The Supreme Court narrowly focused on questions of administrative law rather than diversity, judicial deference or legal jurisdiction during Tuesday’s oral argument for FCC and NAB appeals of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ Prometheus IV decision. Broadcast and public interest attorneys were split about what that might portend.
Communications Decency Act Section 230 becoming a big issue was a "remarkable turn of events," FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said during an FCBA virtual event Thursday: "I still can't believe that a $740 billion defense bill got vetoed over a telecom issue." FCBA bid farewell to Pai as FCC chairman, with predecessors welcoming him to life post-commission, including Newton Minow, Richard Wiley and Julius Genachowski. Another former chairman, NCTA CEO Michael Powell, said Pai joins the "Former Chairman Hall of Lame," adding he will have to "turn in that huge Reese's mug" that Pai drinks from during monthly commissioners' meetings. Other commissioners, past and present, thanked Pai for his efforts to expand access to 5G and spectrum, among other things. Pai acknowledged there's a long line of potential successors (see 2012310023) and offered an additional suggestion: the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, Gritty. Pai cracked jokes, as FCC chiefs would do in a non-pandemic year at FCBA's annual in-person chairman's dinner. He quipped that FCBA wanted to set up the event at the Washington Hilton but instead booked it at Washington Hilton Total Landscaping. Pai joked his separation due to working from home from Commissioner Brendan Carr was "too much to bear." And in a nod to campaign ads, Pai said "at this point, I think it is only appropriate to acknowledge and to congratulate the winner of the 2020 election -- American broadcasters." He said the commission has remained busy and noted the C-band auction passed $80 billion (see 2101070053). Pai ended by raising his Reese's mug, saying there will be a "big mug to fill" (see 2011300032) and thanking staff: "We made it, and we made it together."
Communications Decency Act Section 230 becoming a big issue was a "remarkable turn of events," FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said during an FCBA virtual event Thursday: "I still can't believe that a $740 billion defense bill got vetoed over a telecom issue." FCBA bid farewell to Pai as FCC chairman, with predecessors welcoming him to life post-commission, including Newton Minow, Richard Wiley and Julius Genachowski. Another former chairman, NCTA CEO Michael Powell, said Pai joins the "Former Chairman Hall of Lame," adding he will have to "turn in that huge Reese's mug" that Pai drinks from during monthly commissioners' meetings. Other commissioners, past and present, thanked Pai for his efforts to expand access to 5G and spectrum, among other things. Pai acknowledged there's a long line of potential successors (see 2012310023) and offered an additional suggestion: the Philadelphia Flyers mascot, Gritty. Pai cracked jokes, as FCC chiefs would do in a non-pandemic year at FCBA's annual in-person chairman's dinner. He quipped that FCBA wanted to set up the event at the Washington Hilton but instead booked it at Washington Hilton Total Landscaping. Pai joked his separation due to working from home from Commissioner Brendan Carr was "too much to bear." And in a nod to campaign ads, Pai said "at this point, I think it is only appropriate to acknowledge and to congratulate the winner of the 2020 election -- American broadcasters." He said the commission has remained busy and noted the C-band auction passed $80 billion (see 2101070053). Pai ended by raising his Reese's mug, saying there will be a "big mug to fill" (see 2011300032) and thanking staff: "We made it, and we made it together."
Congress and the incoming administration should strengthen and maintain a range of export controls and sanctions to prevent China from acquiring sensitive U.S. technologies and items used for repression, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China said in its 2020 annual report. The report and an executive summary, issued Jan. 14, urge the U.S. to continue to dedicate resources to restrict exports to China in order to prevent human rights violations.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative won't impose Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Vietnam imports in the remaining days of the Trump administration for Hanoi’s allegedly improper devaluation of the dong against the dollar, said the agency Friday. USTR did find Vietnam’s practices “actionable” under Section 301 and "will continue to evaluate all available options,” it said.
Washington state’s attorney general office said it's “encouraged” by changes to a privacy bill that failed in two previous years due to enforcement and other questions (see 2003120035). The AG office recommends adding a sunset date to the right to cure in SB-5062, and seeks a private right of action, said AG office Legislative Director Yasmin Trudeau at a Senate Environment, Energy and Technology virtual hearing Thursday. Consumer advocates raised concerns that the bill, with opt-out rather than opt-in protections, puts too much onus on the consumer to exercise their rights compared with companies. It provides an “illusion of privacy protections,” with too many exemptions and not enough teeth, said American Civil Liberties Union-Washington Technology and Liberty Project Manager Jennifer Lee: That “corporate-centric approach” failed in previous sessions. Including a private right of action needn’t lead to a flood of complaints if appropriately limited, said Washington State Association for Justice Government Affairs Director Larry Shannon. The bill fails to cover Google and Facebook, while preempting local governments from making stronger protections, said Consumer Federation of America Director-Consumer Protection and Privacy Susan Grant. SB-5062 builds on the General Data Protection Regulation and California Privacy Right Act, said Microsoft Senior Director-Public Policy Ryan Harkins. Business groups including the Washington Technology Industry Association and Washington Retail Association also supported the bill. The bill would exempt nonprofits for five years, but the American Heart Association thinks it should never apply, said Senior Attorney Kristen Knauf. Millions of dollars in compliance costs mean that much less funding for cardiovascular research, she warned. Sponsor Sen. Reuven Carlyle (D) said he worked hard to incorporate suggestions: “This has been a long two-and-a-half years on this issue.” The committee plans to meet again Jan. 21 on SB-5062.
Washington state’s attorney general office said it's “encouraged” by changes to a privacy bill that failed in two previous years due to enforcement and other questions (see 2003120035). The AG office recommends adding a sunset date to the right to cure in SB-5062, and seeks a private right of action, said AG office Legislative Director Yasmin Trudeau at a Senate Environment, Energy and Technology virtual hearing Thursday. Consumer advocates raised concerns that the bill, with opt-out rather than opt-in protections, puts too much onus on the consumer to exercise their rights compared with companies. It provides an “illusion of privacy protections,” with too many exemptions and not enough teeth, said American Civil Liberties Union-Washington Technology and Liberty Project Manager Jennifer Lee: That “corporate-centric approach” failed in previous sessions. Including a private right of action needn’t lead to a flood of complaints if appropriately limited, said Washington State Association for Justice Government Affairs Director Larry Shannon. The bill fails to cover Google and Facebook, while preempting local governments from making stronger protections, said Consumer Federation of America Director-Consumer Protection and Privacy Susan Grant. SB-5062 builds on the General Data Protection Regulation and California Privacy Right Act, said Microsoft Senior Director-Public Policy Ryan Harkins. Business groups including the Washington Technology Industry Association and Washington Retail Association also supported the bill. The bill would exempt nonprofits for five years, but the American Heart Association thinks it should never apply, said Senior Attorney Kristen Knauf. Millions of dollars in compliance costs mean that much less funding for cardiovascular research, she warned. Sponsor Sen. Reuven Carlyle (D) said he worked hard to incorporate suggestions: “This has been a long two-and-a-half years on this issue.” The committee plans to meet again Jan. 21 on SB-5062.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will not impose Trade Act Section 301 tariffs on Vietnam imports in the remaining days of the Trump administration for Hanoi’s allegedly improper devaluation of the dong against the dollar, though it did find Vietnam’s practices “actionable” under the statute, and “will continue to evaluate all available options,” the agency said Jan. 15. The decision to forgo tariffs was sure to bring welcome relief to the hundreds of companies, trade associations and business groups that argued vehemently against them in recent weeks, including in a Dec. 29 virtual hearing (see 2012290036).
Congress will revisit the possibility of a federal moratorium on face-scanning technology in the upcoming session, House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., told us. Industry representatives expect the Biden administration to push for tighter face-scanning regulation. Reps from CTA, BSA|The Software Alliance and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) said President Donald Trump’s most important artificial intelligence contribution will be his regulatory guidance to agencies.
Congress will revisit the possibility of a federal moratorium on face-scanning technology in the upcoming session, House Oversight Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., told us. Industry representatives expect the Biden administration to push for tighter face-scanning regulation. Reps from CTA, BSA|The Software Alliance and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) said President Donald Trump’s most important artificial intelligence contribution will be his regulatory guidance to agencies.