Republican and Democratic senators flagged possible harms Wednesday that could arise from AT&T’s proposed buy of Time Warner. Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lee, R-Utah, immediately sought to vet AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson’s predictions of lower prices, but also questioned deal opponent Gene Kimmelman, president of Public Knowledge. The $108.7 billion deal was announced in October and the nearly three-hour hearing was the first on its merits.

Republican and Democratic senators flagged possible harms Wednesday that could arise from AT&T’s proposed buy of Time Warner. Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lee, R-Utah, immediately sought to vet AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson’s predictions of lower prices, but also questioned deal opponent Gene Kimmelman, president of Public Knowledge. The $108.7 billion deal was announced in October and the nearly three-hour hearing was the first on its merits.

The incoming Trump administration could mean more funding and a greater enforcement focus for CBP, but the prospect of stricter trade enforcement could complicate day-to-day operations, analysts said in recent interviews. The presidential transition will cost the trade community mainly in terms of immediate uncertainty within industry and between the U.S. and its trading partners, as well as any regulatory “adjustments” that CBP might make, said David Aguilar, former CBP acting commissioner and current principal at Global Security and Innovative Strategies. But CBP’s trade funding and basic structures like the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee will likely remain intact, he said.

President-elect Donald Trump should welcome a cybersecurity report ordered by President Barack Obama, said one of the report’s authors Monday. The Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity released recommendations to the White House on actions the private and public sectors can take over the next decade to improve cyber defenses and raise awareness (see 1612020050). Trump hasn't been briefed on the report, but it was nonpartisan and written for any new president, the commission’s Executive Director Kiersten Todt said at a New America event. To achieve the report’s aims, Todt and state officials urged the new administration to embrace collaboration among federal, state and local governments.

President-elect Donald Trump should welcome a cybersecurity report ordered by President Barack Obama, said one of the report’s authors Monday. The Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity released recommendations to the White House on actions the private and public sectors can take over the next decade to improve cyber defenses and raise awareness (see 1612020050). Trump hasn't been briefed on the report, but it was nonpartisan and written for any new president, the commission’s Executive Director Kiersten Todt said at a New America event. To achieve the report’s aims, Todt and state officials urged the new administration to embrace collaboration among federal, state and local governments.

Makers of connected "smart" toys should provide clear privacy notices, give "meaningful" ways for parents to consent to collection and use of their children's data, and protect that information as a way to build trust with parents, said a Future of Privacy Forum and Family Online Safety Institute paper Thursday. Building on a June event, FPF and FOSI analyzed privacy and security implications of such toys -- like the speech-activated Dino and Hello Barbie Dream House or the wearable bracelet Pokemon Go Plus -- which can connect to the internet and, therefore, collect, process and share kids' data. "As connected toys become more popular, it is important for toymakers to be transparent about their data practices and to mitigate security risks," said FPF CEO Jules Polonetsky in a news release. "Federal law provides key safeguards, but more can be done to build trust.” The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act may apply to such devices, but the organizations say companies "should go beyond COPPA's strictures by building privacy into the design and packaging of their toys." Even non-connected toys that use Bluetooth could raise privacy concerns by transmitting hardware-specific data that can be tracked by sensors in a store or shopping area, the paper said. Manufacturers should consider technical or policy measures to ensure such toys can be used in public spaces while providing appropriate privacy options, it added.

Makers of connected "smart" toys should provide clear privacy notices, give "meaningful" ways for parents to consent to collection and use of their children's data, and protect that information as a way to build trust with parents, said a Future of Privacy Forum and Family Online Safety Institute paper Thursday. Building on a June event, FPF and FOSI analyzed privacy and security implications of such toys -- like the speech-activated Dino and Hello Barbie Dream House or the wearable bracelet Pokemon Go Plus -- which can connect to the internet and, therefore, collect, process and share kids' data. "As connected toys become more popular, it is important for toymakers to be transparent about their data practices and to mitigate security risks," said FPF CEO Jules Polonetsky in a news release. "Federal law provides key safeguards, but more can be done to build trust.” The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act may apply to such devices, but the organizations say companies "should go beyond COPPA's strictures by building privacy into the design and packaging of their toys." Even non-connected toys that use Bluetooth could raise privacy concerns by transmitting hardware-specific data that can be tracked by sensors in a store or shopping area, the paper said. Manufacturers should consider technical or policy measures to ensure such toys can be used in public spaces while providing appropriate privacy options, it added.

Legislation that would make it illegal to use computer software to buy large numbers of tickets for entertainment events and then resell them to the public at markedly higher prices passed the Senate by unanimous consent Thursday night. "This bill helps level the playing field for consumers and takes aim at artificially inflated prices," said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., in a news release. He introduced the bipartisan Better Online Ticket Sales Act (S-3183) and held a consumer protection subcommittee hearing about the bill, which cleared the Senate Commerce Committee in September (see 1609210040). "Ticket bots have affected people across the country, and the need to end this growing practice is reflected in the widespread support in the Senate. I hope to see the House act quickly to get this bill to the president’s desk," he said. The House passed similar, but not identical, legislation (HR-5104) in September (see 1609120073). Both bills deem that use of such software is an unfair and deceptive practice enforceable by the FTC. On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill into law that expands the definition of ticket purchasing software, increases penalties for users of ticket bots and those who resells tickets that they know were obtained via such software and establishes a class A misdemeanor for using such software.

Legislation that would make it illegal to use computer software to buy large numbers of tickets for entertainment events and then resell them to the public at markedly higher prices passed the Senate by unanimous consent Thursday night. "This bill helps level the playing field for consumers and takes aim at artificially inflated prices," said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., in a news release. He introduced the bipartisan Better Online Ticket Sales Act (S-3183) and held a consumer protection subcommittee hearing about the bill, which cleared the Senate Commerce Committee in September (see 1609210040). "Ticket bots have affected people across the country, and the need to end this growing practice is reflected in the widespread support in the Senate. I hope to see the House act quickly to get this bill to the president’s desk," he said. The House passed similar, but not identical, legislation (HR-5104) in September (see 1609120073). Both bills deem that use of such software is an unfair and deceptive practice enforceable by the FTC. On Monday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) signed a bill into law that expands the definition of ticket purchasing software, increases penalties for users of ticket bots and those who resells tickets that they know were obtained via such software and establishes a class A misdemeanor for using such software.

Makers of connected "smart" toys should provide clear privacy notices, give "meaningful" ways for parents to consent to collection and use of their children's data, and protect that information as a way to build trust with parents, said a Future of Privacy Forum and Family Online Safety Institute paper Thursday. Building on a June event, FPF and FOSI analyzed privacy and security implications of such toys -- like the speech-activated Dino and Hello Barbie Dream House or the wearable bracelet Pokemon Go Plus -- which can connect to the internet and, therefore, collect, process and share kids' data. "As connected toys become more popular, it is important for toymakers to be transparent about their data practices and to mitigate security risks," said FPF CEO Jules Polonetsky in a news release. "Federal law provides key safeguards, but more can be done to build trust.” The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act may apply to such devices, but the organizations say companies "should go beyond COPPA's strictures by building privacy into the design and packaging of their toys." Even non-connected toys that use Bluetooth could raise privacy concerns by transmitting hardware-specific data that can be tracked by sensors in a store or shopping area, the paper said. Manufacturers should consider technical or policy measures to ensure such toys can be used in public spaces while providing appropriate privacy options, it added.