Tech Week: SF Authorizes Deadly Police Robots, Twitter Stops Policing Covid Misinformation & More

SF Authorizes Police Use of Lethal Robots

On an 8-3 vote, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors authorized police to deploy robots with lethal force in very rare cases involving violent suspects such as mass shooters. A minority of the board opposed the policy out of concern that it could let police kill too easily. The board adopted an amendment requiring a high-ranking SFPD leader to authorize the actual use of such a robot. (GOVERNMENT TECH)

Twitter Lifts Covid-19 Misinformation Ban

As of November 23 Twitter is no longer stopping users from spreading misinformation about Covid-19 on the social media platform, according to a recent update of its content moderation policies. Since 2020, the platform’s Covid-19 misinformation ban had led to over 11,000 account suspensions. (POLITICO)

NJ Passes Bill Addressing Social Media Misinformation

The New Jersey Legislature overwhelmingly passed a bill (SB 588) providing for the establishment of statewide guidelines for information literacy, including “digital, visual, media, textual, and technological literacy.” If signed by Gov. Phil Murphy (D), students from kindergarten through 12^th grade would be taught how to identify trustworthy information sources and distinguish fact from opinion. Supporters of the measure say it's necessary because of the rise of misinformation on social media. (NJ ADVANCE MEDIA, STATE NET)

CA Greenlights $1B EV Charging Project Mainly for Trucks

The California Public Utilities Commission approved a $1 billion electric vehicle charging program directed mainly at increasing the use of midsize- and heavy-duty all-electric trucks, which account for a disproportionate share of transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions. The rebate program, which will be funded by utility ratepayers across the state, will remain in effect for five years. (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE)

Feds Break Up Crypto Laundering Network

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas charged 21 people in a transnational network that laundered over $300 million in cryptocurrency annually. Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Bill Mack said the “case proves that we can track these people down and charge them.” (CNBC)

-- Compiled by KOREY CLARK