Maine

Weather or technical glitches notwithstanding, the state of Maine’s inaugural research satellite was due to lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California early Tuesday. Its aim? Collecting climate data.

The money, to be disbursed over the next five years, was activated by National Telecommunications and Information Administration approval of the state’s high-speed Internet spending plan.

Tall poles with flashing blue lights, solar panels, cameras and loudspeakers are popping up in the parking lots of some Maine businesses, drawing attention, questions and criticism.

Lawmakers advanced data privacy legislation that supporters say would be unique in the U.S. in protecting individual privacy and limiting the type of digital information companies can collect and maintain.

Plus, Maine is the first state to have its digital equity plan accepted, the NTCA is calling for a more effective challenge process for the national broadband map, and more.

The Affordable Connectivity Program provides financial assistance to help low-income Americans connect to the Internet. But, without new appropriations, the program will soon run out of money.

The breach that exposed the data of an estimated 1.3 million residents was discovered six months before notifications were sent out. Experts say the delay was necessary to investigate the incident.

The breach affected more than half of the data held by state’s Department of Health and Human Services, as well as data from other agencies. The incident affects 1.3 million people, in some cases exposing Social Security numbers.

Business groups argued against passage of a statewide digital privacy law during a public hearing Tuesday, saying the proposed limits on the amount of sensitive information they can collect and sell could lead to costly lawsuits and end popular customer loyalty programs.

Some lawmakers are coming back to Augusta next week to work on a host of online privacy bills that seek to address a complex national issue, a few of which have already drawn opposition from tech companies.

The University of Maine at Augusta is working with the Maine Department of Labor on a cybersecurity and IT registered apprenticeship program to recruit, train or upskill employees for those fields.

Officials are dealing with a growing number of "Zoombombings" in Maine and other states in which callers have interrupted municipal meetings with racist, antisemitic and homophobic language.

Plus, Oklahoma has launched a new interactive map to track Internet service in the state, Maine has submitted a new broadband plan to the federal government, and more.

Recently passed and proposed legislation across the country is bolstering telehealth expansion by redefining telehealth benefit specifications, enabling coverage across state lines and eliminating patient care obstacles for medical professionals.

Maine paused the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI apps for six months beginning in June. After hearing wide-ranging reactions, I decided to ask Nathan Willigar, the state CISO, about the move.

Maine recently got official word that it will receive $272 million in federal funding to build more Internet connectivity in the state as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law passed by Congress in 2021.

As of June 21, Maine’s executive branch entities are barred from using generative AI. This moratorium is intended to give the state time to research and evaluate risks posed by the technology.

Plus, Detroit’s parks are getting public Wi-Fi; the White House has launched invest.gov; New York continues to up enrollment in broadband program; and more.