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New Zealand to use biometrics to monitor immigration
Technology will allow border control staff to conduct biometric checks on inbound and outbound passengers
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Exporting biometrics outside the U.S. by the book
The U.S. government controls the export of biometric hardware, software, and technologies; U.S. biometric companies would be wise to comply with the various control regulations
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New rules for private guards
Some 1,000 security companies operate in Greece, employing 50,000 people and making 90 million euros a year; the Greek parliament wants to tighten control of these companies
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Security research
Imperial College London launches the Institute for Security Science and Technology; new outfit will research techniques for preventing identity theft to safeguarding transport infrastructure, energy supplies, and communication networks
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DHS awards $1.8 billion in preparedness grants
DHS will award approximately $3 billion in Fiscal Year 2008 for preparedness; department has provided roughly $25 billion in grants since Fiscal Year 2002 to state, local, and tribal governments, as well as non-profit organizations
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New crime: Forged eye biometrics recognition stamps
How accurate is iris scanning biometric technology? read on: Three individuals are arresed at the Dubai airport for smuggling forged eye biometrics recognition stamps; the criminals’ goal: to facilitate the entry to the UAE of individuals who were previously banned
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U.S. updates Worldwide Caution information
New update supersedes the January one; it offers information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world
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ACLU: Terrorist Watch List hits one million names
ACLU claims terrorist watch list reached one million names; launches online watch list complaint form
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TSA: ACLU’s terrorist watch list facts and figures are a myth
The Transportation Security Administration refutes the facts and figures used by the ACLU in the latter’s claim that the list is now 1-million strong
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Shake-up at the top of New York State's homeland security office
David Sheppard, acting director of New York State Office of Homeland Security who was appointed by former governor George Pataki, resigned last week, signaling further consolidation of power by Michael Balboni, the state’s homeland security czar
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U.K. says country is a good place for scientific research
U.K. government body releases a reference work showing major research infrastructures, including light sources, research ships, innovative laboratories, and social data sets
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Cyber cafes to be monitored in India
Indian police places biometric systems and CCTV in more than 150 cyber cafes in order to catch cyber criminals in the act
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Cybercrime gangs highly structured
The chain of command of a cybercrime gang is not unlike the Mafia, an evolution which shows how online crime is becoming a broad, well-organized endeavor
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New Jersey's Stevens Tech to lead research on port security
Hoboken is poised to become a center for research into port security
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The long view
Terrorgram Block Is a Welcome Step Towards Countering Violent Extremism
Terrorgram has been linked to lone-actor attacks in Slovakia, Turkey, Brazil and the United States. Its listing places it among the likes of Hamas, Islamic State, and violent white supremacist groups such as Sonnenkrieg Division and The Base.
Most Americans Believe Misinformation Is a Problem — Federal Research Cuts Will Only Make the Problem Worse
Research on misinformation and disinformation has become the latest casualty of the Trump administration’s restructuring of federal research priorities. Following Trump’s executive orde, the National Science Foundation canceled hundreds of grants that supported research on misinformation and disinformation. But Trump’s executive order, instead of providing protections, will likely weaken Americans’ defenses against misinformation and disinformation, whether generated at home or by foreign actors.
Grok’s ‘White Genocide’ Responses Show How Generative AI Can Be Weaponized
The AI chatbot Grok spent one day in May 2025 spreading debunked conspiracy theories about “white genocide” in South Africa, echoing views publicly voiced by Elon Musk. There has been substantial research on methods for keeping AI from causing harm by avoiding such damaging statements – called AI alignment – but this incident is particularly alarming because it shows how those same techniques can be deliberately abused to produce misleading or ideologically motivated content.
The Future of Open Data in the Age of AI: Safeguarding Public Assets Amid Growing Private Sector Demands
AI offers immense potential, but that potential must be realized within a framework that protects the public’s right to its own information. The open data movement must evolve to meet this new challenge—not retreat from it.
Federal R&D Funding Boosts Productivity for the Whole Economy − Making Big Cuts to Such Government Spending Unwise
Large cuts to government-funded research and development can endanger American innovation – and the vital productivity gains it supports. If the government were to abandon its long-standing practice of investing in R&D, it would significantly slow the pace of U.S. innovation and economic growth.
Smaller Nuclear Reactors Spark Renewed Interest in a Once-Shunned Energy Source
In the past two years, half the states have taken action to promote nuclear power, from creating nuclear task forces to integrating nuclear into long-term energy plans.