Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., plans to introduce legislation early next week to scuttle a proposed judiciary procedural rule change that would allow federal law enforcement officials to go to any magistrate judge in the country, who could then issue a warrant to search potentially millions of computers outside their jurisdictions. A Wyden spokeswoman said Thursday that the bill, which has unidentified bipartisan co-sponsors, would block the amendment to Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure from taking effect Dec. 1.
Two free speech and journalism experts said they're concerned about the Senate Commerce Committee's inquiry into allegations Facebook may have skewed its trending topics feature toward more liberal stories by suppressing conservative political viewpoints. There's no reason for government involvement -- whether it's about content management or consumer protection, they said Wednesday. "Overall, it’s very disturbing to see Congress trying to become a policeman of social media," Media Institute Executive Director Richard Kaplar said in an interview.
Two free speech and journalism experts said they're concerned about the Senate Commerce Committee's inquiry into allegations Facebook may have skewed its trending topics feature toward more liberal stories by suppressing conservative political viewpoints. There's no reason for government involvement -- whether it's about content management or consumer protection, they said Wednesday. "Overall, it’s very disturbing to see Congress trying to become a policeman of social media," Media Institute Executive Director Richard Kaplar said in an interview.
Senate Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee Republicans questioned the wisdom of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s broadband privacy rulemaking and lauded the FTC’s past role overseeing the matter. Wheeler insisted during a Wednesday hearing with top FCC and FTC officials that the FCC has no plans to regulate edge providers and the rules are necessary. He also rejected any attempt to extend the comment deadlines in the proceeding.
Senate Judiciary Privacy Subcommittee Republicans questioned the wisdom of FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s broadband privacy rulemaking and lauded the FTC’s past role overseeing the matter. Wheeler insisted during a Wednesday hearing with top FCC and FTC officials that the FCC has no plans to regulate edge providers and the rules are necessary. He also rejected any attempt to extend the comment deadlines in the proceeding.
Supporters of a federal law that authorizes the CIA, the FBI and the NSA to spy on the electronic communications of foreigners located outside the U.S. even when they communicate with Americans told Senate Judiciary Committee members Tuesday at an oversight hearing that the 2008 law has helped identify terrorist plots and needs to be reauthorized before it sunsets at the end of 2017. But privacy advocate Elizabeth Goitein said Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act in its current form isn't safeguarding the privacy of Americans who may get swept up in the surveillance and may become subject to search without a warrant.
Supporters of a federal law that authorizes the CIA, the FBI and the NSA to spy on the electronic communications of foreigners located outside the U.S. even when they communicate with Americans told Senate Judiciary Committee members Tuesday at an oversight hearing that the 2008 law has helped identify terrorist plots and needs to be reauthorized before it sunsets at the end of 2017. But privacy advocate Elizabeth Goitein said Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Amendments Act in its current form isn't safeguarding the privacy of Americans who may get swept up in the surveillance and may become subject to search without a warrant.
The FCC is seeking comment on a narrow aspect of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, providing an exception for companies hired by the federal government to collect funds owed the government. The NPRM moves the FCC toward implementing a provision in last year’s budget deal, the Bipartisan Budget Act, providing a special exemption for federal debt collectors. Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Ajit Pai objected, saying the federal pursuit of special treatment shows broader problems with the TCPA. Both commissioners also raised red flags last summer when the FCC approved an order and declaratory ruling on the TCPA (see 1506180046).
A path forward still exists this Congress to advance the Senate’s FCC Reauthorization Act (S-2644) and the Mobile Now spectrum bill (S-2555) despite a rapidly diminishing number of legislative days in 2016 and a tough political climate, Capitol Hill observers told us. The Senate Commerce Committee approved Mobile Now March 3 and the FCC Reauthorization Act April 27, both by unanimous voice vote, and both are likely to be filed for hotline expedited consideration by the full Senate this month. Mobile Now is expected to be hotlined this week.
The FCC is seeking comment on a narrow aspect of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, providing an exception for companies hired by the federal government to collect funds owed the government. The NPRM moves the FCC toward implementing a provision in last year’s budget deal, the Bipartisan Budget Act, providing a special exemption for federal debt collectors. Commissioners Mike O’Rielly and Ajit Pai objected, saying the federal pursuit of special treatment shows broader problems with the TCPA. Both commissioners also raised red flags last summer when the FCC approved an order and declaratory ruling on the TCPA (see 1506180046).