Privacy advocates said the FTC big data report is significant because it focuses on ensuring that poor and underserved communities aren't discriminated against through the use of automated, data-driven predictive technologies even as those technologies are supposed to help them improve their lives (see 1601060042). The report was right to outline possible harms to such communities with the growing adoption of big data analytics, they said, despite criticism from some industry allies that potential misuses were hypothetical and overstated. But at least one advocate said she was unsure of the report's larger impact on companies that use big data analytics in this area, though most said they believed companies want -- and try -- to do the right thing.
A Senate Republican leader thinks a ban on Internet access taxes will move forward in the near future with a trade bill, untouched by those who want to remove it. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., third-ranking member of leadership and chairman of the Commerce Committee, is also eyeing action on drones and consideration of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, he told reporters Tuesday.
Privacy advocates said the FTC big data report is significant because it focuses on ensuring that poor and underserved communities aren't discriminated against through the use of automated, data-driven predictive technologies even as those technologies are supposed to help them improve their lives (see 1601060042). The report was right to outline possible harms to such communities with the growing adoption of big data analytics, they said, despite criticism from some industry allies that potential misuses were hypothetical and overstated. But at least one advocate said she was unsure of the report's larger impact on companies that use big data analytics in this area, though most said they believed companies want -- and try -- to do the right thing.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., third-ranking member of leadership, expects a ban on Internet access taxes to move forward in the near future with customs reauthorization legislation, untouched by those who want to remove it. Thune is also eyeing consideration of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, he told reporters Jan. 12.
Responses to a European Commission inquiry into possible regulation of Internet platforms show strong opposition to upping the responsibility of service providers for policing content and to the EC's very definition of an online platform. Telco, Internet, consumer and digital rights groups agreed on several of the key issues raised in the consultation on the regulatory environment for platforms, online intermediaries, data and cloud computing and the collaborative economy. The consultation ended Wednesday, and the EC said it will now assess and summarize the results in a report. The commission hasn't posted the responses, but several organizations released theirs and others made them available to us.
Disagreements on net neutrality will likely emerge Tuesday during a House Communications Subcommittee legislative hearing, according to written testimony and opening statements released ahead of the 10:15 a.m. hearing in 2123 Rayburn. Contention about the two net neutrality-related measures was expected last week (see 1601070051). House lawmakers will consider four telecom measures in total: the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act (HR-2666) and a discussion draft of the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act, both dealing with the FCC net neutrality order and lacking Democratic backers, and the bipartisan Amateur Radio Parity Act (HR-1301) and Anti-Spoofing Act (HR-2669).
Responses to a European Commission inquiry into possible regulation of Internet platforms show strong opposition to upping the responsibility of service providers for policing content and to the EC's very definition of an online platform. Telco, Internet, consumer and digital rights groups agreed on several of the key issues raised in the consultation on the regulatory environment for platforms, online intermediaries, data and cloud computing and the collaborative economy. The consultation ended Wednesday, and the EC said it will now assess and summarize the results in a report. The commission hasn't posted the responses, but several organizations released theirs and others made them available to us.
Responses to a European Commission inquiry into possible regulation of Internet platforms show strong opposition to upping the responsibility of service providers for policing content and to the EC's very definition of an online platform. Telco, Internet, consumer and digital rights groups agreed on several of the key issues raised in the consultation on the regulatory environment for platforms, online intermediaries, data and cloud computing and the collaborative economy. The consultation ended Wednesday, and the EC said it will now assess and summarize the results in a report. The commission hasn't posted the responses, but several organizations released theirs and others made them available to us.
Disagreements on net neutrality will likely emerge Tuesday during a House Communications Subcommittee legislative hearing, according to written testimony and opening statements released ahead of the 10:15 a.m. hearing in 2123 Rayburn. Contention about the two net neutrality-related measures was expected last week (see 1601070051). House lawmakers will consider four telecom measures in total: the No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act (HR-2666) and a discussion draft of the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act, both dealing with the FCC net neutrality order and lacking Democratic backers, and the bipartisan Amateur Radio Parity Act (HR-1301) and Anti-Spoofing Act (HR-2669).
LAS VEGAS -- Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said the FTC's new report on the possible discriminatory effects of big data (see 1601060042) is meant to help companies identify potential problems, not overstate harms, as critics including Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen have said. "What we’re trying to do is to highlight risks," she told us Wednesday at CES. "And we’re offering suggestions for companies to take these issues into consideration, to look at the data that they’re using, the analytical tools they’re using to minimize these potential downsides. So I think it’s important to be mindful."