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Graphic titled “What’s New in NYC Civic Tech? Week 25 of 2025” overlaid on a background of woven textile artworks displayed on a gallery wall. A light blue text box highlights newsletter topics, and the graphic ends with the line “Curated by BetaNYC and YOU!” in bold white text.

What’s New in NYC Civic Tech – June 19, 2025

Gabby Langston

Dear friends,

At BetaNYC, we have been devastated witnessing the continued targeting and dehumanization of immigrant communities—families separated, neighbors detained, and entire lives and livelihoods destroyed. 

In these painful moments, many of us have longed for support and found strength in unexpected places. From quiet acts of care to bold public action, New Yorkers continue to show up for one another in ways big and small. That solidarity is what holds us together.

As we reflect on Juneteenth—the day when the last enslaved people in the U.S. learned they were free—we must also reflect on the land we walk on and its history. New York City’s Civic Center, the site of ICE’s recent actions and the federal government’s courthouse complex, sits atop the burial ground of enslaved Africans who built this city. That contradiction is not lost on us. We honor Juneteenth by remembering that freedom, safety, and dignity must be defended and redefined by every generation.

Yesterday, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by ICE agents while standing in solidarity at a courthouse, where they arrested and detained Edgardo, our fellow New Yorker, who is still in detention as of this writing and faces deportation. New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has since been released. We echo the words of our friends at Urban Librarians Unite:

“We stand with every immigrant who walks out of court unsure if they’ll make it home.

We stand with every public servant who risks their safety just by doing the right thing.

Now more than ever, we must raise our voices, protect our communities, and refuse to be silent in the face of injustice.”

Real New Yorkers know this city is made by immigrants. We know we are better together. We believe solidarity means investing in our neighbors, our communities, and ourselves. Solidarity is standing together and respecting the labor we all dedicate to progress.

And right now, that solidarity looks like showing up in the ways you can:

  • Vote in the NYC primary—early voting is underway, and Primary Day is June 24.
  • Volunteer for a local group organizing for justice.
  • Protest with your community—and prepare safety protocols together in case police escalate.
  • Organize your workplace or community to learn how to be anti-racist, abolitionist, and feminist, and really hold each other accountable to grow.
  • If all of this is overwhelming, and if all you can do right now is rest, care for family, or grieve, know that’s part of the work too. We cannot afford to lose anyone, and we all have a role to play in collective liberation. 

As the Urban Librarians Unite reminded us, “It should not take an elected official being slammed against a hallway wall for people to pay attention.” But if that’s what it takes, let it also be a wake-up call to organize and protect each other.

At BetaNYC, we’re committed to building tools and conversations that serve the public. Join us at one of our upcoming events—learn how to use open data, build skills in public interest tech, and connect with others working for a more just city: beta.nyc/events. Also, CityCamp NYC is coming up. If your organization wants to lead a conversation about technology, equity, and the future of our city, get in touch. Let’s build a better city together.

In solidarity,

Noel Hidalgo, Gabrielle Langston, and Jazzy Smith 

Upcoming Events with BetaNYC 🎊

Our Open Data classes now include NEW YORK state data! Plus, there are new opportunities to learn about mapping public amenities. Visit beta.nyc/events for the full list of upcoming events!

Community Resources 📚  

  • Measuring Civic Trust in Cities: A new SSRN paper and accompanying LinkedIn post from Stefaan Verhulst unveil a practical framework that turns the concept of civic trust into measurable emotional and behavioral signals.
  • Reimagining the Code for America Summit: A civic-tech insider critiques the 2024–2025 Code for America Summits, then lays out bold ideas for building a more focused, high-impact conference.
  • Data Brokers & Danger: A Minnesota lawmaker was targeted in a shooting—and it may have started with her personal info sold by data brokers. (Paywall)
  • “Extremely disturbing and unethical”: Some VA doctors are refusing care in protest—find out what’s behind their refusal and what it means for veterans.
  • Buzz Alert: Swarm season is here! Learn why bees are swarming through NYC and what you shouldn’t do if you see one.

This Week in Data, Tech, & Gov News 🏛️

  • Public Tech Gets a Boost: Georgetown is investing in tech for the public good—meet the new fellowship tapping ex-federal digital service experts.
  • Tech & Power Collide: Last weekend’s military parade was funded from US taxpayer dollars, but also sponsored by big tech companies. 
  • Tesla’s Robotaxi Advantage: A quiet regulatory shift could give Tesla’s robotaxis a huge leg up—see how U.S. rules may pave the road for Musk’s next move.
  • EV Rollback Alert: The federal administration just canceled California’s nation-leading EV mandate. Politico has the latest on what this means for the climate, cars, and clean energy.
  • Next steps for DOGE: Amid Elon Musk’s departure, DOGE’s work continues across federal agencies with the same goals.
  • What Is This Trump Phone? The Trump Organization launched a $499 phone and wireless plan. Yes, you read that right.
  • Editorial—Curb the Crackdown: Crain’s New York argues that NYC’s e-bike crackdown may hurt more than it helps and states that the city should hit the brakes. (Paywall) 

Artificial Intelligence 🤖

  • Canada’s AI Power Move? At the G7, Canada has a chance to lead on global AI rules. According to Tech Policy Press, here’s what it will take to get serious on safety and standards.
  • NY AI Rules in Limbo: New York lawmakers want to regulate AI, but federal pushback may block their efforts—here’s what’s at stake.
  • AI and the Supply Chain: From warehouse jobs to consumer prices, AI is reshaping the supply chain, and it’s already affecting your daily life.
  • AI and the “one-person unicorn”: Thanks to AI, one-person startups could become billion-dollar businesses. Here’s how that future is unfolding.

Election 2025 🗳️

  • Know Your Council District: NYC’s districts recently changed! Find your City Council rep and understand what’s new in your neighborhood in this tool from THE CITY.
  • Early Voting Energy: Day one of early voting brought photo ops and campaign trail highlights—see how NYC’s mayoral hopefuls showed up.
  • Southeast Queens Showdown: Why are NYC’s mayoral hopefuls flooding Southeast Queens with attention? Because the battle for this neighborhood could tip the balance of the whole Democratic primary.
  • Election Cliffhanger: NYC’s mayoral primary results won’t be final for weeks after the polls close—here’s what’s next.

Jobs Alert and Announcements 💼 

  • OSM Mappers, NYU wants your insights! NYU researchers are exploring how OpenStreetMap contributors think about data quality and mapping norms—take their 15–20 min anonymous survey for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card.
  • The Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity is hiring a Service Design Fellow.
  • The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is seeking a Manager Planning (Spatial Data).

Upcoming Events 📅

Note: All times are listed in EDT

Want to sponsor this newsletter or be featured in future ones? Share your community resources, projects, events, and anything else happening so we can feature them in future posts. 

What did you think of today’s newsletter? We’d love to hear your feedback and ideas. Reply to this message. Take care of each other, and have a great weekend. Happy Juneteenth!