Tag Archives: agencies

Congress Approves Funding Bill for U.S. Science Agencies, Defeating Trump’s Proposed Cuts

Posted on by
Reply

The Senate has decisively rejected the Trump administration’s proposal to significantly slash funding for federal scientific agencies. On Thursday, the Senate voted 82-15 to allocate billions more to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, and the National Science Foundation (NSF) than what was requested by the president.

This bipartisan minibus budget will fund various agencies focused on science and the environment until September 30. The bill had passed the House last week with an overwhelming vote of 397-28.

Following the Trump administration’s budget suggestions would have resulted in catastrophic cuts: a 57% reduction for the NSF, a 47% cut for NASA’s scientific research division, and a 27% decrease for NOAA, which manages the National Weather Service, as stated by Sen. Patty Murray from Washington. As highlighted in Congressional testimony last summer.

The bill is set to be presented to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Despite an overall reduction in spending, the strong bipartisan support underscores a consensus to either maintain the status quo or implement only modest cuts.

Additionally, the legislation includes significant funding boosts for several scientific programs that the Trump administration eyed for elimination, notably NOAA’s satellite program. It also allocates resources to strengthen the workforce of the National Weather Service, which has seen cuts through layoffs and other measures.

This bipartisan effort was spearheaded by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Murray.

In her remarks on the Senate floor, Collins expressed her strong support for the NSF, which provides nearly a quarter of federal funding for essential scientific research, according to their official site.

“I am delighted that we could restore the funding originally proposed for cuts and also address indirect research funding, a priority for me,” Collins stated.

Indirect research costs cover vital expenses such as equipment, operations, maintenance, accounting, and personnel. Earlier this year, the Trump administration sought to redefine the baseline for these costs, but the current budget prevents such changes.

In an overview of the bill, Murray emphasized a boost of $1.67 billion for NOAA and an additional $5.63 billion for NASA compared to Trump’s requests.

“We have stood firm against Trump’s proposed cuts to scientific research, reducing the NSF’s budget by 57%, halving NASA’s science budget, and devastating NOAA and crucial climate research resources,” she remarked in a Senate floor address on Monday. She stated during her speech.

Murray also stressed, “This legislation reinforces Congress’ authority over significant spending decisions.”

When asked about the president’s potential signature, the White House directed NBC News to a previous statement from the Office of Management and Budget. This statement indicated administration support, highlighting that the bill would contribute to overall spending cuts and assist the nation’s journey toward “energy dominance.”

“If the bill is presented to the president in its current form, senior advisers will likely recommend he sign it into law,” read the statement.

Congress will soon review additional minibus bills covering labor, healthcare, national security, and other critical issues. Lawmakers must finalize spending by January 30, the deadline established following a 43-day government shutdown.

In her remarks on Thursday, Collins reiterated her focus on getting the bill signed into law by the deadline to prevent an “unnecessary and extremely damaging government shutdown.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

AI-Generated “Poverty Porn” Images Exploited by Aid Agencies

Posted on by
Reply

Images generated by AI depicting extreme poverty, children, and survivors of sexual violence are increasingly populating stock photo platforms and are being utilized by prominent health NGOs, according to global health specialists who raise alarms over a shift towards what they term “poverty porn.”

“They are widespread,” shares Noah Arnold from Fair Picture, a Switzerland-based organization dedicated to fostering ethical imagery in global development. “Some organizations are actively employing AI visuals, while others are experimenting cautiously.”

Arseni Alenichev, researcher states, “The images replicate the visual lexicon of poverty: children with empty plates, cracked earth, and other typical visuals,” as noted by researchers at the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp specializing in global health imagery.

Alenichev has amassed over 100 AI-generated images depicting extreme poverty intended for individuals and NGOs to use in social media initiatives against hunger and sexual violence. The visuals he provided to the Guardian reflect scenes that perpetuate exaggerated stereotypes, such as an African girl dressed in a wedding gown with tears on her cheeks. In a comment article published Thursday, he argues that these images represent “poverty porn 2.0”.

While quantifying the prevalence of AI-generated images is challenging, Alenichev and his team believe their usage is rising, driven by concerns regarding consent and financial constraints. Arnold mentioned that budget cuts to NGO funding in the U.S. exacerbate the situation.

“It’s evident organizations are beginning to consider synthetic images in place of real photographs because they are more affordable and eliminate the need for consent or other complications,” Alenichev explained.

AI-generated visuals depicting extreme poverty are now appearing abundantly on popular stock photo websites, including Adobe Stock Photography and Freepik when searching for terms like “poverty.” Many of these images carry captions such as “Realistic child in refugee camp,” and “Children in Asia swim in garbage-filled rivers.” Adobe’s licensing fees for such images are approximately £60.

“They are deeply racist. They should never have been published as they reflect the worst stereotypes about Africa, India, and more,” Alenichev asserted.

Freepik’s CEO Joaquín Abela stated that the accountability for usage of these extreme images falls upon media consumers rather than platforms like his. He pointed out that the AI-generated stock photos come from the platform’s global user base, and if an image is purchased by a Freepik customer, that user community earns a licensing fee.

He added that Freepik is attempting to mitigate bias present elsewhere in its photo library by “introducing diversity” and striving for gender balance in images of professionals like lawyers and CEOs featured on the site.

However, he acknowledged limitations in what can be achieved on his platform. “It’s akin to drying the ocean. We make efforts, but the reality is that if consumers worldwide demand images in a specific manner, there’s little anyone can do.”




A screen capture of an AI-generated image of “poverty” on a stock photo site, raising concerns about biased depictions and stereotypes.
Illustration: Freepik

Historically, prominent charities have integrated AI-generated images into their global health communication strategies. In 2023, the Dutch branch of the British charity Plan International will launch a video campaign against child marriage featuring AI-generated images including that of a girl with black eyes, an elderly man, and a pregnant teenager.

Last year, the United Nations released a video that showcased the AI-generated testimony of a Burundian woman who was raped and left for dead in 1993 amidst the civil war. This video was removed after The Guardian reached out to the UN for a statement.

“The video in question was produced over a year ago utilizing rapidly advancing tools and was taken down because we perceived it to demonstrate inappropriate use of AI, potentially jeopardizing the integrity of the information by blending real footage with nearly authentic, artificially generated content,” remarked a UN peacekeeping spokesperson.

“The United Nations remains dedicated to supporting survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, including through innovative and creative advocacy.”

Arnold commented that the rising reliance on these AI images is rooted in a long-standing discussion concerning ethical imagery and respectful storytelling concerning poverty and violence. “It’s likely simpler to procure an off-the-shelf AI visual, as it’s not tied to any real individual.”


Kate Kaldle, a communications consultant for NGOs, expressed her disgust at the images, recalling previous conversations about the concept of “poverty porn” in the sector.

“It’s unfortunate that the struggle for more ethical representation of those experiencing poverty has become unrealistic,” she lamented.

Generative AI tools have long been known to reproduce—and at times exaggerate—widely-held societal biases. Alenichev mentioned that this issue could be intensified by the presence of biased images in global health communications, as such images can circulate across the internet and ultimately be used to train the next wave of AI models, which has been shown to exacerbate prejudice.

A spokesperson for Plan International noted that as of this year, the NGO has “adopted guidance advising against the use of AI to portray individual children,” and that their 2023 campaign employed AI-generated images to maintain “the privacy and dignity of real girls.”

Adobe opted not to comment.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Public Health Agencies Urged to Develop Period Tracking Apps for Data Protection

Posted on by
Reply

As public health organizations indicate that women’s personal information is vulnerable to exploitation by private entities, experts advocate for public health groups to create alternatives to for-profit period tracker applications.

A study from the University of Cambridge reveals that smartphone apps used for menstrual cycle tracking serve as a “Goldmine” for consumer profiling, collecting data on exercise, diet, medication, hormone levels, and birth control methods.

The economic worth of this information is often “greatly underestimated” by users who share intimate details in unregulated markets with profit-driven businesses, according to the report.

If mishandled, data from cycle tracking apps (CTAs) could lead to issues like employment bias, workplace monitoring, discrimination in health insurance, risks of cyberstalking, and restricted access to abortion services, research indicates.

The authors urge for improved regulation in the expanding Femtech sector to safeguard users as data is sold in large quantities, suggesting that apps should offer clear consent options regarding data collection and promote the establishment of public health agency alternatives to commercial CTAs.

“The menstrual cycle tracking app is marketed as empowering women and bridging gender health disparities,” stated Dr. Stephanie Felberger, PhD, of the Center for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge, the lead author of the report. “Nevertheless, its underlying business model relies on commercial usage, wherein user data and insights are sold to third parties for profit.

“As a consequence of the monetization of data collected by cycle tracking app companies, women face significant and alarming privacy and safety threats.”

The report indicates that most cycle tracking apps cater to women attempting to conceive, making the stored data highly commercially valuable. Other life events, aside from home purchasing, do not trigger such notable shifts in consumer behavior.

Data pertaining to pregnancy is valued at over 200 times more than information about age, gender, or location for targeted advertisements. Furthermore, tracking cycle duration can allow for targeting women at various phases of their cycles.

The three most popular apps project a quarterly download figure of 500 million yen for 2024. The digital health sector focused on women’s wellness is anticipated to surpass $60 billion (£44 billion) by 2027, as noted in the report.

In light of the considerable demand for period tracking, the authors are calling on public health entities, including the UK’s NHS, to create transparent and reliable apps as alternatives to commercial offerings.

“The UK is ideally positioned to address researchers’ challenges related to menstrual data access, as well as privacy and data concerns, by developing an NHS app dedicated to tracking menstrual cycles,” added that the parent-child relationship in the US Reproductive Medicine Plan currently utilizes its own app.

“Apps situated within public health frameworks, which are not primarily profit-driven, can significantly reduce privacy violations, gather essential data on reproductive health, and empower users regarding the utilization of their menstrual information.”

“Utilizing cycle tracking apps is beneficial. Women deserve better than having their menstrual tracking data treated merely as consumer data,” remarked Professor Gina Neff, executive director of the Mindeoo Center.

In the UK and the EU, period tracking data falls under “special categories” and enjoys greater legal protection, similar to genetics and ethnicity. In the United States, authorities collect menstrual cycle data which may hinder access to abortion services, according to the report.

Source: www.theguardian.com

20 State Attorneys General File Lawsuit Against Trump Administration to Reestablish Health Agencies

Posted on by
Reply

On Monday, 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration concerning mass shootings and the dismantling of agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The legal action, spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, asserts that the administration breached numerous laws and circumvented Congressional oversight by attempting to streamline HHS from 28 agencies to 15, while planning to lay off about 20,000 employees.

James stated, “This administration hasn’t streamlined the federal government. They’re blocking it. If you terminate scientists researching infectious diseases, silence medical professionals caring for pregnant individuals, shut down programs supporting firefighters and miners, or hinder children’s development, you’re not improving America’s health. You’re jeopardizing countless lives.”

The restructuring announcement by HHS came in late March as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s initiative to reduce the federal workforce. The cuts included layoffs of 3,500 employees from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 1,200 from the National Institutes of Health.

HHS indicated it will establish a new institution, referred to as the Healthy American regime, to take on some responsibilities formerly held by the agencies being dissolved, including programs focused on mental, environmental, or worker health.

Nonetheless, the lawsuit claims that the recent cuts have “severe, complicated, prolonged, and potentially irreversible” effects. The Attorney General emphasized in a press release that the restructuring impaired HHS’s ability to perform critical functions, disrupting mental health and substance abuse services, weakening responses to HIV/AIDS, and diminishing support for low-income families and individuals with disabilities.

Specifically, the Trump administration has let go of staff responsible for maintaining federal poverty guidelines, which are essential for determining food aid, housing assistance, and Medicaid eligibility, as well as reducing teams managing the low-income housing energy assistance program.

Half of the workforce from the Department of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services—one of the dissolved HHS agencies—has also been terminated. Consequently, the Attorney General reported that national investigations into drug use and health have come to a halt, and the federal team overseeing the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline has vanished.

The CDC has lost multiple labs that track infections, including those focusing on infectious diseases and tobacco control, as mentioned in the release. The team also monitored maternal mortality rates in the U.S. Additionally, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has been disbanded, which previously played a role in screening workers’ health issues related to toxic exposure.

The Trump administration asserts that certain programs, such as the World Trade Center Health Program—which provides screening and treatment for 9/11-related illnesses—and health surveillance initiatives for coal miners will persist under the Healthy American administration. However, many NIOSH employees associated with these programs are facing administrative leave and potential termination by June, as indicated in an internal government memo obtained by NBC News.

The lawsuit filed on Monday demands that HHS dismantle the agency and cease its efforts to restore the vital programs that have been lost.

This lawsuit is not the first to contest the federal government’s downsizing efforts. A coalition of 23 attorneys general previously sued HHS in April over the termination of approximately $11 billion in public health funding. A federal judge temporarily blocked these cuts but has yet to issue a final ruling.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Research suggests that Australian government agencies may consider using Israeli spyware technology

Posted on by
Reply

According to a new report, Australian government agencies could potentially be customers of military-grade spyware from Israeli company Paragon Solutions.

Earlier this year, Meta disclosed that over 90 individuals, including journalists, were targeted on WhatsApp using this software, although it remains uncertain if Australians were among the targets.

In reports released by Citizen Lab on Wednesday, two Australian IP addresses were identified as potential users of Paragon’s spyware tools. Citizen Lab managed to map out Paragon’s server infrastructure based on tips they received.

The spyware allows access to messaging apps on users’ devices and is exclusively sold to governments worldwide, not to private entities.

The Australian domains mentioned in the report do not have a history of previous ownership according to WHOIS domain searches. These domains could potentially be utilized by federal or state agencies, although sources indicate that Paragon Solutions is not linked to the Ministry of Interior or Australia’s Signals Bureau.

When questioned about Australian customers or the targeting of Australians, Paragon did not provide direct answers to these queries.

John Fleming, the executive chairman of the company, stated, “Paragon’s ultimate goal is to aid national security and law enforcement in combating serious crimes and terrorism within the boundaries of the law, while also considering privacy implications. They ensure that customers operate within legal frameworks and enforce strict rules against misuse.”

A recent report from Citizen Lab followed Meta’s announcement in January that journalists and civil society members were targeted on WhatsApp using spyware owned by Paragon Solutions.

Meta sent a cease and desist letter to Paragon and explored legal actions against them after the incident.

Skip past newsletter promotions

Meta declined to comment further when asked if Australians were among the targets.

Italian investigative journalist Francesco Cancerato uncovered a young fascist within the far-right party of Italian Prime Minister Giogia Meloni after receiving alerts from WhatsApp regarding the attack.

Following this revelation, Paragon Solutions terminated its contract with Italy. Meloni’s office denied any involvement by the national intelligence agency or government in alleged violations against journalists and activists.

Citizen Lab, headquartered at the University of Toronto, specializes in research on cyber and surveillance technologies.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Experts warn of increasing cyberattacks tied to Chinese intelligence agencies

Posted on by
Reply

Warning analysts have highlighted the increasing power and frequency of cyberattacks linked to Chinese intelligence as foreign governments test their response. This comes in the wake of revelations concerning a large-scale hack of British data.

Both the British and American governments disclosed that the hacking group Advanced Persistent Threat 31 (APT 31), supported by Chinese government spy agencies, has been targeting politicians, national security officials, journalists, and businesses for several years. They have been accused of carrying out cyber attacks. In the UK, hackers potentially accessed information held by the Electoral Commission on tens of millions of British voters, and cyber espionage targeted vocal MPs on the threat posed by China. Sanctions have been announced against Chinese companies and individuals involved by both the US and UK governments.

New Zealand’s government also expressed concerns to the Chinese government about Beijing’s involvement in attacks aimed at the country’s parliamentary institutions in 2021.

Analysts informed the Guardian that there are clear indications of a rise in cyberattacks believed to be orchestrated by Chinese attackers with ties to Chinese intelligence and government.

Chong Che, an analyst at Taiwan-based cyber threat analysis firm T5, stated, “Some hacking groups often rely on China to carry out attacks on specific targets, such as the recent iSoon Information incident. It’s an information security company that has a contract with intelligence agencies.” T5 has observed an increase in constantly evolving hacking activity by Chinese groups in the Pacific region and Taiwan over the past three years.

Chong also mentioned that while there isn’t enough information to directly trace activities to China’s highest leadership (with the Chinese government denying the allegations), activity can’t be discounted considering the Chinese system that does not differentiate… They believe that their objective is to infiltrate specific targets and steal critical information and intelligence, whether political, military, or commercial.

Several analysts noted that Western governments have become more willing to attribute cyberattacks to China after years of avoiding confrontation with the world’s second-largest economy.

David Tuffley, senior lecturer in cybersecurity at Australia’s Griffith University, remarked, “We’ve shifted from being less critical in the past to being more proactive, likely due to the increased threat and scale of actual intrusions. They are now a much more significant threat.” Cyberattacks are part of China’s gray zone activities, actions that approach but do not reach the threshold of war.

Tuffley highlighted that while much of the cyber activity is regionally focused on Taiwan and countries in the South China Sea with territorial claims, the cyberattacks are widespread. China aims to cause instability in the target country and test adversary defenses, rather than engage in violent war.

Tuffley warned of the risk of escalation, noting that other governments like the US and UK also possess sophisticated cyber espionage capabilities but have not publicly threatened action against China. US authorities charged individuals with conducting cyberattacks in violation of US law, suggesting a deep level of knowledge about the attacks.

Adam Marais, chief information security officer at Arctic Wolf, commented, “If you’ve been involved in cybersecurity for many years, this report from UK authorities won’t surprise you at all. Beijing continues to view cyber as a natural extension of its national strategy and has little fear of using cyber technology to advance its national interests.”

Source: www.theguardian.com