2019 December

Facebook details location tracking after pressure from senators

Facebook this week told senators that it continues to track the location of its users even after they’ve said they don’t want the social media giant to know where they are — and it makes money off of that information.  Facebook’s letter to Sens. Christopher CoonsChristopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsToxic McConnell-Schumer relationship strains impeachment talks Facebook details location tracking […]

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Supreme Court takes up bid by Catholic schools for exemption from worker bias suits

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to hear a pair of cases brought by Catholic schools who say a religious exemption based on the First Amendment shields them from employment discrimination suits brought by two former teachers. The cases, both originating in Los Angeles County, pit the U.S. Constitution’s safeguards for free expression of religion against legal protections […]

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Government study finds racial, gender bias in facial recognition software

Many facial recognition technology systems misidentify people of color at a higher rate than white people, according to a federal study released Thursday. The research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a federal agency within the Department of Commerce, comes amid pushback from lawmakers and civil rights groups to the software which […]

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2020 Democrats divided over Trump-Pelosi trade deal

Democratic candidates running for president were split on supporting the updated North American Free Trade Agreement negotiated between President TrumpDonald John TrumpFive takeaways from the Democratic debate Buttigieg, Warren square off on donors at Democratic debate Sanders, Biden spar over Medicare for All MORE and House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy Pelosi2020 Democrats divided over Trump-Pelosi trade […]

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Ginsburg on Trump's call for court to end impeachment: 'The president is not a lawyer'

Justice Ruth Bader GinsburgRuth Bader GinsburgGinsburg on Trump’s call for court to end impeachment: ‘The president is not a lawyer’ Will the Supreme Court protect the rule of law, or Donald Trump? Documentary on John Lewis set for release next year MORE on Monday responded to President TrumpDonald John TrumpWhite House counsel didn’t take lead […]

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Overnight Defense: Senate sends $1.4T spending bill to Trump | Lawmakers fail to reach deal on impeachment trial before holidays | Pompeo hits Iran with new sanctions

Happy Thursday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Ellen Mitchell, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.   THE TOPLINE: The Senate on Thursday passed a $1.4 trillion spending package to fund the government through the rest of the fiscal year, averting a second government shutdown in 2019. Senators broke […]

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Senate chairman announces opposition to cannabis banking bill

The chairman of a key Senate committee said Wednesday that he is uncomfortable advancing a bill to protect financial sector access for cannabis companies without stricter health and illicit financing safeguards. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Mike CrapoMichael (Mike) Dean CrapoOn The Money: Senate chairman opposes cannabis banking bill | Panel advances Trump pick for Small […]

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Fish and Wildlife Service to review allegations surrounding Trump Jr.'s Mongolian hunting trip

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will look into an accusation of possible wrongdoing by Donald Trump Jr.Donald (Don) John TrumpFish and Wildlife Service to review allegations surrounding Trump Jr.’s Mongolian hunting trip Melania Trump’s ‘Be Best’ hashtag trends after president goes after Greta Thunberg Trump Jr. blasts Time for choosing ‘marketing gimmick’ Greta Thunberg as […]

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Hillicon Valley: House panel unveils draft of privacy bill | Senate committee approves bill to sanction Russia | Dems ask HUD to review use of facial recognition | Uber settles sexual harassment charges for $4.4M

Welcome to Hillicon Valley, The Hill’s newsletter detailing all you need to know about the tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. If you don’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter with this LINK. Welcome! Follow the cyber team, Maggie Miller (@magmill95), and the tech team, Emily Birnbaum (@birnbaum_e) […]

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Putin calls Trump impeachment 'far-fetched'

Russian President Vladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich PutinSaagar Enjeti to debate moderators: Don’t waste time on impeachment At least one killed after gunman opens fire at Russia’s security service headquarters Impeachment just confirms Trump’s leadership MORE on Thursday labeled the House’s impeachment of President TrumpDonald John TrumpFive takeaways from the Democratic debate Buttigieg, Warren square off on donors […]

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