1 Officials Warn Of More Cyber Threats To Electric Grid During Pandemic
As millions of people continue to struggle without power in the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias, lawmakers suggest you shouldn’t feel comfortable once the lights go back on. Senators and energy sector officials are warning of increasing cyber threats on critical U.S. infrastructure. Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Lisa Murkowski says attacks have heightened during the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, multiple agencies said foreign hackers zeroed in on Internet-connected operational technology assets. Siemens Energy provides equipment to support a third of the nation's daily energy needs – and President Steven Connor says the company gets attacked thousands of times a day. "We all know the stakes here," Murkowski notes. "A successful hack could shut down power, impacting hospitals, banks, gas pumps, military installations and cell phone service. The consequences would be widespread and devastating, and only more so if we are in the midst of a global pandemic."
2 Attorneys General Calls On Facebook To Do More To Limit Hate, Disinformation
In an open letter, 20 Attorneys General from across the country are calling on Facebook to limit the spread of hate and disinformation on its platform. The group sent a letter to the social media giant telling them they have fallen short in keeping hate content off its platform and protecting users from harassment. They also want Facebook to provide stronger support for users who are victims of online harassment. Facebook says they get it and are working hard to address concerns. “Hate speech is an issue across the internet,” the company says in a statement. “We are working to make Facebook as safe as possible. We share the goal of ensuring people feel safe on the internet." Elsewhere online, Twitter temporarily banned President Trump’s campaign from tweeting after he posted a video claiming children "are almost immune" from COVID-19. The company hid the tweet and sent Trump a request to remove it. It's not the first time that's happened on Twitter, but for Facebook it is. The company also took action on the same video, taking the post down on its own for the same reason.
3 President Trump Campaign Wants Debate With Biden Before November Elections
President Trump's campaign wants a debate with presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden before early voting begins for the presidential election. His campaign sent a letter to the Commission on Presidential debates requesting the debate. There are debates already planned for September 29th and October 22nd, but they are scheduled after voting would have already started. Campaign rep/ former New York City Mayor Rudy Guiliani says in the letter claiming voters would "be disenfranchised by not being able to see and hear the two major party candidates debate before they have ballots in-hand.” Something else a lot of voters want to see? Biden’s pick for Vice President. According to Axios.com, internal sources say he’s down to two candidates: California Senator Kamala Harris and former U.N. ambassador Susan Rice. Biden is reportedly interviewing potential running mates this week in his home state of Delaware.