Following reports the makers of the monitoring and safety application mSpy encountered a data breach, questions were raised by privacy advocates, security experts and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., about the safety of spying software apps, including those designed to allow parents to monitor their children's activities. Franken said tracking apps have a “striking” similarity to stalking apps used by domestic abusers and stalkers to “continuously and secretly spy on victims’ electronic communications, movements, and whereabouts,” and encouraged the FTC and Department of Justice to support his Location Privacy Protection Act, which would “put an end to these appalling apps that allow abusers to secretly track their victims,” a news release said.

Partisan tensions flared Wednesday during a markup of the House Communications Subcommittee, which advanced seven pieces of FCC process overhaul legislation. The subcommittee uncontroversially signed off on three Democratic proposals. A partisan fight broke out over three GOP proposals and the details of the bipartisan FCC Process Reform Act. It provoked what House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., said was a “breakdown” regarding a disagreement with ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.

Partisan tensions flared Wednesday during a markup of the House Communications Subcommittee, which advanced seven pieces of FCC process overhaul legislation. The subcommittee uncontroversially signed off on three Democratic proposals. A partisan fight broke out over three GOP proposals and the details of the bipartisan FCC Process Reform Act. It provoked what House Communications Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., said was a “breakdown” regarding a disagreement with ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif.

Following reports the makers of the monitoring and safety application mSpy encountered a data breach, questions were raised by privacy advocates, security experts and Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., about the safety of spying software apps, including those designed to allow parents to monitor their children's activities. Franken said tracking apps have a “striking” similarity to stalking apps used by domestic abusers and stalkers to “continuously and secretly spy on victims’ electronic communications, movements, and whereabouts,” and encouraged the FTC and Department of Justice to support his Location Privacy Protection Act, which would “put an end to these appalling apps that allow abusers to secretly track their victims,” a news release said.

The House Communications Subcommittee will mark up seven pieces of FCC process legislation Wednesday, after two hearings on the issues. The agenda includes three GOP measures that prompted opposition from subcommittee Democrats and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler during an April 30 hearing. The markup’s three Democratic measures drew little opposition from Republicans when they were raised. The final bill is the bipartisan FCC Process Reform Act, written by Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.

The House Communications Subcommittee will mark up seven pieces of FCC process legislation Wednesday, after two hearings on the issues. The agenda includes three GOP measures that prompted opposition from subcommittee Democrats and FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler during an April 30 hearing. The markup’s three Democratic measures drew little opposition from Republicans when they were raised. The final bill is the bipartisan FCC Process Reform Act, written by Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden, R-Ore., ranking member Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.

Dish Network defended its bidding practices in the AWS-3 auction, in a letter Monday to Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless, the designated entities (DEs) employed by Dish to indirectly capture the second-most AWS-3 spectrum of any player in the auction at discounted prices (see 1501300051), defended their participation in the auction in filings at the FCC. Dish is “confident” that it and its DEs “followed the rules” of the AWS-3 auction when they bought $13.3 billion worth of spectrum for $10 billion, saving more than $3 billion in discounts, Dish CEO Charlie Ergen said 10 days ago on an earnings call (see 1505110035).

Dish Network defended its bidding practices in the AWS-3 auction, in a letter Monday to Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. Northstar Wireless and SNR Wireless, the designated entities (DEs) employed by Dish to indirectly capture the second-most AWS-3 spectrum of any player in the auction at discounted prices (see 1501300051), defended their participation in the auction in filings at the FCC. Dish is “confident” that it and its DEs “followed the rules” of the AWS-3 auction when they bought $13.3 billion worth of spectrum for $10 billion, saving more than $3 billion in discounts, Dish CEO Charlie Ergen said 10 days ago on an earnings call (see 1505110035).

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson urged the FCC to approve AT&T's proposed buy of DirecTV "promptly and discussed peering and interconnection issues raised in the proceeding," in a conference call with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Thursday, said an ex parte letter posted Monday to docket 14-90. It provided no more details. At a recent meeting with FCC staffers, Cogent, Dish Network, Free Press, Public Knowledge and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute asked the FCC to impose certain conditions -- including on stand-alone broadband, interconnection, data caps and net neutrality -- to address various alleged harms if it decides to approve the deal, said an ex parte filing (see 1505130042). Comptel recently backed Cox Communications' proposal to restrict AT&T/DirecTV from entering into video programming contracts that include unreasonable volume discounts, and the American Cable Association's proposal to prevent the combined company from interfering with rates, terms and conditions that video programmers offer competitors. Comptel also proposed, among other things, that AT&T/DirecTV be (1) required to file quarterly reports on its programming contracts, (2) prohibited from charging terminating access fees or using broadband data caps in a way that could harm online video distributors, and (3) required to comply with Sections 251 and 252 of the Communications Act both during and after its wireline transition to IP. In addition, New Networks Institute and Teletruth petitioned the FCC to delay acting on AT&T/DirecTV and investigate whether AT&T committed perjury in its representations to the agency regarding its broadband deployment. Monday, the FCC informal 180-day shot clock was still halted on Day 170 after the agency decided on March 13 to await a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit regarding video programming confidential information. The court May 8 vacated an FCC order that would have let participants in the commission's AT&T/DirecTV transaction proceeding review confidential programming and retransmission consent contract data, after finding it was “substantively and procedurally flawed,” in CBS et al. v. FCC (see 1505080053).

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson urged the FCC to approve AT&T's proposed buy of DirecTV "promptly and discussed peering and interconnection issues raised in the proceeding," in a conference call with FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler Thursday, said an ex parte letter posted Monday to docket 14-90. It provided no more details. At a recent meeting with FCC staffers, Cogent, Dish Network, Free Press, Public Knowledge and the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute asked the FCC to impose certain conditions -- including on stand-alone broadband, interconnection, data caps and net neutrality -- to address various alleged harms if it decides to approve the deal, said an ex parte filing (see 1505130042). Comptel recently backed Cox Communications' proposal to restrict AT&T/DirecTV from entering into video programming contracts that include unreasonable volume discounts, and the American Cable Association's proposal to prevent the combined company from interfering with rates, terms and conditions that video programmers offer competitors. Comptel also proposed, among other things, that AT&T/DirecTV be (1) required to file quarterly reports on its programming contracts, (2) prohibited from charging terminating access fees or using broadband data caps in a way that could harm online video distributors, and (3) required to comply with Sections 251 and 252 of the Communications Act both during and after its wireline transition to IP. In addition, New Networks Institute and Teletruth petitioned the FCC to delay acting on AT&T/DirecTV and investigate whether AT&T committed perjury in its representations to the agency regarding its broadband deployment. Monday, the FCC informal 180-day shot clock was still halted on Day 170 after the agency decided on March 13 to await a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit regarding video programming confidential information. The court May 8 vacated an FCC order that would have let participants in the commission's AT&T/DirecTV transaction proceeding review confidential programming and retransmission consent contract data, after finding it was “substantively and procedurally flawed,” in CBS et al. v. FCC (see 1505080053).