Weekly Roundup 4/12/2018

A string of recent cyber-attacks--most notably a ransomware attack in Atlanta on March 22nd--have highlighted the importance of acknowledging cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities at the local government level. Though emergency response systems and services at Atlanta’s airport were unaffected by the attack, other city services remain offline as the city recovers.

Atlanta is not alone; a recent study shows that 44% of local governments report that they face cyber-attacks on an hourly or daily basis. As local governments look to address these threats, they may consider a wide variety of measures from prioritizing digital defenses to upgrading digital infrastructure. New York City, for example, intends to equip residents to better protect themselves online through a suite of cybersecurity tools.

In other news:

Artificial Intelligence

• Experts urge governments to require assessments of AI implementation

Civic Tech

• Upgrading infrastructure to build smart cities

Disinformation

• Egypt introduces hotline to report fake news
• Facebook allows preemptive fact-checking
• Google announces plan to combat misinformation

Tech News

• Facebook overhauls privacy settings
• Facebook distances itself from data brokers