New York

Two years after Lockport City School District's use of facial recognition-capable cameras triggered controversy, a recent hearing gave critics and proponents a chance to speak up while the state prepares a report.

Chief Privacy Officer Michele Jones outlined how New York state is formalizing its strategy to protect residents’ data at the NASCIO Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced $8.5 million will be put towards supporting companies commercializing technologies that focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the state.

More than a quarter of some of New York's lowest-income households report no Internet subscriptions. And for others, the ability to connect to the Internet exists only in the palm of their hand — 8 percent in the state rely solely on a smartphone.

The city of Buffalo has accepted access to the CrowdStrike cybersecurity platform as part of a no-cost partnership with the state’s Joint Security Operations Center, which launched earlier this year.

More than 132,000 households in the state lack access to broadband. Some 29 towns, six school districts and four of the 10 tribal territories in the state have less than half of their residences with access to broadband.

Plus, the Colorado Broadband Deployment Board distributes a historic amount of funding; the New York Digital Inclusion Fund announces five innovation grants; a new program offers broadband support training for communities; and more.

Lawmakers have introduced legislation that, if passed, would require all vehicles built after Jan. 1, 2024, that are registered in New York to include advanced safety technology, including speed-limiting capabilities.

The legislation complements the federal CHIPS and Science Act that was recently signed by President Joe Biden. The could provide up to $10 billion in tax credits for semiconductor manufacturing projects over a 20-year period.

The state recently announced the new Tackle Box mobile phone feature to enhance fishing-related tourism by making it easier for new and experienced anglers to enjoy the great fishing offered throughout New York.

The program, announced last week by Gov. Kathy Hochul, would provide county governments and select cities with endpoint detection and response tools to continuously monitor systems and protect against cyber attacks.

A recent audit of Empire State Development's (ESD) New NY Broadband Program by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found that the program had fallen short of its mission due to “poor planning and execution.”

A new nine-month program involving online education tools from Emeritus will train senior technology leaders to navigate changing workforce trends, such as the rise of telework and increased threat of cyber crimes.

The New York Department of Motor Vehicles is warning customers that a phishing scam is using text messages that promise $1,500 in state fuel rebates to steal personal information.

Plus, New York audits its ongoing broadband program work; a program in Colorado aims to distribute broadband grants throughout the state; the FCC announces $159 million in new Emergency Connectivity Funding; and more.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2023 state budget will cover two-thirds of the cost of a new building intended to grow the local STEM workforce through research in A.I., quantum science, advanced materials and other fields.

With a $397,000 state grant, the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering at SUNY Polytechnic Institute will train custodians, technicians, engineers and managers needed to operate high-tech buildings.

Colin Ahern, former deputy director of New York City Cyber Command, has accepted the newly created position. He brings years of cybersecurity experience across the government and private sector to the role.