House Judiciary Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks, R-Ariz., all but declared his support during a hearing Wednesday for the Securing Participation, Engagement and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforts Act, saying the Speak Free Act “enjoys broad bipartisan support.” HR-2304 would create a national statute to curb strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). The hearing largely lauded HR-2304's virtues, as expected (see 1606210061). But Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and Yeshiva University Benjamin Cardozo School of Law professor Alexander Reinert raised concerns about the bill's scope.
CTIA and the Competitive Carriers Association separately asked the FCC to rescind May 19 guidance by its chief technologist on the transparency parts of the 2015 net neutrality rules. “The ‘guidance’ includes new substantive rules issued without notice and comment, and this lack of public process has led to flawed and unworkable solutions,” CTIA said in an application for review filed in docket 14-28. Both groups asked the FCC to rescind the guidance public notice and seek comment on the transparency provisions.
As a pay-TV backed alternative to the FCC set-top proposal gains steam (see 1606200048), the commission's plan may face an additional hurdle from Capitol Hill in the form of an appropriations rider that could delay new rules until after further study. The study would focus on the effects of set-top rule changes on diversity in programming. Supporters of the FCC set top proposal have characterized it as a delaying tactic by the pay-TV industry.
As a pay-TV backed alternative to the FCC set-top proposal gains steam (see 1606200048), the commission's plan may face an additional hurdle from Capitol Hill in the form of an appropriations rider that could delay new rules until after further study. The study would focus on the effects of set-top rule changes on diversity in programming. Supporters of the FCC set top proposal have characterized it as a delaying tactic by the pay-TV industry.
CTIA and the Competitive Carriers Association separately asked the FCC to rescind May 19 guidance by its chief technologist on the transparency parts of the 2015 net neutrality rules. “The ‘guidance’ includes new substantive rules issued without notice and comment, and this lack of public process has led to flawed and unworkable solutions,” CTIA said in an application for review filed in docket 14-28. Both groups asked the FCC to rescind the guidance public notice and seek comment on the transparency provisions.
California senators soon will consider a deregulatory bill to reduce local siting review for small-cell wireless infrastructure. The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee plans to consider the measure next Monday, a committee spokeswoman said. The bill has raised concerns from advocates for local government. The committee plans on Tuesday to consider a constitutional amendment to dissolve the California Public Utilities Commission and a bill to improve wireless 911 call routing. While the Assembly already passed the three measures, the small-cells bill had nothing to do with wireless until after it arrived in the Senate.
Industry representatives welcomed recent privacy best practices recommendations from the Center for Democracy and Technology and Fitbit, but said they address only a portion of a diverse, complex and rapidly changing consumer wearable sector where technology and consumer expectations are continually evolving. They said many companies view privacy and security as key. The report focused on giving internal research and development teams best practices (see 1606100029). Morgan Reed, executive director of ACT|The App Association, said in an interview that the report is "good marker for industry, but it's clearly not final." He said there are many more issues to consider, such as getting consent from consumers and form factor.
California senators soon will consider a deregulatory bill to reduce local siting review for small-cell wireless infrastructure. The Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee plans to consider the measure next Monday, a committee spokeswoman said. The bill has raised concerns from advocates for local government. The committee plans on Tuesday to consider a constitutional amendment to dissolve the California Public Utilities Commission and a bill to improve wireless 911 call routing. While the Assembly already passed the three measures, the small-cells bill had nothing to do with wireless until after it arrived in the Senate.
Industry representatives welcomed recent privacy best practices recommendations from the Center for Democracy and Technology and Fitbit, but said they address only a portion of a diverse, complex and rapidly changing consumer wearable sector where technology and consumer expectations are continually evolving. They said many companies view privacy and security as key. The report focused on giving internal research and development teams best practices (see 1606100029). Morgan Reed, executive director of ACT|The App Association, said in an interview that the report is "good marker for industry, but it's clearly not final." He said there are many more issues to consider, such as getting consent from consumers and form factor.
Industry representatives welcomed recent privacy best practices recommendations from the Center for Democracy and Technology and Fitbit, but said they address only a portion of a diverse, complex and rapidly changing consumer wearable sector where technology and consumer expectations are continually evolving. They said many companies view privacy and security as key. The report focused on giving internal research and development teams best practices (see 1606100029). Morgan Reed, executive director of ACT|The App Association, said in an interview that the report is "good marker for industry, but it's clearly not final." He said there are many more issues to consider, such as getting consent from consumers and form factor.