FCC
Universal Service Fund Contribution Dip, Letter to Appoint Fifth FCC Commish, Texas Broadband Bill
The USF sees dip in contribution, Biden is urged to appoint fifth FCC commish, Texas broadband office can avoid overbuilding.
Infrastructure
Senators Reintroduce Bipartisan Digital Equity Act
Sen. Murray re-introduces bi-partisan that would provide grants to states pushing for digital equity.
Justice
New Antitrust Bills, NY’s $15 Broadband Blocked, Trump’s Subpoena to Apple
Congress introduces 5 antitrust bills, a federal judges blocks New York’s $15 internet, and Trump secretly subpoenaed Apple in 2018.
Explainers
Explainer: With Florida Social Media Law, Section 230 Now Positioned In Legal Spotlight
As Florida’s governor signs new social media law, Section 230 is on a collision course with reform and the law.
Joe Biden
Government’s Reactive Nature Hobbling Tech Regulation, Expert Says
Congress may need another big tech breach to move earnestly on regulation, says consultant.
FTC
National Plan Required For Consumer Privacy, Congresswoman says
April 1, 2021 — A Congresswoman from Washington State, who introduced federal legislation that would be the first national consumer privacy law if adopted, says the federal government is being outpaced by some states that are implementing their own consumer privacy legislation. “There is a significa
FSF
Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr Optimistic About Finding Common Ground at Agency
March 24, 2021 — Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr said the regulator has since 2017 seen what he wanted: Broadband speed increases and lower prices. “The approach we adopted in 2017 is working,” he said at the Free State Foundation’s 13th annual telecom policy conference on Tuesday.
T-Mobile Wins on Infrastructure, Lina Khan FTC Nomination, Open Source Collaboration
March 23, 2021 — A federal judge ruled Friday that the San Francisco city leader unlawfully denied T-Mobile permits to upgrade infrastructure during the pandemic. The ruling was made under the 2012 Spectrum Act, which prevents State or local government from denying improvements and upgrades to exist
COVID
Senate Version of Stimulus Bill Has $2 Billion For Cybersecurity, Telecom Transparency, SpaceX Pilot
March 9, 2021 – The Senate’s approved version of the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill includes nearly $2 billion for cybersecurity and technology modernization programs. Of the $2 billion, half will go toward the Technology Modernization Fund, intended to help the federal government launch new cyber and
FSF
Serious Conversation Needed on Net Neutrality, Says New FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington
February 16, 2021 – Federal Communications Commissioner Nathan Simington said Tuesday that serious conversations need to be had about reforming net neutrality rules. Simington sits on a very different-looking FCC, which includes net neutrality advocates including Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworce
FCC
Former FCC Commissioners Reflect on Changes Since 1996 Telecommunications Act
February 9, 2021 – As 2021 marks the 25-yearanniversary of the Telecommunications Act, former Federal Communications Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Harold Furchtgott-Roth reminisced Monday on their time in Congress as staff members when the law was passed. The Hudson Institute hosted the conversati
Section 230
Tread Carefully if Section 230 is to Be Changed, Experts Say at INCOMPAS Event
February 8, 2021—Amending too rashly or quickly the internet intermediary liability provision of the Telecommunications Act will harm smaller companies and new entrants but won’t have the intended impact on larger players, according to experts. Former President Donald Trump has often complained abou
Congress
Republicans Leaders in a ‘Tight Spot’ After Insurrection Led By Trump, Say Brookings Panelists
Moderate Republicans fear retaliation if they do not support Trump supporters.
CTA
Big Tech Companies Talk the Talk on Privacy at CES 2021: Will They Walk the Walk?
January 12, 2021 – Privacy is of paramount importance as the world accelerates its adoption of new technology during a tumultuous pandemic, big tech companies said during a panel at the Consumer Technology Association’s CES 2021. Technology has become increasingly more important in our lives, said A
Social Media
Trump Blasts Big Tech and Takes No Responsibility For Inciting Deadly U.S. Capitol Insurrection
January 12, 2021 — President Donald Trump on Tuesday reacted to the content moderation practices that digital platforms exercised since the events of January 6 – including banning him from Twitter — before departing Andrews Joint Base in Prince George’s County, Maryland, onboard Air Force One. The P
CES
Congress Criticizes Big Tech, CES 2021’s Consumer Engagement Playbook, Internet Association’s New CEO
January 12, 2021 – In the wake of a riot at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump on January 6, Congress is turning their scrutinizing gaze toward big tech companies like Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon. Members of Congress on both sides of the political aisle — although for differe
