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Seattle residents technology study points to progress and remaining digital divide

The City of Seattle has released the Technology Access and Adoption Study thanks to the input of over 4,600 Seattle residents. The study, conducted every five years, provides valuable data and insight on internet access and use, devices, digital skills, civic participation, training needs, and safety and security concerns. Results… [ Keep reading ]

Public Comment Period Opening for the Technology Assisted Crime Prevention Pilot Technologies 

Update (3/25/2024): Public comment period extended to April 12. The City of Seattle is exploring new technologies to help deter and detect criminal activity in specific locations where gun violence, human trafficking, and persistent felony crime is concentrated. The group of new technologies will help the City’s public safety response… [ Keep reading ]

Low-income internet support program at risk of losing federal funding. What you can do to help save the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal benefit that helps qualifying low-income households pay for internet service and devices. Since its creation in January 2022, the ACP has grown to help over 22 million U.S. households (roughly one in six Americans) access the internet. More than 36,000 households in… [ Keep reading ]

Observe Data Privacy Week by Protecting Your Own Data

Much like a New Year’s resolution or a calendar reminder to change the batteries in the smoke detectors on New Year’s Day, Data Privacy Day on January 28 is the perfect prompt for renewed diligence on data privacy. First, Let’s Define Privacy Privacy is a fundamental human right recognized in… [ Keep reading ]

City of Seattle Named One of Nation’s Digital Inclusion Trailblazers

Seattle recognized as a “Visionary” in the Trailblazer program The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) named Seattle a 2023 Digital Inclusion Trailblazer, recognizing the City’s efforts to close the digital divide. As the pandemic demonstrated, digital inclusion – access to affordable high-speed internet, devices, and digital skills training – is… [ Keep reading ]

City of Seattle Seeks New Members to Serve on the Community Technology Advisory Board — Apply Now through November 30

The City of Seattle seeks volunteers to join the Community Technology Advisory Board (CTAB). The 10-member board and its committees help guide city strategies and investments in information and communications technology. CTAB members advise the Seattle Information Technology Department (Seattle IT), the Mayor, and City Council on a range of… [ Keep reading ]

City of Seattle releases Generative Artificial Intelligence Policy defining responsible use for City employees

The City of Seattle has released the Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy this week. The final policy comes after a six-month working period with the Generative AI Advisory Team and City employees. The policy takes a principle-based approach to governing the use of Generative AI based on the City’s governing… [ Keep reading ]

City of Seattle’s Busy Digital Equity Fall Campaign

Closing the digital divide is challenging work. Connecting the unconnected requires more than just boxes and wires; it requires tailor-made planning to meet the community’s needs. The City of Seattle’s Digital Equity team has been working to meet those needs for over 25 years. In the past few months, they… [ Keep reading ]

Deadline coming for 2024 Digital Equity Grant application process; join the last virtual information session

The last virtual information session for the 2024 Digital Equity Grant application process will be held Thursday, November 2, from 5 – 6 p.m. Details on how to join the virtual session are below. Digital grant team members will review grant guidelines, applications, and review criteria. The final day to… [ Keep reading ]

Digital Inclusion: Building Connected Communities with Privacy Best Practices

As the leaves begin to turn colors, and the days get darker and a bit drizzlier, it can only mean that the holidays are approaching. And with the holidays and family merriment come the inevitable scams which tend to run parallel. Many of these fraud attempts seek to manipulate the… [ Keep reading ]