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
1996 Telecommunications Act
Twitter Bans Trump, Parler Sues Amazon, Congressional Democrats Question Big ISPs
January 11, 2021 — On Friday, Twitter permanently banned President Donald Trump from the platform, citing the “risk of further incitement of violence” should he be allowed to continue to use the service. “After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around th
Social Media
Mark Zuckerberg Announces Donald Trump Ban from Facebook and Instagram
January 7, 2021 — Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced in a statement posted to his personal page Thursday that Donald Trump will be blocked from using both Facebook and Instagram “for at least the next two weeks until the peaceful transition of power is complete.” The company blocked his acco
12.2-12.7 Gigahertz band
FCC Adds Items to January Agenda, US Telecom on Broadband Emergency, Fiber Broadband Board
January 7, 2021 – The Federal Communications Commission’s January 13 meeting will be Commissioner Nathan Simington’s first and Chairman Ajit Pai’s last. As Pai has opted not to place any Section 230 action on the January meeting agenda and Simington’s office has issued a statement saying “no grounds
Congress
With Mike Pence Presiding, Joint Session of Congress Confirms Electoral Votes for President-elect Joe Biden
January 7, 2021 — The joint session of Congress began on Wednesday afternoon, was delayed by a mob incursion incited by President Donald Trump, continued on Wednesday evening and concluded early Thursday morning. After it all, Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election was confirmed. The
Free Speech
UPDATED: Twitter Locks Account of President Donald Trump and Deletes Three Inciting Tweets
Update, 7:07 p.m. ET, January 6, 2021 – Twitter has deleted both of the Tweets identified in the story below. They also deleted a third Tweet, sent soon after 6 p.m. ET, which read: “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciousl
12 GHz
Input to FCC on Emergency Broadband, Ajit Pai’s Final Days at Agency, Accessing Resources, Richard Bates Dies
January 5, 2021 — The Federal Communications Commission’s Wireline Competition Bureau on Monday issued a request for public input on how best to administer the new $3.2 billion Emergency Broadband Benefit Program created by Congress, to help low-income individuals access the Internet. The Consolidat
Section 230
Senate Judiciary Committee Teases, and Then Pulls, Bills Dramatically Narrowing Section 230 Protections
January 2, 2021 — When the Senate reconvenes on Sunday at 11:45 a.m., the body will gavel in for the first session of the 117th Congress. All bills not passed as of Friday, January 1, 2021 – the last day Congress was in session – will die. One of those bills is the Eliminating Abusive […]
Congress
Trump Pushes for Section 230 Revisions, While House Overrides Veto of Defense Bill, Sending It to GOP-led Senate
December 29, 2020 — On Sunday evening, President Donald Trump signed into law a major coronavirus stimulus package, barely avoiding a government shutdown before a Monday night deadline. Trump has railed against the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill and the $1.4 trillion government funding bill si
White House
Trump Follows Through on Threat to Veto Defense Bill, Citing Failure to Repeal Landmark Internet Law
December 23, 2020 — President Donald Trump on Wednesday followed through on his threat to veto the annual defense appropriations bill over the unrelated issue of liability for internet content. In a statement from Trump to the House of Representatives released today, he wrote, “I am returning, witho
EU
Congress Sneaks Trio of Intellectual Property Bills Into Funding Omnibus, Plus Reactions, and Additional Copyright Changes
Congress included a trio of notable and hotly debated intellectual property measures in its multi-trillion-dollar spending and relief package that it passed this week. The intellectual property portion of the legislation includes the Protect Lawful Streaming Act, the Copyright Alternative in Small-C
Affordability
COVID Relief Bill Provides $7 Billion for Broadband Access, Pew on Pandemic, Education Broadband Service Decision
Sunday evening, Congress announced reaching a deal on an emergency coronavirus relief package, which includes $7 billion in funding to support broadband internet access. The bill is expected to pass both the U.S. House and Senate on Monday. The $7 billion for broadband set aside in the stimulus agre
COVID
Bill To Repeal Section 230 Introduced, Controversial FCC Order on Wi-Fi, Advice on Community Broadband
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham on Tuesday introduced legislation to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act if Congress doesn’t figure out how to revamp the legal shield by January 1, 2023. Graham’s bill is the first real effort to translate President Donald Trump’s
