Wearables, whether worn on the wrist or embedded in clothing to monitor physical activities and other wellness metrics, are fast being adopted. Many people are freely sharing their personal data with friends, family and even device manufacturers. But the consumer-facing wearables industry doesn't have a lot of privacy guidance on collecting, storing and sharing users' personal data, said authors of a new report from Center for Democracy and Technology and Fitbit as well as several observers.
The FCC's broadband overbuild condition put on Charter Communications' buys of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks is under fire in the form of multiple petitions to reconsider filed Friday in docket 15-149. One, from American Cable Association, seems aimed at challenging the agency in court after administrative options are exhausted, multiple cable industry lawyers told us Friday. One of the preparers of the ACA petition is Jeffrey Lamken of MoloLamken, who specializes in appellate practice. "We made a strong compelling case the FCC likely didn't consider fully its adoption of the order and are hopeful the FCC will consider," ACA Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Ross Lieberman said. "If not, we will decide what to do next, if anything. All options are on the table." The FCC and Charter didn't comment.
Internet freedom advocates sounded the alarm over a computer-crime bill in Rhode Island that they said dangerously expands upon the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA). The legislation prohibits unauthorized access to someone else’s computer, computer system or network with intent to view, save or copy confidential information. The Rhode Island House plans a floor vote Tuesday. Opponents say the bill is too vaguely worded and could penalize innocent activity by researchers and whistleblowers. A less-criticized Washington state law that also prohibits unauthorized access into computers took effect Thursday.
Wearables, whether worn on the wrist or embedded in clothing to monitor physical activities and other wellness metrics, are fast being adopted. Many people are freely sharing their personal data with friends, family and even device manufacturers. But the consumer-facing wearables industry doesn't have a lot of privacy guidance on collecting, storing and sharing users' personal data, said authors of a new report from Center for Democracy and Technology and Fitbit as well as several observers.
A court's delay in issuing a net neutrality ruling provides few hints about the outcome, those on both sides told us Friday. (The court generally issues rulings on Tuesdays and Fridays.) Several said a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit is probably struggling to reconcile the complexities and some said it's likely split. But most didn't read much, if anything, about the court's leanings into the six-plus months that have passed since Dec. 4 oral argument on the various challenges to the FCC's 2015 order that reclassified broadband under Title II of the Communications Act and created net neutrality rules (see 1512040058). Lawmakers aren't too concerned, either (see 1606090064).
The House FY 2017 FCC funding bill retained its policy riders curbing the agency’s net neutrality order, mandating a pause to the set-top proceeding and mandating FCC process overhaul Thursday as it advanced to the floor. Appropriations Committee Republicans shot down Democrats' attempts to modify the Financial Services bill during the long full committee markup, approving the bill 30-17.
The House FY 2017 FCC funding bill retained its policy riders curbing the agency’s net neutrality order, mandating a pause to the set-top proceeding and mandating FCC process overhaul Thursday as it advanced to the floor. Appropriations Committee Republicans shot down Democrats' attempts to modify the Financial Services bill during the long full committee markup, approving the bill 30-17.
One of the “most interesting” applications of SXM17, the interactive platform that SiriusXM is developing with the major carmakers (see 1604280042), will be the platform’s in-car subscriber account management functionality, SiriusXM Chief Financial Officer David Frear told a Bank of America Merrill Lynch investor conference Tuesday.
The Consumer Federation of America and other public interest groups urged the FCC to move forward on final privacy rules for ISPs. Speakers on a Wednesday call with reporters said consumers face real, not theoretical, harms if the FCC doesn’t move forward. Speakers also predicted the FCC ultimately will approve rules while Tom Wheeler is still chairman. They said they weren't concerned about FTC comments on the FCC proposal.
One of the “most interesting” applications of SXM17, the interactive platform that SiriusXM is developing with the major carmakers (see 1604280042), will be the platform’s in-car subscriber account management functionality, SiriusXM Chief Financial Officer David Frear told a Bank of America Merrill Lynch investor conference Tuesday.