The FTC issued a 2011 consent order against Facebook to protect the privacy of user data. But the Commission never enforced the order, even as Facebook disregarded its provisions. If the order had been enforced, there would be no Cambridge Analytica story. More
Global Tech Government Opinion Security & Privacy
How the FTC Could Have Prevented the Facebook Mess
Artificial Intelligence Government Partner Insights
Lessons for Business as the Pentagon Embraces AI
As AI's influence in the U.S. military grows, business leaders must consider the nature of their partnerships with defense agencies. Advanced AI may even force change — both operational and cultural — throughout the United States' large defense organization. More
Global Tech Government International Affairs
Gates Foundation Supports Tech in Kenya Despite Political Turmoil
Melinda Gates, the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, launched Pathways for Prosperity, a commission on technology and inclusive development in Nairobi, Kenya. The technological innovations that the commission is investigating is at a nascent stage in Kenya, however, and political turmoil threatens real progress. More
Tech Takes Davos While Facebook Takes Hits
The World Economic Forum this year was practically the World Technology Forum. Unlike in years past, leaders there, especially heads of state, acknowledged the depth of transformation underway in a digitized economy. Meanwhile attendees and press much criticized the net giants, notably Facebook, for threats they may pose to mental health and democracy. More
BlackRock Makes an Extraordinary Challenge to Business
In a remarkable letter to the business community, BlackRock CEO Laurence Fink says business must step into the void left by government in taking on society's biggest global challenges. More
Cryptocurrency Finance Government
Investing in Bitcoin is Antisocial
Bitcoin is all the rage until it's not. A libertarian dream, it implies a distrust of established governments. This has finally sunk in on the governments themselves, and may be a cause of its continued decline. The associated blockchain technology, however, may be the real keeper. More
We Lost on Net Neutrality. We Have a Bigger Problem.
Concerned about the FCC's net neutrality ruling? Many of the very things neutrality advocates most feared are already happening on Google and Facebook. Where's the activism? More
Business Government Techonomy Events Video
Former Sec. of Commerce Penny Pritzker: Tech & Government Must Work Together
Penny Pritzker was U.S. Secretary of Commerce in the Obama administration from 2013 to 2017. She appeared onstage with Beth Comstock at Techonomy 2017 and also chatted with us on tech leadership and much more. More
From the Magazine Global Tech Government
Amazon, Facebook, and Google: Too big to tolerate. Too big to stop.
As society begins to realize it has allowed globe-spanning commercial net giants too much power, it also becomes clear that figuring a policy response will be hard. Techonomy's co-founder, author of The Facebook Effect, weighs in on the disturbing and growing controversy over what comes next. More
Analytics & Data Articles We Like Government Security & Privacy
“Omigod!”…and other Exclamations Upon Reading WSJ’s Piece on Facial Recognition in China
Do you want your photo flashed on a sign at an intersection? If not, don't jaywalk in China. Leave aside what happens if you're a dissident traveling in a new region. Here's a headline the WSJ used for this must-read article: "The All-Seeing Surveillance State Feared in the West is a Reality in China." More
Global Tech Government Security & Privacy
Manchester, Trump in Saudi Arabia, and Fighting Terrorism in an Online Age
The horrors of terrorism are again vividly seared on our consciousness, after the vicious bombing at a concert in Manchester. Meanwhile, President Trump has rightly put combatting terrorism at the top of his policy agenda. His recent trip overseas demonstrated some of what that means. More
Why I’m Marching for Science on Saturday
This weekend, people in over 500 cities around the world will join the first March for Science. I’ve been in life science for nearly 20 years and have never seen anything like this. Of course I’ve also never had such an urgent sense that it is necessary. From the medications you take to the synthetic fibers in your wrinkle-free clothes, science is already supporting you. Let’s return the favor. More
FDA Greenlights 23andMe and Opens New Era for Consumer DNA Info
It was a much-needed breakthrough when the FDA last week OK'd personal genomics company 23andMe selling genetic tests directly to consumers. In 2013 the agency had banned the startup from releasing disease-related information. Now we should finally see a consumer-driven marketplace for genomic data. More
Act Now or Forfeit Privacy for Genetic Data
A new bill making its way through the House of Representatives would allow employers to require genetic testing for employees. It would be a massive setback, stripping Americans of genetic nondiscrimination protections that took years to put in place. If you value your right to privacy, contact your Congressperson. More
Community Insights Government Jobs
H1B Visas: Why They’re Broken and What we Can Do
The Trump administration may further restrict H1B work visas for technology workers. There are inherent problems with the current H1B system, but even more with the Trump proposal. We need to increase the minimum salary for H1B recipients, require employers that utilize them to take concrete actions to benefit American workers, and initiate a crash program to improve the tech skills of Americans. More
e-Estonia: Reflections on Life in a Digital Society
My country – Estonia – has a very digital lifestyle that is convenient, fast and efficient. Estonia conducts its elections online, and was the first country to have paperless government. Almost 100% of banking transactions are done electronically, and 96% file their income taxes that way. It's not the end of the road but just another milestone on the path of technical revolution. More
Reflections from Ross: How Rough Will it Get?
On the Saturday after the inauguration I saw a ray of light. Was the Women’s March the start of a new movement or the evolution of existing, long-standing movements? I have no idea, but our social fabric is being ripped apart. So now what? We need to get better at listening to those removed from our bubbles. We need to figure out how to ensure the benefits of tech and globalization are more evenly distributed. We need to participate. More
The Short-Term Triumph of Short-Termism
Technology is rapidly changing every sector of the economy, as well as the nature of warfare. President-elect Donald Trump doesn't seem to get it. But if you lack a sense of the role of tech, you will only be operating for the short-term. More
Government Security & Privacy Society
Of Tech and Trump
The tech industry continues to loom large in the responses to this year’s election and plays multiple interesting roles in its aftermath: Russia has been accused of "hacking" the election, Facebook has been forced to address its fake news issue, tech leaders met this week with president-elect Trump, and more. More