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."
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."
Companies engaging in big data analytics should be aware of potentially discriminatory effects on low-income and disadvantaged consumers and take steps to identify and minimize those risks, the FTC said in a report released Wednesday that drew some criticism from Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen and tech advocacy groups. The report details the FTC's recommendations -- based on analysis provided by stakeholders, advocates and researchers -- on the use of big data analytics and analyzes the risks and benefits of the technology for companies and low-income consumers. While expressing her support for the report as a "useful contribution to the ongoing policy discussion" about big data's effect on disadvantaged individuals, Ohlhausen knocked it for overhyping "hypothetical" dangers for consumers. Outside reaction was mixed.
Companies engaging in big data analytics should be aware of potentially discriminatory effects on low-income and disadvantaged consumers and take steps to identify and minimize those risks, the FTC said in a report released Wednesday that drew some criticism from Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen and tech advocacy groups. The report details the FTC's recommendations -- based on analysis provided by stakeholders, advocates and researchers -- on the use of big data analytics and analyzes the risks and benefits of the technology for companies and low-income consumers. While expressing her support for the report as a "useful contribution to the ongoing policy discussion" about big data's effect on disadvantaged individuals, Ohlhausen knocked it for overhyping "hypothetical" dangers for consumers. Outside reaction was mixed.
Companies engaging in big data analytics should be aware of potentially discriminatory effects on low-income and disadvantaged consumers and take steps to identify and minimize those risks, the FTC said in a report released Wednesday that drew some criticism from Commissioner Maureen Ohlhausen and tech advocacy groups. The report details the FTC's recommendations -- based on analysis provided by stakeholders, advocates and researchers -- on the use of big data analytics and analyzes the risks and benefits of the technology for companies and low-income consumers. While expressing her support for the report as a "useful contribution to the ongoing policy discussion" about big data's effect on disadvantaged individuals, Ohlhausen knocked it for overhyping "hypothetical" dangers for consumers. Outside reaction was mixed.
Dish Network, which opposes regulatory OK of Charter Communications' buy of Bright House Network and Time Warner Cable, probably is hoping not so much to derail the $89.1 billion deals -- as the company maintains -- but to have conditions that would advantage its Sling TV online video distribution service, said several experts, including those skeptical of such transaction curbs. "The louder [Dish CEO Charlie Ergen] is, the more influence he has in what those conditions might be," Boston College Law School associate professor Daniel Lyons said. And Dish on Comcast/TWC was joined by Cogent and Netflix in trying to block that deal outright, noted a cable lawyer. Dish seemingly is trying to have conditions imposed on the deal beyond those voluntarily proposed, such as deeper commitments that last longer, the attorney said.
Dish Network, which opposes regulatory OK of Charter Communications' buy of Bright House Network and Time Warner Cable, probably is hoping not so much to derail the $89.1 billion deals -- as the company maintains -- but to have conditions that would advantage its Sling TV online video distribution service, said several experts, including those skeptical of such transaction curbs. "The louder [Dish CEO Charlie Ergen] is, the more influence he has in what those conditions might be," Boston College Law School associate professor Daniel Lyons said. And Dish on Comcast/TWC was joined by Cogent and Netflix in trying to block that deal outright, noted a cable lawyer. Dish seemingly is trying to have conditions imposed on the deal beyond those voluntarily proposed, such as deeper commitments that last longer, the attorney said.
The broadcasters of NAB celebrated the FCC incentive auction draft bill that House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., unveiled Tuesday. But one prominent low-power TV advocate rallied his supporters to lobby Congress to include LPTV priorities. Pallone’s Viewer Protection Act proposes $1 billion for what it calls the Viewer Protection Fund, an emergency fund the FCC could access if broadcasters are at risk of losing service during the repacking process after the incentive auction, the five-page draft text said. The auction is to begin March 29.
Enactment of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 is unlikely to reduce Congress' interest in cybersecurity issues during 2016, but it's equally unlikely that Congress will pass similarly major legislation in the coming year due in large part to the uncertain dynamics of the presidential election, cybersecurity stakeholders told us. The Cybersecurity Act was Congress' final version of conference cybersecurity information sharing legislation, after contentious negotiations over whether to favor language from the Senate-passed Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S-754) or two House-passed information sharing bills (see 1512160068).
Enactment of the Cybersecurity Act of 2015 is unlikely to reduce Congress' interest in cybersecurity issues during 2016, but it's equally unlikely that Congress will pass similarly major legislation in the coming year due in large part to the uncertain dynamics of the presidential election, cybersecurity stakeholders told us. The Cybersecurity Act was Congress' final version of conference cybersecurity information sharing legislation, after contentious negotiations over whether to favor language from the Senate-passed Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S-754) or two House-passed information sharing bills (see 1512160068).