IT for government and public sector
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News
03 Jan 2024
Artificial intelligence to the front in Sweden’s National Technology Strategy
Sweden focuses in on artificial intelligence in its latest far-reaching national IT strategy Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2023
Finland shows off its new 20-qubit quantum computer
Anybody who scoffs at Finland’s lofty ambitions in the field of quantum computing should remember that not only is the country home to one of Europe's most successful companies (Nokia), but it also houses Europe’s most powerful supercomputer (LUMI). Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Inquiry launched into role of tech in Covid-19 recovery
Science and Technology Committee will look at the role of technology and innovation as the UK recovers from the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Courts to trial digital case management system from September 2020
The Common Platform digital system will eventually replace a series of existing software applications, and will be rolled out to criminal courts over the next year Continue Reading
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News
24 Jul 2020
Government launches space innovation programme
The government’s innovation programme will initially pump £15m into projects using space technology to tackle global issues, as well as international space projects and partnerships Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Jul 2020
How Schrems II will impact data sharing between the UK and the US
At the end of this year, the UK will no longer be subject to the EU’s treaties, opening the way for it and the US to finalise a new trade relationship. Could the UK leave EU data protection standards behind? Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Jul 2020
Making Tax Digital will boost business resilience in case of future Covid crises
HMRC is expanding the digitisation of income and corporation tax in a move that will benefit businesses, the self-employed and the economy, writes the government's financial secretary to the Treasury Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2020
UK government aims for tech-enabled border
A consultation has been launched to gather views on how digital approaches can improve trader and traveller demands by 2025 Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
DCMS loses government data policy to the Cabinet Office
Prime minister Boris Johnson has taken away responsibility for the government use of data from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and given it to the Cabinet Office Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
New opportunities for Nordic startups post-Covid-19 as virtual offices become the norm
As companies adjust to digital office life in the pandemic era, a host of Nordic startups are already helping them convert these short-term fixes into long-term strategy Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
TfL contracts Capita for London Underground section of emergency services network
Capita will implement the network infrastructure that will enable the emergency services mobile network to work on the London Underground Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
CDEI calls for ‘step change’ in public sector data sharing
Public sector needs to change the way data is shared, clarify governance arrangements and work on building public trust and awareness, according to a Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation report Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
HMRC extends Making Tax Digital programme
Programme to be extended gradually until April 2023 to cover business below the VAT threshold and income tax self-assessments above £10,000 a year Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2020
Covid-19 outbreak ramps up data focus at LOTI
The boroughs working in local government coalition LOTI are focusing on joining up and acting on data-driven insights to help communities through the crisis and beyond Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2020
Government launches fintech review
Sector review, first touted in the 2020 Budget, aims to find ways to boost competitiveness and growth Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2020
DVLA makes technological progress
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has introduced a 24/7 chatbot, modernised its core IT network and is prototyping robotic process automation Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Jul 2020
Building trust in the future of London’s data
Sharing data by default could turbocharge London’s potential for radical improvements across the ecosystem, according to London First’s director of connectivity and competitiveness, David Lutton Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Unesco launches global consultation on AI ethics
The United Nations (UN) body opens up public consultation to help experts draft new global framework on artificial intelligence ethics Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Government gives £24m boost to agricultural tech
Nine agricultural technology projects are receiving government funding to create more efficient food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Lockdown sparks interest in digital skills for 58% of adults
Adults in the UK are becoming increasingly interested in digital skills, with over 80% saying they will become even more important over the next year Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Loan charge: Government dashes hopes of revised down settlements for contractors
HMRC and HM Treasury confirm there are no plans to alter the loan charge settlement terms, despite calls from cross-party MPs to consider doing so Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Public sector not considering the elderly in development of digital services
A study by software firm Civica found public sector leaders have admitted to not targeting digital services at those over 70, despite many people this age claiming to use digital technology Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Russian state hackers attacking Covid-19 researchers
Kremlin-linked APT29 group, also known as Cozy Bear, is conducting a campaign against Covid-19 researchers around the world Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Government response to Finance Bill Sub-Committee inquiry slammed
Contracting stakeholders claim HMRC and HM Treasury are ‘burying their heads in the sand’ over impact IR35 reforms are set to have on the private sector Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Schrems v Facebook: European court strikes down EU-US Privacy Shield agreement
The European Court of Justice has struck down Privacy Shield, the EU-US data-sharing agreement, creating uncertainty for European countries that share data with the US and pressuring the US to reform surveillance laws Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Gov.uk Verify sees surge during Covid-19 outbreak but remains unachievable
The government's flagship identity service and over half of the 26 major IT projects led by the government bear highest risks and are unlikely to be completed, according to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2020
Room for improvement in Dutch digital skills
The Netherlands has good telecommunications and IT networks that can be used safely and reliably, but there is room for improvement in digital skills among the Dutch Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Defra releases sustainable IT strategy
Defra’s sustainable IT strategy seeks to help government and private organisations maximise the benefits of sustainability, with an overall mission to ‘leave the environment in a better state than we found it’ Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Overseas IT directors could need salary of £56,100 to work in the UK
The government has confirmed the salaries it considers as the ‘going rate’ for tech professions, which overseas applicants will need to earn to gain immigration points Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Huge declines in traditional outsourcing as Covid-19 puts a stop on deals
Traditional IT outsourcing deals value plummets in the last quarter as contracts dry up amid Covid-19 disruption Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Jul 2020
11 obscure questions, Facebook, Max Schrems and the European Court of Justice
Eleven obscure questions will be the first step towards explaining why we in the UK and Europe have experienced 13 years of what has been described as ‘mass and indiscriminate surveillance’ by the US Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
University graduates to Nutanix Files hyper-converged NAS
The University of Reading had already deployed Nutanix hyper-converged infrastructure so it made sense to add Nutanix Files when its ageing NAS boxes bit the dust Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Jul 2020
The UK government’s weaponization of data analytics
Data analytics seems to have emerged as a cure-all for the current Conservative government. Indeed, it is being positioned as a critical element in the wider revolution of Whitehall that Dominic ... Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2020
European court to decide legality of EU-US data sharing in dispute between Schrems and Facebook
A ruling by the European Court of Justice will have ramifications for hundreds of thousands of companies that share data with the US. The case aims to balance US surveillance laws with the rights of EU citizens to keep their data private Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2020
Government pumps more than £100m into border IT systems
HMRC will get more than £100m for border IT systems as part of a £705m government funding package for infrastructure, jobs and technology post-Brexit Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2020
Subpostmasters hit funding target to prevent government from burying IT scandal
The government is set to face scrutiny over its involvement in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, described as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in modern UK history Continue Reading
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News
10 Jul 2020
Universal Credit still struggles with digital issues, says NAO
The cost of rolling out Universal Credit continues to rise, while only 20% of new claimants attempt to verify their identity online and digital skills remain an issue, according to the National Audit Office Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2020
NHS North West London boosts analytics use during Covid-19 outbreak
A collaboration of NHS hospitals and health organisations in London is enhancing the use of data to improve their response to coronavirus Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2020
NHS trust uses case management software to deliver time savings
To deal with inefficient and unreliable processes, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust has implemented a case management system specifically designed for HR practitioners Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2020
Clearview AI faces ICO investigation over facial recognition
Controversial company that scraped data from the public internet to build its facial recognition algorithm faces a joint UK-Australian investigation into its practices Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Jul 2020
The pandemic has made UK government rethink its relationship with data
Data has been essential to fighting the coronavirus outbreak, and the forthcoming National Data Strategy promises to place data at the heart of the UK's economic recovery Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Jul 2020
CW Middle East: Facing up to coronavirus
The UAE, like the rest of the world, continues to be heavily impacted by the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic – and technology is helping to lead the fight. Also read why the the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company sees its flagship digital project in high demand, and how the coronavirus has spurred the use of financial technology in Bahrain. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2020
Matt Hancock encourages private sector involvement in post-pandemic NHS technology
Health secretary Matt Hancock has outlined how the NHS will continue to leverage digital technologies with the help of the private sector after the Covid-19 pandemic ends Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2020
Political awareness needed to ethically handle migration data, panel claims
Understanding the political, social and economic relationships between different groups in society is needed to ensure location data is not used in ways that further endanger already vulnerable people on the move Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2020
Post Office scandal victims have days to raise thousands of pounds or perpetrators go scot-free
Victims of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal need to raise thousands of pounds in a week or those responsible for their suffering will avoid scrutiny Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jul 2020
Auditing for algorithmic discrimination
Despite the abundance of decision-making algorithms with social impacts, many companies are not conducting specific audits for bias and discrimination that can help mitigate their potentially negative consequences Continue Reading
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Blog Post
06 Jul 2020
It’s time to party! Yet another government digital identity scheme is on the way
On 14 March 2021, we will mark the tenth anniversary of the official approval for the development of a single government-wide digital identity system. Save the date in your diaries. Intended to ... Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2020
Green tech needed for post-Covid economic recovery
Green technology investments could help society recover from the coronavirus – and prepare it for the long-term negative social and economic outcomes of climate change Continue Reading
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Blog Post
03 Jul 2020
GDS 'under duress' - is there a row going on down near Whitechapel?
The Government Digital Service (GDS) has taken its fair share of criticism in recent years – including from Computer Weekly - and much of it justified. But there’s little doubt the team at GDS HQ ... Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2020
DWP publishes digital delivery results and cost of IT blunders
DWP released a number of updates of its digital transformation work including several initiatives relating to the Covid-19 outbreak, and reported more than £10m sunk in failed IT projects Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Jul 2020
Why a shared channel experience will meet user needs at DWP Digital
The Department for Work and Pensions outlines the approach it is taking to developing user-focused digital services Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2020
Loan charge MPs denied House of Commons vote on Finance Bill policy amendments
Despite securing the support of 50 named MPs, an amendment to the forthcoming Finance Bill that could have seen thousands of people fall out of scope of the Loan Charge policy has been denied Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2020
Cops take out encrypted comms to disrupt organised crime
The UK’s National Crime Agency, alongside other law enforcement agencies in France and the Netherlands, have busted illicit arms and drugs rings after disabling an encrypted comms platform Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2020
Police secrecy over ‘IMSI-catcher’ mass surveillance of mobile phones
Following a tribunal ruling, constabularies in England and Wales can refuse to confirm or deny whether they use mass surveillance devices, known as IMSI-catchers to monitor people’s location, phone calls and text messages Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2020
Civil and family courts to get video platform for remote hearings
Video platform that has been used in magistrates’ and crown courts during the coronavirus pandemic will be extended to civil and family courts Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2020
CMA calls on government to revamp regulations for tech giants
Competition regulator says current laws are not fit for purpose and wants a new, ‘pro-competition regulatory regime’ that the likes of Google and Facebook must abide by Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2020
Equity in STEM education more important than ever, says Parliamentary group
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM suggests recommendations for increasing equity in education after stating coronavirus makes diversity increasingly important Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2020
UK government announces Office for Talent
The Office for Talent is part of a research and development roadmap, which includes an innovation programme to accelerate innovation in government Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2020
Lenovo, top-of-the-world Chinese supercomputer supplier, sweeps all markets
Supercomputers are not just about computing power, they are a symbol of political ambition. Chinese supercomputer supplier Lenovo is now the dominant supplier across the world Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2020
Australia to invest a record A$1.35bn in cyber security
The Australian government is making its largest ever investment in cyber security over the next decade to identify cyber threats, disrupt foreign cyber criminals and build new capabilities Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2020
HMRC and Treasury accused of ‘direct interference’ in independent loan charge review
Loan Charge All-Party Parliamentary Group report pours scorn on claims that December 2019 review of government’s disguised renumeration policy was conducted independently Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2020
Government expands Future Fund eligibility criteria
The Future Fund will now be accessible to startups that have previously taken part in accelerator programmes, but early-stage firms continue to struggle Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
MPs urged to back Finance Bill amendments to loan charge policy
Loan Charge Action Group urges its members to ask their MPs to support an amendment to the controversial loan charge policy that could see more people fall outside its scope Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
Lawyers learn of fresh US allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from press reports
The US has filed an updated indictment against Julian Assange alleging that he conspired with hacking groups to obtain information for WikiLeaks. Defence and prosecution lawyers learned about it from press reports Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
MPs to examine fairness of private prosecutions in light of Post Office IT scandal
Parliamentary Justice Committee to hold short inquiry into the rules and regulations surrounding private organisations’ ability to initiate criminal proceedings Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
Lords urge government to take immediate action on online harms
Select committee calls for tech giants to be held responsible for the harm done to individuals, wider society and democratic processes through online misinformation Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
UKCloud signs MoU with CCS to provide public sector with discounted cloud pricing
Public sector-focused IaaS firm UKCloud has become the latest supplier to sign a discounted pricing deal with the UK government Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2020
CBI: Government must take steps to drive SME business innovation
The coronavirus pandemic has shown how much can be achieved in a short period with a strong partnership between government and industry – and this needs to continue Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2020
NHSX seeks evolution of digital transformation capabilities
New approaches and team structures could be tested as a result of learnings from the work around Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2020
Former Post Office CEO and Fujitsu play the blame game in Horizon IT scandal
Post Office and Fujitsu blame each other for many of the failings in the Horizon IT scandal that wrecked lives Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2020
CBI: UK needs an immigration and training rethink
For the UK to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, vast swathes of the population will need retraining – and overseas IT specialists will also be needed Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2020
CBI: Digital economy needs joined-up regulations and gigabit broadband
The coronavirus pandemic has shown the need for fast, reliable networking across the UK. The CBI is urging the government to do more Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2020
HMRC yet to begin building UK border IT system
The UK government has still not built its Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) IT system, despite the end of the Brexit transition period looming, while the Port of Dover’s head of EU exit proposes just licensing the French IT system instead Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2020
Firm that investigated controversial Post Office IT system to support criminal conviction appeals
Second Sight is working with law firm in appeals by subpostmasters against criminal convictions in Horizon IT scandal Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2020
IT services giant gives staff time out to volunteer for police clients
IT services company CGI responds to Met Police call by offering its staff the opportunity to take 11 days paid leave to volunteer their time Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2020
SoftIron aims at data too valuable for commodity storage
UK array maker hopes to be the storage provider of choice for those that really value their data, with highly optimised Ceph-powered hardware aimed at HPC users and enterprises Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2020
Government to publish digital strategy this autumn
Strategy will set out how to increase tech-led economic growth and productivity after the Covid-19 pandemic, says digital secretary Oliver Dowden Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2020
Immigrants’ rights campaigners take Home Office to court over visa algorithm
Campaigners claim built-in algorithmic bias makes processing of visa applications ‘discriminatory’ Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2020
East Coast Main Line to get £350m digital signalling boost
Government accelerates the roll-out of electronic signalling, pumping £350m into a digital signalling system on the East Coast Mainline Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2020
Care Quality Commission to discuss concerns over Paula Vennells’ NHS role
Healthcare regulator will be discussing concerns about former NHS boss chairing an NHS trust at an upcoming meeting Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2020
Post Office Horizon scandal victims keep pressure on government’s doorstep
Subpostmasters fighting for justice in IT scandal are pressuring government on numerous fronts, as momentum is regained after reduced activity due to Covid-19 lockdown Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2020
Technology firms come under scrutiny for ties to law enforcement
Three major technology companies have committed to not selling facial-recognition tech to law enforcement, but remain silent on how other technologies can be used to fuel racial injustice and discriminatory policing Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2020
AI bias and privacy issues require more than clever tech
The new AI Barometer report from the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation has assessed the threats and opportunities of artificial intelligence in the UK Continue Reading
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News
19 Jun 2020
Facebook allows US users to disable political ads
Users of the social media platform will soon be able to opt out of seeing politically motivated posts Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
US pulls out of talks with Europe for global digital tax
Despite the US’s resistance to an international digital services tax, the UK and other European countries plan to continue pushing for a global solution to taxing technology giants Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
Data protection watchdog calls for controls on police mobile phone stop-and-searches
Information commissioner wants new safeguards on the use of police powers to download sensitive personal data from the mobile phones of suspects and crime victims Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
EU-backed bid to build data preservation cloud for European research community gathers pace
The Archiver project, which aims to create a hybrid cloud-based data preservation environment for scientific researchers across Europe, has named the ICT suppliers in the running to deliver on its vision Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
Survey finds 30% of people let down by public-sector tech during pandemic
ThoughtWorks research highlights problems around remote schooling, local government and GP services Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
Nordic business is leading open banking charge in Europe
Nordic region has the right ingredients to prove open banking can benefit consumers, businesses and the economy Continue Reading
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News
17 Jun 2020
Amnesty identifies most privacy-invasive Covid-19 contact-tracing apps
Bahrain’s ‘BeAware Bahrain’, Kuwait’s ‘Shlonik’ and Norway’s ‘Smittestopp’ are the most privacy-invasive contact-tracing apps, reveals Amnesty International study Continue Reading
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News
17 Jun 2020
Select committee chair demands sharper teeth for review of Post Office IT scandal
Call for government review of Post Office Horizon scandal to have the power to force individuals to give evidence under oath Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2020
NHS Digital seeks suppliers for Covid-19 testing service
The NHS Digital tender aims to find a partner to handle the development, delivery and running of the coronavirus testing service Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2020
Government publishes geospatial data strategy to capitalise on location data
National Geospatial Strategy will develop the country’s location data framework over the next five years Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2020
Norway’s contact-tracing app suspended over privacy concerns
Norway has been given until 23 June to justify the location tracking of citizens who download its contract-tracing app Continue Reading
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16 Jun 2020
6G, European internet, censorship: EU Parliament sets out vision for digital services
Research outlines trends for the coming decade and an action plan with some controversial recommendations to inform the decisions of policymakers around the upcoming Digital Services Act. Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2020
UK quantum technology projects get a £70m boost
Government is funding 38 projects, one-third of which are focused on quantum computing Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Jun 2020
Why UK needs independent oversight body for contact-tracing app
The public needs and deserves clarity, and not just assurances, over the UK’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2020
Northern Ireland invests £1.7m in online learning
Package of online skills interventions aimed at people who have been affected by the coronavirus Continue Reading
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News
15 Jun 2020
Blow to government review of Post Office scandal as key forensic accountants refuse to support it
The government’s proposed review of the Post Office IT scandal has received a further setback as forensic accountants join subpostmasters in refusing to back it Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2020
NHS email service users ensnared in phishing attack
More than 100 accounts on the NHSmail service were affected by attack, but health service says no patient data was accessed Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2020
UK to boost data science efforts in citizen services
Government Digital Service launches Data Labs to enhance services with tools such as artificial intelligence and natural language processing Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2020
UN secretary general calls for global digital cooperation
Antonio Guterres launches roadmap for digital cooperation and calls for world leaders to come together to “connect, respect and protect people in the digital age” Continue Reading