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The Big Story
FBI misuses spy tool
The FBI repeatedly misused a surveillance tool in searching for foreign intelligence to use in cases pertaining to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and 2020 racial justice protests, according to an April 2022 court order publicly released Friday.
The order, which was released by the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, is significantly redacted but reveals thousands of violations of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the federal government to collect communications between certain targeted foreign individuals outside the U.S.
The court has legal oversight of the U.S. government’s espionage activities.
FBI officials said the violations came before corrective measures the agency took starting in summer 2021 and continuing into last year.
But the release could create obstacles as the FBI seeks to have its warrantless surveillance program receive reauthorization from Congress before it expires at the end of the year. It could also expose the agency to heightened scrutiny amid recent GOP attacks on its activities.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the report Friday to promote transparency, but members of Congress originally received the order last year.
NASA has chosen Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin to develop the lander for one of its missions that will send astronauts back to the moon. The agency said in a Friday release the company will be responsible for designing, developing, testing and verifying its lander to meet NASA’s human landing system requirements for multiple expeditions to be used for its Artemis V mission. The company will also have an uncrewed demonstration …
(NewsNation) — Amid a new wave of artificial intelligence, Apple iPhones will soon be able to speak in their users’ voices, the tech company announced on Tuesday. The new iPhone feature, Personal Voice, will give users randomized text prompts to generate 15 minutes of audio. Another feature, Live Speech, will allow users to save commonly used phrases for the device to speak during phone calls and in-person conversations. …
The chancellor of New York City’s school system announced Thursday that the city has revoked its ban on the use of ChatGPT in public schools. Chancellor David Banks wrote in an op-ed, published by Chalkbeat Thursday, that while the school system proceeded with “initial caution” concerning artificial intelligence (AI) programs earlier this year, they will now work to integrate the programs into the curriculum. …
NEW YORK (AP) — Montana’s first-of-its kind law that makes it illegal for residents to use TikTok in the state is already facing its first legal challenge with a lawsuit filed by five people who use the app and argue the law is an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights. Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed it into law Wednesday expecting a legal fight would follow. The law, which isn’t scheduled …
News we’ve flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics:
Israeli minister says Musk comments about George Soros not antisemitic
The minister, who’s charged with combatting antisemitism, said he did not view Musk’s remarks about the Jewish billionaire as antisemitic, The Washington Post reported.
Twitter accuses Microsoft of misusing its data
The social media company sent a letter to Microsoft’s chief executive claiming that the tech giant improperly use its data, The New York Times reported.
The Hill event
The Economic Snapshot: CEO Summit, May 31, 2-3:00 p.m. ET
The post-pandemic economy has defied expectations repeatedly. The U.S. labor market and consumer spending are chugging along, while inflation is cooling, yet risks of a recession and a debt ceiling showdown loom. “The Economic Snapshot” will check the pulse of the U.S. economy. The Hill will gather chief executives to dissect just how companies are faring during this uncertain economic landscape, featuring speakers such as Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines; Michelle Korsmo, President & CEO of National Restaurant Association; Matthew Shay, President & CEO, National Retail Federation; and Evan Smith, Co-Founder & CEO of Altana AI.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin man has been charged in a plot to hack and steal from thousands of sports betting accounts, court documents show. Joseph Garrison, 18, and others allegedly stole roughly $600,000 from 1,600 accounts on an unnamed sports betting site. Garrison surrendered to authorities …
This week’s new streaming options include rapper Jack Harlow’s acting debut, the return of Kesha and new projects for an heart-warming HGTV show. Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music and video …
A political action committee to get former Fox News host Tucker Carlson to run for president is making its launch with an ad that praises him for mocking … Read more
Former President Trump leads President Biden by a 7-point margin in a new survey shared Friday with The Hill from Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll. Separately, … Read more
