FTC
Former Officials: FTC ‘Substantially Diminished’ Under Current Leadership
The FTC’s ability to perform its law enforcement, regulatory and advocacy mission has significantly weakened, former officials said.
Data Center
Consumers Are ‘Subsidizing the Cost of Data Centers’: Senate Dems
Lawmakers press Trump administration on link between Big Tech’s AI buildout and higher household energy bills.
AI
Watchdog Group Public Citizen Demands OpenAI Withdraw AI Video App Sora Over Deepfake Dangers
OpenAI has faced backlash from public figures and has made some changes, but critics say these responses are insufficient and reactive.
Free Speech
Senate Commerce Schedules FCC Oversight Hearing
Session follows bipartisan concern over Chairman Brendan Carr’s perceived threats toward broadcast licensees.
Congress
Record Shutdown Leaves Communications Agencies Strained Despite Senate Action
The shutdown slowed down broadband rollout, telecom licensing, merger activity.
Public Safety
First Responders Back FirstNet Reauthorization as 2027 Sunset Nears
Survey finds 93% of first responders support extending the First Responder Network Authority.
SEC
Senators Introduce Bill Requiring Transparency on AI Job Losses
The legislation would create new reporting rules to track automation’s impact.
Expert Opinion
Bill Maguire: Faster Disaster Recovery Depends on Smart Communications Policy
Local governments must be empowered in communications infrastructure policy to ensure faster disaster recovery.
Social Media
China Says it Will Work with U.S. to Resolve Issues Related to TikTok
Trump and Xi Jinping met but did not finalize an expected deal on TikTok's ownership, leaving the app's fate in the U.S. uncertain.
Congress
California State Senator Eyes Pelosi’s House Seat
Scott Wiener brings AI and broadband policy credentials into high-stakes San Francisco race.
Independent Agencies
Supreme Court to Test Trump’s Power Over the ‘Fourth Branch’
Case could upend 90 years of agency independence.
Briefs
Chamber Sues to Block $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
The business lobby says rule exceeds Immigration and Nationality Act
MIT
Industry Experts Debate Need for Gigabit Internet Speeds as Deployment Accelerates
Industry experts debate whether gigabit internet deployment has outpaced actual consumer demand.
Free Speech
Senators Clash Over Big Tech ‘Jawboning’ and FCC Power
At hearing, both parties said they backed free speech–but differed on its biggest threat
BEAD
Broadband Spared as Ernst Urges $2 Trillion Cuts
Free Speech
Carr Agrees to Testify Before Senate Panel on His Apparent Threats to Kimmel Show
Democrats and Republicans want answers over FCC threats to TV licenses over Kimmel’s suspension.
