith Alexander that selling classified information is a felony.
NSA fallout prompted change in Singapore startup's cloud strategy
Unified Inbox was just about to launch its cloud-based communications tool when Edward Snowden rocked the industry, forcing the Singapore startup to rethink how it delivers its services via the cloud.