Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee ranking member Richard Blumenthal, Conn., and other subcommittee Democrats used a Tuesday hearing on privacy implications of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica breach to expand what they perceive to be Facebook's violations of its 2011 consent decree with the FTC to include other recently-disclosed actions. Former FTC Chief Technologist Ashkan Soltani confirmed the Democrats' view, saying he believed Facebook violated the agreement. Blumenthal, Senate Consumer Protection Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and others drilled down on potential legislative solutions to address Facebook-Cambridge Analytica's privacy implications.

Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee ranking member Richard Blumenthal, Conn., and other subcommittee Democrats used a Tuesday hearing on privacy implications of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica breach to expand what they perceive to be Facebook's violations of its 2011 consent decree with the FTC to include other recently-disclosed actions. Former FTC Chief Technologist Ashkan Soltani confirmed the Democrats' view, saying he believed Facebook violated the agreement. Blumenthal, Senate Consumer Protection Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and others drilled down on potential legislative solutions to address Facebook-Cambridge Analytica's privacy implications.

The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a new draft guidance document to help animal food facilities comply with supply chain program requirements of animal food preventive controls rules that may in some cases apply to importers. Under the supply chain provisions, similar to requirements for human food facilities, facilities that manufacture or process ingredients from outside suppliers must use approved suppliers and appropriate supplier verification activities, including on-site audits and record reviews of their suppliers.

Senate Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and ranking member Chris Coons, D-Del., are demanding Amazon act on reports a Portland, Oregon, couple discovered Alexa software in their Amazon Echo device turned on and “was able to capture their private conversation” without permission and send it to a contact “known to the device.” Amazon “has stated that the company is evaluating options to make this series of events less likely to occur,” but “we are concerned that the device in this instance performed precisely how it was designed,” the senators wrote last week to CEO Jeff Bezos: “Without prompt and meaningful action, we expect that additional” similar incidents “will happen again.” Increasing popularity of “in-home, internet-connected devices and voice-activated technologies raises questions about the types of data they collect, store, and share, and the degree to which consumers control their personal information,” the senators said: Amazon and other companies “that offer services through these devices must address these concerns by prioritizing consumer privacy and protecting sensitive personal information.” Monday, Amazon didn’t comment. Ex-Cambridge Analytica contractor Aleksandr Kogan and others are to testify at a Tuesday Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing on privacy implications of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica breach (see 1806130057 and 1806140054).

Senate Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and ranking member Chris Coons, D-Del., are demanding Amazon act on reports a Portland, Oregon, couple discovered Alexa software in their Amazon Echo device turned on and “was able to capture their private conversation” without permission and send it to a contact “known to the device.” Amazon “has stated that the company is evaluating options to make this series of events less likely to occur,” but “we are concerned that the device in this instance performed precisely how it was designed,” the senators wrote last week to CEO Jeff Bezos: “Without prompt and meaningful action, we expect that additional” similar incidents “will happen again.” Increasing popularity of “in-home, internet-connected devices and voice-activated technologies raises questions about the types of data they collect, store, and share, and the degree to which consumers control their personal information,” the senators said: Amazon and other companies “that offer services through these devices must address these concerns by prioritizing consumer privacy and protecting sensitive personal information.” Monday, Amazon didn’t comment. Ex-Cambridge Analytica contractor Aleksandr Kogan and others are to testify at a Tuesday Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing on privacy implications of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica breach (see 1806130057 and 1806140054).

Senate Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., and ranking member Chris Coons, D-Del., are demanding Amazon act on reports a Portland, Oregon, couple discovered Alexa software in their Amazon Echo device turned on and “was able to capture their private conversation” without permission and send it to a contact “known to the device.” Amazon “has stated that the company is evaluating options to make this series of events less likely to occur,” but “we are concerned that the device in this instance performed precisely how it was designed,” the senators wrote last week to CEO Jeff Bezos: “Without prompt and meaningful action, we expect that additional” similar incidents “will happen again.” Increasing popularity of “in-home, internet-connected devices and voice-activated technologies raises questions about the types of data they collect, store, and share, and the degree to which consumers control their personal information,” the senators said: Amazon and other companies “that offer services through these devices must address these concerns by prioritizing consumer privacy and protecting sensitive personal information.” Monday, Amazon didn’t comment. Ex-Cambridge Analytica contractor Aleksandr Kogan and others are to testify at a Tuesday Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing on privacy implications of the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica breach (see 1806130057 and 1806140054).

The FCC should relax radio subcap rules, entirely removing limits on owning AM stations and relaxing limits on FM stations, said NAB in a letter to Media Bureau Chief Michelle Carey Friday. The proposal would allow licensees in the top 75 markets to own up to eight FM stations instead of the current five, and do away with FM subcaps in other markets. AM subcaps would be eliminated nationwide, and licensees in the top 75 markets could increase their limit to 10 FM stations by acting as incubators for new entrant broadcasters. Though some broadcast officials called this a compromise, National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters President Jim Winston said it would be “a drastic relaxation” of ownership rules that would hurt diversity and kill the AM band. The FCC is expected to address subcaps when it tackles the 2018 quadrennial review later this year.

USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter made his case for congressional internet legislation to protect data privacy and promote openness and innovation across all sectors. "There is only one internet and it deserves a national policy framework," he said Wednesday at The Media Institute, tracking prepared remarks, with tweaks. A national framework is one of five internet "pillars" along with universal connectivity, consistent safeguards, cybersecurity collaboration and a regulatory agency update, he said.

State net neutrality actions show a strong public rebuke of the FCC December order that took effect Monday (see 1806110054), consumer advocates said on a National Regulatory Research Institute (NRRI) webinar Wednesday. But a Montana commissioner and broadband industry officials dismissed efforts as politically driven and probably not effective. A Rhode Island net neutrality bill cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday and lawmakers could pass restrictions on state ISP contracts by the end of next week, said sponsor state Sen. Louis DiPalma (D) in an interview. California lawmakers plan more hearings next week.

USTelecom CEO Jonathan Spalter made his case for congressional internet legislation to protect data privacy and promote openness and innovation across all sectors. "There is only one internet and it deserves a national policy framework," he said Wednesday at The Media Institute, tracking prepared remarks, with tweaks. A national framework is one of five internet "pillars" along with universal connectivity, consistent safeguards, cybersecurity collaboration and a regulatory agency update, he said.