Senate

Gigi Sohn Nomination for FCC Advances Out of Commerce Committee on Party Lines

Nomination of Alvaro Bedoya to the FTC can also advance to the floor following a party-line vote.

Privacy

Senator Markey Pleased with Pressure on Companies to Protect Children Online

Senator Edward Markey has been a proponent of increasing the age group in child privacy laws for years.

X (Twitter)

TikTok Harms Investigated, Big Tech Actions Against Russian Media, Senate Passes Cyber Alert Bill

Attorneys general from across the nation will investigate TikTok to determine if the platform is harmful to minors.

Infrastructure

CostQuest to Supply FCC Broadband Map After Watchdog Denies Contract Appeal

The Government Accountability Office rejected LightBox’s bid to protest CostQuest’s award to build the map.

BIP

NTIA Broadband Programs Announce Grants to Tackle Last-Mile Infrastructure

Recent policy talks have pushed for more focus on middle-mile with future funding from infrastructure bill money.

Expert Opinion

Justin Reilly: Rising Ransomware Threats on Schools Require Better Approach to Cybersecurity

Ransomeware attacks are a costly lesson for educators.

COVID

Economic Opportunity for Broadband with Rural Electric Co-ops

Co-ops have the chance to support education, healthcare and work-from-home coming out of the coronavirus pandemic.

5G Connection

State of the Union, 5G Connections Continue to Rise, Georgia and America Pledge Telecom Collaboration

President Joe Biden commented on closing the digital divide in his first State of the Union address.

Energy and Commerce

Committee Hears Search Engine Maintains Profit While Limiting Targeted Advertising

DuckDuckGo argued that its contextual ads are effective and not intrusive.

FCC

Targeting African America Communities Will Close Digital Divide, Chicago Mayor Says

The mayor said providing affordable broadband access in the city’s disconnected neighborhoods will bridge the digital divide.

FCC

Federal Communications Commissioner Geoffrey Starks Presses Need for More Action on E-Waste

FCC commissioner Geoffrey Starks encourages manufacturers to help reduce emissions to protect the planet.

FCBA

Preventing Cyber Attacks Lies With Security Hygiene and Multi-factor Authentication, Experts Say

Panelists said everyone who is connected should be prepared.

Broadband Mapping and Data

NTIA Head Reiterates Importance of Broadband Maps for Fund Disbursal

Alan Davidson applauded the FCC’s effort in getting better broadband maps.

Alan Davidson

Russia-backed RT Gets Blocked, NTIA Adds to Ranks, Open Access in California

Kremlin-backed media network RT has been blocked by broadcasters and big technology companies.

Infrastructure

American Library Association Concerned With Burdensome Infrastructure Bill Reporting Requirements

The organization is concerned that access to federal money will come with burdensome reporting.

NTCA

Starlink Lights Up Ukraine, Russians Offered Crypto to Surrender, Broadband Playbook Released

Amid internet blackouts in Ukraine, Starlink is providing internet to keep Ukrainians connected during the invasion.