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
11 Mar 2020
Cross-regulator taskforce on digital economy announced in 2020 Budget
UK regulators will join forces to look at how the potential regulation of the digital platforms and advertising markets would work Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2020
Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s 2020 Budget pumps £22bn into R&D
The 2020 Budget pledges to increase research and development funding to £22bn a year, £5bn for broadband roll-out and £900m to ensure UK businesses lead the way in “high-potential technologies”, but slashes tax relief for entrepreneurs Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2020
International Women’s Day provides platform for Nordic women in tech
International annual event reminds tech industry that work needs to be done to reduce inequality, but organisations must work towards this on a daily basis Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2020
NHS partners with Google to improve health information online
Latest measures will ensure direct access to NHS advice for more than 250 most-searched health conditions Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2020
MPs told to hold to account those responsible for Post Office Horizon IT scandal
Subpostmasters who had their lives destroyed by a faulty IT system and mistreatment by the Post Office have asked MPs to hold to account the people responsible for the injustices Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2020
More questions raised about Gov.uk Verify as digital identity chief quits
Lisa Barrett, director of digital identity at GDS and head of the troubled Verify programme, is leaving government as funding questions remain ahead of Budget Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2020
GDS works on joining up government services
The GDS is assembling a business case as information about the impact of disjointed government offerings is gathered Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2020
DCMS seeks outside experts to review government data sharing ahead of spending review
The DCMS is seeking consultants to undertake a short-term but strategic project to figure out how to improve data sharing across government ahead of the comprehensive spending review, rolled over from 2019 to 2020 Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2020
TechUK lays out proposals for Spring Budget
Trade body TechUK sets out its view on how to accelerate UK growth through technology in its submission to the March 2020 Budget Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2020
MI5 slammed by watchdog for failing to delete intercepted phone and internet data
The Investigatory Powers Commissioner (IPCO) has criticised MI5 for failing to report serious errors in the way it handles intercepted phone and internet data Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2020
Those who did not play by the rules in Post Office Horizon scandal “should face prosecution”
Telford MP has become a vocal member of the campaign for justice for the subpostmasters who had their lives devastated as a result of being blamed for losses caused by errors in the Post Office’s core retail and accounting system Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2020
Oliver Dowden: UK can be “unashamedly pro-tech nation”
The secretary of state spoke about the country's opportunity to “unleash all the innovation and enterprise that emerging technologies can provide” Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
Boots and Tesco loyalty card schemes plagued by security issues
High-street retailers deal with fraudulent attempts to access the accounts of thousands of customers Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
Biometrics ethics group takes evidence on public-private use of facial recognition
Collaboration between police forces and private entities on facial recognition technology comes under scrutiny by the Home Office’s Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2020
MPs call on PM to commit to full public inquiry into Post Office Horizon IT scandal
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee to investigate the Horizon IT system and will question Post Office executives over subpostmasters wrongly accused of fraud Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2020
5G security is a concern for most companies
A study has found that decision-makers fear that 5G technology will make organisations more vulnerable to cyber attacks and will raise security-related costs Continue Reading
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Blog Post
04 Mar 2020
Cabinet Office gives more non-answers on the future of Gov.uk Verify
The remarkable levels of secrecy and avoidance of scrutiny around the Gov.uk Verify digital identity scheme continue – and if anything, seem to have reached new levels of absurdity. Last week, ... Continue Reading
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Podcast
04 Mar 2020
Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – episode 49
In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna discuss IR35 through the prism of Eamonn Holmes, the tech community’s reaction to the points-based immigration system, and robotic process automation as beneficial to humans Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Mar 2020
What is ARPA and what should a UK version look like?
The Prime Minister wants the UK to be a hotbed of science and research, and his advisor Dominic Cummings admires the US ARPA organisation – but what would a UK version need to be successful? Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Mar 2020
EC publishes approach to human and ethical implications of AI, but what will UK do?
The European Commission has published a guide to the EU’s approach to the human and ethical effects that artificial intelligence might bring Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2020
MPs double down on criticism of HMRC's loan charge enforcement action report
The war of words between the Loan Charge All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and HMRC has deepened, as the cross-party group of MPs pens three-page letter outlining its issues with how tax agency is reporting on its enforcement activities Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Mar 2020
A five-point plan to get the UK out of the Huawei hole
It's not too late for the UK to develop an alternative to Huawei, says Labour's shadow digital minister Continue Reading
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E-Zine
03 Mar 2020
What will points-based immigration mean for IT recruitment?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the government’s new points-based immigration rules and assess the implications for the tech sector. IR35 tax rules change in April – we find out how IT contractors need to prepare. And we examine whether the rise of cloud is really displacing the datacentre. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2020
HMRC CEO denies it is ‘deliberately misleading’ public over loan scheme promoter arrests
HMRC CEO Jim Harra has “strongly rejected” claims made on social media by the Loan Charge All Party Parliamentary Group of cross-party MPs that it is “deliberately misleading” the public about its recent loan scheme-related enforcement activities Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2020
NHSX appoints chief information officer
Sonia Patel is the latest senior appointment at the digital unit of the National Health Service Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2020
Boris Johnson’s commitment to inquiry into Post Office scandal in doubt
Boris Johnson’s apparent commitment to a public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal is not so certain Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2020
Student Loans Company to enlist IT suppliers for £200m transformation plan
Suppliers are being sought to support intended improvements to Student Loans Company's customer interface and technology estate Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2020
Government claims it was misled by Post Office over IT scandal
Minister says Post Office IT experts misled the government when it asked questions about subpostmasters’ concerns over Horizon IT system Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Feb 2020
Would you still consider the UK an attractive destination for global tech talent?
Imagine you’re a skilled, ambitious IT professional living outside the UK and you want to maximise your earning potential and your exposure to the latest technology. You’re assessing where in the ... Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
WikiLeaks founder Assange is well enough to participate in extradition proceedings, says judge
A judge dismissed claims that Julian Assange’s vulnerable psychological state would prevent him from taking part in his extradition hearing to face espionage and computer misuse charges in the US Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
Gove warns EU that UK sovereignty is non-negotiable on eve of trade deal talks
The UK and the EU have published their divergent mandates for trade talks due to start on Monday 2 March 2020, and digital may emerge as a long-term terrain of dispute Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
NHSX launches Tech Plan vision
The strategy will see a phased approach to the delivery of digitisation in the healthcare sector, with delivery kicking off this summer Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
Clearview hack fuels debate over facial recognition
Customers of Clearview AI, a controversial startup that scrapes and sells billions of photos of people from social media to police forces, have found themselves at the centre of a major data breach Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: Treasury review concludes no delay needed to April 2020 start date
Contracting groups describe HM Treasury’s highly anticipated review into the implementation of the IR35 reforms as “recklessly inadequate” as it concludes roll-out should proceed as planned Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
IR35 reforms: IT contractors warned off joining non-compliant umbrellas to avoid loan charge risk
Contracting stakeholders are calling on the government to do more to regulate umbrella companies ahead of the IR35 private sector reforms coming into play, to prevent more contractors falling into the scope of the loan charge Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
Redcar & Cleveland Council confirms ransomware attack
Local authority’s systems are still offline nearly three weeks after being attacked Continue Reading
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Blog Post
26 Feb 2020
Holmes under the hammer
IR35 has claimed its first big name, after Eamonn Holmes failed to convince the courts he’s a freelancer in his case against HMRC. For the humble freelancer, the introduction of the kaleidoscopic ... Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
NHSX publishes first progress report since launch
Digital unit for the National Health Service outlines achievements in areas such as the NHS App and artificial intelligence and gives clues about future milestones Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange cannot be legally extradited for ‘political offences’, say lawyers
Lawyers for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange argue that he has been charged with political offences and cannot be legally extradited to the US under the US-UK extradition treaty Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
Thousands of UK entrepreneurs register businesses in Estonia since Brexit referendum
UK entrepreneurs are registering businesses in Estonia to make sure they can continue to trade freely in the EU Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
Boris Johnson commits to 'getting to the bottom of' Post Office Horizon IT scandal
Prime minister Boris Johnson appears to commit to a public inquiry into the Post Office scandal over its accounting system, but government is yet to offer any details Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
Met Police chief backs legislative framework for police tech
Met Police commissioner has called for legislative framework to govern police use of new technologies, while defending the decision to use live facial recognition technology operationally without it Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Julian Assange phoned White House to warn of risk to lives
Julian Assange phoned the White House to warn officials that unredacted cables published on the web posed a risk to lives, a court heard yesterday Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Boots to trial private e-prescriptions
The pharmacy chain is trialling the service, underpinned by Doctor Care Anywhere technology, in 20 London stores Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Government admits it was too passive managing Post Office as parliamentary pressure builds
The UK government faces accusations of neglecting its duties handling the Post Office as pressure mounts in Parliament for justice for the subpostmasters who suffered due to faults in the Horizon IT system Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Cyber criminals targeting UK motorists, warns DVLA
Cyber criminals are offering various services and tax refunds that purport to be from the DVLA Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Department for Education publishes tools to support learning at home
The Department for Education publishes apps featuring innovations such as artificial intelligence aimed at helping parents to use technology to create positive learning environments Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
Assange extradition is a politically motivated ‘abuse of power’, court hears
US government’s attempt to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges in the US is politically motivated and an abuse of process, court told Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
WikiLeaks founder Assange ‘put lives at risk’ by disclosing names in leaked documents, court hears
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange ‘put lives of US informants at risk’ by publishing unredacted documents, lawyers for the US argued at the first day of a week-long extradition hearing Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
Estonia to give citizens Alexa-like access to public services
The Estonian government is working on a project that will ultimately allow citizens to ask Siri, Alexa or almost any other virtual digital assistant to interact with government departments on their behalf Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: First year of enforcement won't be ‘heavy-handed’, claims chancellor
New chancellor Rishi Sunak has moved to assure business leaders that HMRC will not be heavy-handed in enforcing the new IR35 rules Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
Tech reaction to UK’s upcoming immigration rules
The government has outlined its plans for a new points-based immigration system to ensure only skilled workers can enter the UK – but what does the technology sector think? Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2020
Australian government inks sourcing deal with Rimini Street
The whole-of-government agreement will provide Australian government agencies with easier and cheaper access to third-party software support Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2020
Scotland to set up payments service for public sector
Scottish government seeks supplier to work on beta phase of development Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2020
Executive interview: Making IT sustainable
Defra recently reported that “cloud-first” IT strategies are driving green information and communications technology in government. This puts a greater emphasis on datacentre transparency Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2020
EU defies big tech firms and proposes single data market
The European Commission outlines actions needed to enable the continent's digital success Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2020
EU puts up AI and data strategies with an ethical twist
European Commission launches strategies for artificial intelligence and data economics, making the fight against climate change their raison d’être Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2020
Data sharing between private healthcare and NHS to move into new phase
A consultation has been launched to seek views on the creation of a single source of healthcare data in England, with a series of pilots announced Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2020
US ‘breached due process’ in spying operation against Julian Assange’s lawyers
Surveillance footage of Julian Assange’s meetings with lawyers and doctors in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London was an “abuse of process” Continue Reading
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Podcast
18 Feb 2020
Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 47
In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna discuss IR35 protests, the Oracle vs SAP cloud applications dog fight, and a Goldman Sachs cloud service for its banking sector Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2020
Swedish council tests virtual reality in care for vulnerable people
Local authority is testing virtual reality technology to provide care services to vulnerable groups such elderly and disabled citizens Continue Reading
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E-Zine
18 Feb 2020
Trust no one – the benefits of zero-trust security
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we take an in-depth look at zero-trust security and examine how it changes traditional IT risk models. After SAP extended the support deadline for its ECC ERP system, we find out the options for users. And we analyse explainable AI and the ethical importance of understanding algorithms. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2020
Government invests in tech to tackle traffic congestion
Councils and SMEs will get a share of £1.5m government funding to work on trials aimed at improving driving conditions Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2020
Concerns raised over former Post Office CEO’s appointment at NHS trust under review
Care Quality Commission to review concerns over Paula Vennells’ appointment after they were raised by a former NHS consultant psychiatrist Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Feb 2020
From Pixar to GovTech: The inside story of Singapore’s AI whizz
After nearly a decade at Pixar, GovTech’s Chong Jiayi is leading a team of experts to solve hard problems in robotics and artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2020
Met Office gets a decade of funding to update supercomputers
As the UK goes through another storm battering, the Met Office has received a £1.2bn investment to power the next decade of weather forecasts Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Feb 2020
Want to hear the latest on Gov.uk Verify? Sorry, GDS still has nothing to say
The great and the good of the digital identity sector gathered in London yesterday (13 February) for the Think Digital Identity for Government conference – a popular bi-annual event that always ... Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
CIO Interview: Siim Sikkut, Estonian government CIO
Siim Sikkut is one of a generation of tech native Estonians, who is turning his knowledge and experience to transforming government services Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
PM Johnson shuffles technology and digital ministers again
Boris Johnson has changed all the key Cabinet appointments responsible for tech and digital policy for the second time since becoming prime minister last year Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
Calls for inquiry into Post Office IT scandal increase in Parliament, with cross-party support
Many MPs might not yet fully understand the suffering subpostmasters have endured because of the Post Office’s faulty IT system and its oppressive behaviour, but they will soon Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 Feb 2020
CW Benelux: Ericsson helps driverless buses hit European streets
Ericsson has revealed its plans for new technologies including 5G, the internet of things and self-driving buses. Also read about the Dutch government lacking the knowledge and skills for its own IT strategy, and the Dutch government’s need to push for an electronic ID system for its citizens. Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2020
Half of technology workers want to find a new job in 2020
Better pay and work/life balance are major reasons for tech workers to seek a new job, according to a new study Continue Reading
- 12 Feb 2020
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News
12 Feb 2020
Adult social care organisations get £4.5m in funding for digital
A group of 16 local authorities was selected to receive the grant from NHS Digital to fund digital projects for adult social care Continue Reading
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News
12 Feb 2020
Pressure for public inquiry into Post Office IT system scandal begins with mountain to climb
Members of Parliament seeking a public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal face huge challenges, but pressure and time could force justice Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2020
MI5 failed to disclose failings in handling intercepted data, court hears
MI5 failed to disclose serious failures in the way it handled intelligence data to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, the surveillance regulator and ministers. Continue Reading
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Podcast
11 Feb 2020
Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – episode 46
In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna are joined by special guest Hannah Foulds, head of marketing and membership at the Open Data Institute, who flags stories about humans tricking AI. The group then discusses the Women in Software Powerlist, the loan charge and online targeting Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2020
Two-thirds of workers at risk of robot-driven redundancy are unaware of the threat to jobs
People who do jobs that are most likely to be automated through technology are unaware and unprepared of the impending threat to their livelihoods, with Nesta calling on the government to do more to up-skill those at risk Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2020
Scotland makes inroads in digital identity project
The government has started building a prototype of what is planned to be a "user-centric" platform to access public services online Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2020
AI in public service must be accountable
Committee on Standards in Public Life recommends that government departments make ethics a top priority when tendering artificial intelligence systems Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2020
Australian government to roll out SAP S/4 Hana
Australia’s finance department earmarks S/4 Hana as its ERP system to provide common financial and HR services across government Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
IR35 private sector reforms: HMRC confirms last-minute tweak to incoming off-payroll rules
The government is rolling out a tweak to the IR35 private sector reforms that it claims will give businesses more time to prepare, but stakeholders are unconvinced Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
NHS Digital appoints new CISO
Pete Rose will also act as deputy chief executive at the IT partner for the National Health Service Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2020
Maastricht University pays €200,000 to Russian hackers
A Dutch university has taken the difficult decision to pay hundreds of thousands of Euros to Russian hackers that compromised its systems through a ransomware attack Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2020
UK investigates drone use for search and rescue
Maritime & Coastguard Agency will examine whether drones can be used to aid missions by visiting rescue sites Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2020
Digital sector contributes £400m a day to UK economy
Sector is growing six times faster than economic growth overall, according to government figures Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2020
NHSX to mandate minimum technology spend for trusts
Recent guidelines for NHSX sets out plans to define spending levels required so organisations can achieve digital aims Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2020
Social media targeting algorithms need regulation, says CDEI
The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation is recommending regulation of social media algorithms as part of a drive to make user targeting safe and ethical Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2020
MI5 faces court ruling over unlawful surveillance warrants
Privacy groups Liberty and Privacy International ask the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to order MI5 to disclose full details of ‘unlawful’ conduct, after classified documents reveal the spy agency failed to comply with surveillance laws Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
Digital strategy for 2020-2030 sets out police technology plans
National policing strategy sets a number of technological ambitions for the next decade, placing a particular emphasis on collaborative working and building common standards or frameworks Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
Government announces fast-track visa scheme for scientists and researchers
Government also removes cap on the number of people who can enter the UK via the Exceptional Talent route Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
Government refuses request to pay legal costs for subpostmasters in Post Office case
The government has refused to pay the huge legal costs subpostmasters incurred in their battle with the government-owned Post Office, which they won Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
NHS adds supplier security audits to procurement platform
A new feature in the NHS’s Edge4Health procurement platform will help NHS suppliers improve their cyber security posture and NHS organisations make better buying decisions Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
NHSX appoints new chief technology officer
David Turner will join the digital unit of the National Health Service in May 2020 Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
Estonian CIO gives UK IT professionals hope as Brexit removes rights
Tech chief says Estonia’s door is open to UK IT professionals if they want to continue enjoying an EU lifestyle Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jan 2020
Alan Bates: The ‘details man’ the Post Office paid the price for ignoring
In 2003, subpostmaster Alan Bates had his contract terminated when he refused to comply with Post Office policy. A decade and a half later, against the odds, he took the Post Office to the High Court and won a multimillion-pound legal case Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
Davos: The clock is ticking on climate change but cyber crime and emerging technologies add to risks
Climate change, natural disasters, extreme weather and loss of biodiversity are the greatest risks we face. With cyber conflicts, state-sponsored hacking and internet fragmentation, doing nothing is not an option, says the World Economic Forum Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
Harvey Nash hires first female CEO
Beverley White takes over as Albert Ellis steps down after 14 years leading the IT recruitment and services firm Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
UK’s Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa system ‘does not work well’, says MAC
During a review of whether the government should introduce a points-based system for migration, the Migration Advisory Committee claims the current Tier 1 system for exceptional talent is not fit for purpose Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2020
Northern Rail will trial tech to tackle overcrowding
Troubled operator Northern Rail will attempt to improve services by using technology as it is brought under government control Continue Reading