Author Archive

Brendan Sasso

Brendan Sasso

Brendan Sasso is a technology correspondent for National Journal. He previously covered technology policy issues for The Hill and was a researcher and contributing writer for the 2012 edition of the Almanac of American Politics. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from Claremont McKenna College.
Brendan Sasso is a technology correspondent for National Journal. He previously covered technology policy issues for The Hill and was a researcher and contributing writer for the 2012 edition of the Almanac of American Politics. He grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated from Claremont McKenna College.
Oversight

The Hill's Newest Encryption Fight -- Over Committee Turf

Some lawmakers created a “working group,” while others want a “commission.”

Tech

The White House's Encryption Views Are All Over the Map

Some government officials are focused on catching criminals, while others worry about empowering hackers.

Oversight

Ted Cruz Is Correct: The NSA Reform Bill Allows More Spying

With terrorism fears running high, Cruz and Rubio traded shots over government surveillance.

Management

The FAA Will Require $5 Registration Fee for Drones

Drone companies are expecting big sales for the holidays, but the government just gave them a lump of coal.

Defense

FBI Director: It’s Impossible to Ban All Encryption

The government can at least make it harder to hide from surveillance, James Comey says.

Oversight

Most House Members Want to End Email Spying. Why Hasn’t Their Bill Moved?

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte is wary of hamstringing government investigations.

Tech

FCC Slashes Prison Phone Rates

Federal regulators overrode Republican opposition to cap phone rates for prisoners.

Tech

Regulators: Bill Could Make Cars More Vulnerable to Hackers

Republicans want to boost the security and privacy of connected cars, but the FTC says the House plan would backfire.

Oversight

Drone Firm Faces $1.9 FAA Million Fine for Unsanctioned Flights

The agency has proposed its largest ever fine of a company for unauthorized drone flights.

Oversight

EU Court Ruling: NSA Spying Violates Privacy Rights of Millions

By throwing out a key international agreement, the ruling delivers a blow to global tech companies.

Management

Feds: App Secretly Hijacked Phones to Mine Digital Money

The "Prized" app drained batteries and burned through mobile data, according to regulators.

Management

Groups Boycott Administration's Facial Recognition Talk

The Commerce Department will forge ahead, but privacy advocates have lost faith in negotiations over software that can identify faces.

Management

Experts: NSA Spying May Leave the U.S. Without Moral High Ground in OPM Hack

Was the breach of federal employee records all that different from U.S. surveillance programs?

Oversight

Members of Congress Look to Probe FBI’s Use of Spy Planes

The FBI has reportedly been using planes equipped with high-tech cameras and cell-phone tracking technology.

Management

National Security Agency Starts to Shut Down Mass-Spying Program

Republicans said the White House was being "disingenuous" by threatening to shutter the surveillance program.

Oversight

NSA Spying Heads to Critical Senate Showdown

Mitch McConnell will force a vote on a clean reauthorization of the Patriot Act next week as a deadline looms.

Defense

NSA Officials Lobby Senators as Patriot Act Nears Deadline

The White House is supporting an NSA reform bill, but Mitch McConnell wants to keep the spying program unchanged.

Oversight

Patriot Act In Uncharted Legal Territory As Deadline Approaches

Will the Patriot Act mean something different if lawmakers renew it now that they know the full extent of the NSA's spying?

Management

Democrats Press FCC to Unmask Koch-Backed Groups

Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats are pushing the KOCH Act to require tougher disclosure rules for political TV ads.

Tech

For First Time in 7 Years, FCC Fines TV Station for Nudity

A Virginia TV station admits to airing a porn clip during the news, but it says the FCC is violating its free-speech rights.