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What’s New in NYC Civic Tech – July 17, 2025

Gabby Langston

Dear friends,

We hope you’re staying cool and finding some relief from this heat. As the saying goes, this may be the coolest summer of the rest of your life! 😉 All jokes aside, this week, we’re spotlighting civic engagement.

First, we’ve got new updates on CityCamp NYC! Our community-powered unconference focuses on the future of public interest technology, design, and data. It’s happening on Saturday, September 6, at CUNY School of Law in Queens. Whether you’re planning to attend or want to help out as a volunteer, now’s a great time to get involved.

We’re also sending kudos to OpenStreetMap editors who’ve helped make Brooklyn the top large U.S. city for biking, according to People for Bikes! It might not feel that way when navigating a blocked bike lane or riding in a shared lane, but it’s all about the power of connected community assets. If you’d like to contribute, our Mapping for Equity events will return on August 6 with NYC Council District 26. We’re committed to ensuring that NYC’s public space assets are open and accessible!

On the topic of maps, we loved THE CITY’s piece on UK artist Dan Ryder, who is creating a caricature-style map of NYC and inviting New Yorkers to help decide what should be included. It’s a fun reminder of how storytelling and places go hand in hand.

Meanwhile, we’re proud to share that our colleague Naeema Haque just published a blog post reflecting on her experience at this year’s Code for America Summit. From sessions on digital equity to reflections on community-centered design, Naeema’s recap is full of heart and insight.

And finally, we end with a story that lifts us all: Congratulations to Helaina, Henri, and Henniyah Rivers, the first Black triplets in the U.S. to earn the BSA Eagle Scout rank. Their Eagle projects improved Brightwaters Town Hall, and now they’re training to represent Team Jamaica as Olympic alpine skiers. I wish them the best and pray that our society will allow them to develop their talents, build community, and help build a better tomorrow. Their story is a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when youth are empowered to lead and serve.

P.S. Know someone working toward their Gold Award or Eagle Scout rank? If they’re interested in conducting a community mapping project, please have them reach out to our team! We would love for them to leverage our Mapping for Equity materials to support their community service project.

Excelsior,

Noel Hidalgo, Executive Director

Upcoming Events with BetaNYC 🎊

Community Resources 📚

  • Queens Student Reunites with Family After ICE Detention: Joselyn Chipantiza‑Sisalema, a Queens high schooler and asylum seeker, was released after three weeks in ICE custody in Louisiana following a courthouse arrest, reuniting with loved ones amid reports of dire detention conditions.
  • Tactile Mapping for the Visually Impaired: A new Esri book dives into the history and practice of tactile mapping, showing how inclusive cartography can empower people with visual impairments.
  • DHS Flags Protest Tactics as “Violent”: Leaked documents reveal that the Department of Homeland Security is labeling common protest actions—such as banner drops and noise-making—as “violent,” raising civil liberties concerns.
  • Looking Back at New York Newsday: Thirty years after its shutdown, this piece from CJR revisits New York Newsday’s bold journalism and the lessons its demise holds for today’s struggling local news landscape.
  • Speak Out on ConEd Rate Hikes: Want to stop a rate increase? The Department of Public Service’s comment portal lets New Yorkers voice their opposition to ConEd’s latest electricity price hike.
  • Ireland Shuts Down Last Coal Plant: Ireland just turned off its last coal-burning power station, marking a significant milestone in the country’s shift toward cleaner energy.

This Week in NYC Civic Tech 🗽

  • NYC Ferry System Set for a Reboot: The city is reimagining its ferry network to improve service, expand access, and reduce travel times—take a look at the 2025 plan.
  • Trouble Within NYC’s Child Welfare System: A new report from the Columbia Journal of Race and Law calls NYC’s child welfare system “deeply traumatic” for families, highlighting significant gaps in support and accountability. Gothamist has the recap.

This Week in Data, Tech, & Gov News 🏛️

  • The Data Security Gap: Unbreaking highlights that from hospitals to city governments, weak cybersecurity protections are leaving public systems wide open to attacks.
  • Food Stamp Changes Could Cost New York Billions: A new policy change could slash food stamp benefits and put a multi-billion-dollar hole in New York’s economy. (Paywall)
  • Will Trump’s Tax Break Help Nonprofits? Millions of Americans may soon qualify for a charitable tax break—but experts say it’s unclear if nonprofits will benefit.
  • Climate Data at Risk: Scientists warn that key climate data could be stripped from the next National Climate Assessment if political interference continues.
  • ICEblock Promises Privacy, but Raises Questions: This new privacy tool for Android phones promises to shield your data from invasive apps and government surveillance. But critics are questioning its transparency and ties to law enforcement. (Paywall)

Artificial Intelligence 🤖

  • Smart Glasses and Accessible Design: The Verge explores how Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses are partnering with accessibility app Be My Eyes to assist people who are blind or have low vision. (Paywall)
  • AI in Schools Isn’t Just a Tech Issue: This powerful critique from Truthout argues that regulating AI isn’t enough—educators should challenge the logic that led schools to embrace it in the first place.

Election 2025 🗳️

  • A Mayoral Race Marred by Misinformation: Mother Jones reports on right-wing attacks against NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, including false claims about his citizenship.
  • Free Buses in NYC? THE CITY breaks down Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free MTA buses—and what it could cost the city.

Jobs Alert and Announcements 💼

Upcoming Events 📅

Note: All times are listed in EDT

An image with a red border. In the center is a sign that reads "NO KING ANY TIME." The rest of the image is a hand-drawn cityscape graphic with streets, buildings, and cars, suggesting a civic, community-focused design aesthetic.

When we launched this newsletter, our goal was straightforward: to make civic tech in NYC easier to follow, more accessible, and more relatable. Every week since, we’ve shared stories, tools, and events to connect a growing community. If this work has informed or inspired you, please consider supporting it at beta.nyc/support-us-no-king.

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