The House Communications Subcommittee appears likely to press forward with a markup of the Save the Internet Act net neutrality bill (HR-1644) despite a divide among members during a Tuesday hearing. HR-1644 and Senate companion S-682, filed last week, would add a new title to the Communications Act that says the FCC order rescinding its 2015 rules “shall have no force or effect.” The bill would retroactively restore reclassification of broadband as a Communications Act Title II service (see 1903060077).

Internet companies urged flexible reading of California’s privacy law. The California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) will be enforced from Jan. 1, though Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) has until July 1, 2021, to adopt rules and guidance interpreting CCPA. “It would be unfortunate if the lack of clarity or conflicts in the statute were amplified in the implementing regulations,” the Internet Association commented. Privacy advocates urged the AG to make it easy for consumers to take advantage of CCPA rights, while some specialized industries sought exemptions.

John Oliver Sunday warned viewers of HBO’s Last Week Tonight that the FCC could soon weaken robocalling protections, by tweaking Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules. Oliver targeted the FCC in 2015 and 2017 over net neutrality rules. This time, Oliver said the FCC hasn’t done enough to curb robocalls and may soon weaken its rules. Experts said action mightn't happen soon.

Internet companies urged flexible reading of California’s privacy law. The California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA) will be enforced from Jan. 1, though Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) has until July 1, 2021, to adopt rules and guidance interpreting CCPA. “It would be unfortunate if the lack of clarity or conflicts in the statute were amplified in the implementing regulations,” the Internet Association commented. Privacy advocates urged the AG to make it easy for consumers to take advantage of CCPA rights, while some specialized industries sought exemptions.

John Oliver Sunday warned viewers of HBO’s Last Week Tonight that the FCC could soon weaken robocalling protections, by tweaking Telephone Consumer Protection Act rules. Oliver targeted the FCC in 2015 and 2017 over net neutrality rules. This time, Oliver said the FCC hasn’t done enough to curb robocalls and may soon weaken its rules. Experts said action mightn't happen soon.

Top House Commerce Committee Democrats raised concerns Thursday that the FCC may be violating the Federal Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, Administrative Procedure Act and federal agencies' record-keeping rules. House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai seeking information by April 4 on the agency's "retention and disposition of electronic communications, including email, text messages, chat and instant messages and social media" messages. “Transparency, openness, and honesty are all bedrock principles of a functioning government responsive to its people," the lawmakers wrote. House Commerce "seeks to ensure the agencies under its jurisdiction uphold these principles." The lawmakers did not target other agencies under their jurisdiction. The National Archives and Records Administration "has yet to approve the FCC’s approach to records management," so "we are concerned that the FCC may not be managing its electronic records in accordance with federal law and guidance, potentially thwarting the public from an understanding of the FCC’s decision-making process and how it conducts its business.” The FCC didn't comment.

Top House Commerce Committee Democrats raised concerns Thursday that the FCC may be violating the Federal Records Act, Freedom of Information Act, Administrative Procedure Act and federal agencies' record-keeping rules. House Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., wrote FCC Chairman Ajit Pai seeking information by April 4 on the agency's "retention and disposition of electronic communications, including email, text messages, chat and instant messages and social media" messages. “Transparency, openness, and honesty are all bedrock principles of a functioning government responsive to its people," the lawmakers wrote. House Commerce "seeks to ensure the agencies under its jurisdiction uphold these principles." The lawmakers did not target other agencies under their jurisdiction. The National Archives and Records Administration "has yet to approve the FCC’s approach to records management," so "we are concerned that the FCC may not be managing its electronic records in accordance with federal law and guidance, potentially thwarting the public from an understanding of the FCC’s decision-making process and how it conducts its business.” The FCC didn't comment.

Pointing to no material facts in question and all the law going against VidAngel, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte of Los Angeles Wednesday granted movie studios' summary judgment motion against the streaming service. In a docket 16-cv-04109 order (in Pacer), Birotte said VidAngel hasn't raised any triable issue of material fact or about its "last-ditch argument" that its service might be social criticism. He said VidAngel can't avoid copyright and Digital Millennium Copyright Act legal questions that the District Court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals resolved in previously granting the studios preliminary injunction (see 1708240017). VidAngel outside counsel didn't comment Thursday.

Pointing to no material facts in question and all the law going against VidAngel, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte of Los Angeles Wednesday granted movie studios' summary judgment motion against the streaming service. In a docket 16-cv-04109 order (in Pacer), Birotte said VidAngel hasn't raised any triable issue of material fact or about its "last-ditch argument" that its service might be social criticism. He said VidAngel can't avoid copyright and Digital Millennium Copyright Act legal questions that the District Court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals resolved in previously granting the studios preliminary injunction (see 1708240017). VidAngel outside counsel didn't comment Thursday.

Pointing to no material facts in question and all the law going against VidAngel, U.S. District Judge Andre Birotte of Los Angeles Wednesday granted movie studios' summary judgment motion against the streaming service. In a docket 16-cv-04109 order (in Pacer), Birotte said VidAngel hasn't raised any triable issue of material fact or about its "last-ditch argument" that its service might be social criticism. He said VidAngel can't avoid copyright and Digital Millennium Copyright Act legal questions that the District Court and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals resolved in previously granting the studios preliminary injunction (see 1708240017). VidAngel outside counsel didn't comment Thursday.