A November ballot vote on California consumer privacy might be inevitable despite lukewarm reception from groups that typically back such measures. Industry hasn’t formally opposed the proposed California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) and legislative intervention is no sure thing, we were told last week. “That there is no campaign against this initiative” by businesses is “almost as telling” as “no privacy group coming out to support it,” said Corbin and Kaiser lobbying firm CEO Samantha Corbin.

A November ballot vote on California consumer privacy might be inevitable despite lukewarm reception from groups that typically back such measures. Industry hasn’t formally opposed the proposed California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) and legislative intervention is no sure thing, we were told last week. “That there is no campaign against this initiative” by businesses is “almost as telling” as “no privacy group coming out to support it,” said Corbin and Kaiser lobbying firm CEO Samantha Corbin.

Space experts anticipate many of the orbital debris regulatory proposals the FCC moved from April's order to an accompanying Further NPRM (see 2004230040) will be in a future second order. They spoke in interviews this week. Enforcement of the initial order likely wouldn't be until fall, so a draft order before next winter seems unlikely, said Satellite Industry Association Senior Director-Policy Therese Jones.

Chief Justice John Roberts said the Telephone Consumer Protection Act is a popular law the Supreme Court doesn’t want to undermine, as it heard argument in a case Wednesday with broad implications for the statute (see 2001130044). Other justices said similar, and experts don't expect the entire regime to be overturned. The court heard the case via teleconference, with justices calling in remotely because of COVID-19. Barr v. American Association of Political Consultants involves an AAPC challenge of a 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling, which declared a 2015 government debt collection exemption unconstitutional and severed the provision from the remainder of the TCPA.

Broadcasters, public safety groups and wireless mic makers raised concerns about proposals to allow TV white spaces (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas, in comments on an FCC NPRM. Commissioners approved the notice 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). CTA, public interest groups and Microsoft urged the FCC to approve the proposal. Initial comments were due Monday in docket 20-36.

Broadcasters, public safety groups and wireless mic makers raised concerns about proposals to allow TV white spaces (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas, in comments on an FCC NPRM. Commissioners approved the notice 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). CTA, public interest groups and Microsoft urged the FCC to approve the proposal. Initial comments were due Monday in docket 20-36.

Wiley’s Joshua Turner said a case argued in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in February on FCC wireless infrastructure orders will be easy for judges to decide in favor of the FCC, in an FCBA discussion Tuesday. Best Best’s Joe Van Eaton, who argued the case on behalf of Portland, Oregon, and other cities, expects the court to reject the FCC’s approach. The FCC declined to send a speaker. Judges heard the case in February (see 2002100054) and Turner represented industry there.

The National Rural Education Association urged the FCC to act on rules allowing TV white space (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas. Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). “Many of our rural students are outside the reach of existing broadband networks, but better TVWS spaces rules could change that,” the group said in a filing posted Monday in docket 20-36. The American Society for Health Care Engineering of the American Hospital Association raised concerns, citing wireless medical telemetry service use of TV channel 37. “Allowing higher power for unlicensed White Space operations … could cause potential interference to licensed operations on co-channel or adjacent channel frequencies,” the group said. Comments were due Monday.

At least four Supreme Court justices questioned why Booking.com can’t trademark its domain as companies do with toll-free phone numbers, in oral argument Monday. Four other justices raised concerns about enabling monopoly power by granting such trademarks, which might preclude rivals like ebooking.com from using "booking" in marketing materials.

The National Rural Education Association urged the FCC to act on rules allowing TV white space (TVWS) devices to operate with higher power in less-congested areas. Commissioners approved an NPRM 5-0 in February (see 2002280055). “Many of our rural students are outside the reach of existing broadband networks, but better TVWS spaces rules could change that,” the group said in a filing posted Monday in docket 20-36. The American Society for Health Care Engineering of the American Hospital Association raised concerns, citing wireless medical telemetry service use of TV channel 37. “Allowing higher power for unlicensed White Space operations … could cause potential interference to licensed operations on co-channel or adjacent channel frequencies,” the group said. Comments were due Monday.