The Environmental Protection Agency issued a memo to state governments today requiring local water systems to meet basic cybersecurity standards.
Why it matters: High-profile cyberattacks on water systems in Florida and California in recent years have showcased how insecure the nation's cash-strapped water utilities are in their digital systems.
President Joe Biden's new national cyber strategy is teeing up a more aggressive, military-involved fight against ransomware.
Driving the news: In the strategy released Thursday, ransomware is officially declared a national security threat, unlocking new authorities for the military and intelligence community to use some of its strongest cyber tools against ransomware gangs.
Founders Fund has quietly cut the size of its eighth venture capital fund in half, from around $1.8 billion to around $900 million, Axios has learned from multiple sources.
Why it matters: This is a shot across the VC industry's bow by firm founder Peter Thiel, and will force peers to explain why they're not doing the same. It also puts added pressure on firms that currently are in market.
Nearly 70% of drivers say they're afraid of fully self-driving cars, according to a new AAA survey — up from 55% a year ago. About a quarter say they're unsure, while just 9% say they trust them.
Why it matters: Carmakers are rushing to add automation to new models. But this survey shows they have lots more work to do to convince drivers the features are safe.
President Biden’s nominee for an open seat on the Federal Communications Commission, Gigi Sohn, appears stalled in committee and is in danger of failing to reach the full Senate floor for a vote, according to Democratic Senate officials.
Why it matters: If her nomination falters, the FCC will remain deadlocked with two Republican and two Democratic commissioners — hindering the Biden administration’s effort to implement key parts of the president’s agenda.
They stand five feet tall and glide at three miles per hour, patrolling office buildings for everything from broken fire alarms to suspicious activity: Security robots are starting to replace human guards in workplaces and beyond.
Two American men were arrested in Kansas City Thursday on suspicion of illegally exporting aviation technology to Russia, prosecutors announced.
Driving the news: Cyril Gregory Buyanovsky, 59, and Douglas Edward Robertson, 55, were arrested in an investigation involving the Department of Justice's KleptoCapture task force, an interagency group dedicated to enforcing sanctions in response to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
AI is in new territory that demands we be both "brave" and responsible about analyzing its benefits and risks before any release, the CEO and co-founder of one of the world's AI powerhousestold Axios. "Every time."
Why it matters: Demis Hassabis helms DeepMind, the leading AI lab that advanced a technique underpinning much of the field's recent progress and driving ChatGPT and other generative AI tools that are saturating headlines.
The addition of 15 classic Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games to the Nintendo Switch last month will be deeply offset by the removal of 155 titles for those platforms from the online marketplace for two outgoing Nintendo platforms this month, according to an Axios check of the systems' online stores.
Why it matters: Nintendo's back catalog, comprising scores of Mario, Zelda and Pokémon titles, is beloved by millions of players, but the company makes it challenging for users to purchase and play those games on recent hardware.
Online counseling service BetterHelp will be banned from sharing consumer health data for advertising purposes and fined $7.8 million under a proposed Federal Trade Commission order issued Thursday.
Driving the news: The FTC issued the proposed order after alleging BetterHelp revealed sensitive consumer data to third parties like Facebook and Snapchat, after pledging to keep such information private.
Kinship Ventures is raising $75 million for its debut fund, Axios has learned.
What to know: Kinship is led by Gwyneth Paltrow, an actress who also founded lifystyle brand Goop, and Moj Mahdara, a longtime beauty industry entrepreneur and investor known for founding the Beautycon event.
Major video game companies have been insufficiently forthcoming about responding to a reported rise in white supremacy and other extremism in online games, the office of Rep. Lori Trahan (D-Mass.) tells Axios.
Driving the news: Trahan is releasing — and criticizing — summaries of responses from 14 video game companies regarding problematic behavior in online games.
With strict limits already in place on China's access to U.S. technology, the federal government is exploring how to further tighten the vise amid growing political and economic tensions.
Between the lines: Cracking down on China has support from both parties, though there isn't always agreement on exactly which steps to take.
Fidelity Investments didn't change the carrying value of its Twitter shares during the month of January, according to a new disclosure.
Why it matters: The investment firm previously marked Twitter stock down by more than 60% during the first two reporting months after Elon Musk's $44 billion takeover, which Fidelity helped to finance.
San Francisco Bay Area startup Cana likens its beverage-making gadget to "Star Trek"'s replicator — so it's not that surprising that the firm has signed on actor Patrick Stewart (the show's Captain Picard) to be an ambassador for the company, whose first device is scheduled to ship by the end of the year.
Why it matters: Cana pitches its countertop device, which can make everything from sparkling water to teas and coffees to alcoholic beverages, as not just versatile, but also good for the planet, replacing much of the packaging and waste that accompanies most drinks consumed at home.
The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced on Wednesday that it’s slashing the price of insulin and capping out-of-pocket costs for patients at $35 a month at most retail pharmacies.
Plus, the FAA investigates more near-collisions at U.S. airports.
And, TikTok sets limits for its youngest users.
Guests: Axios' Adriel Bettelheim and Alex Fitzpatrick.
Credits: Axios Today is produced by Niala Boodhoo, Alexandra Botti, Naomi Shavin, Lydia McMullen-Laird, Fonda Mwangi and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at [email protected]. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.
The Biden administration is promising to hold software developers and critical infrastructure to tougher security standards and apply more pressure on ransomware gangs as part of its first national cybersecurity strategy, released Thursday.
Why it matters: The nearly 40-page document provides a roadmap for new laws and regulations over the next few years aimed at helping the United States prepare for and fight emerging cyber threats.
