TMobileWorkersUnited.org, a Communications Workers of America website, aims to air the concerns of “call center representatives, retail associates and technicians who are standing up to discuss the issues and challenges they face at the new T-Mobile US,” CWA said Monday. T-Mobile US emerged earlier this year from the merger of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS. The site “makes it easier for T-Mobile and MetroPCS employees to connect to a network of their colleagues across the country and gives them the social media tools to support and raise awareness,” CWA said in a news release. T-Mobile did not immediately comment.

Google told British claimants that English and U.K. privacy laws don’t apply to its actions, said Olswang, the law firm representing the claimants, in a Monday release (http://prn.to/14dIBay). The claimants, who sued on behalf of campaign group Safari Users Against Google’s Secret Tracking, claimed Google installed tracking cookies on computers using Apple’s Safari Internet browser even when consumers chose to block them, which allowed Google to track their browsing activities, Olswang said. Google contested the right of Safari users in the U.K. to bring a case in that country, instead forcing them to serve the company in California, Olswang said. “The search giant has dismissed the Safari claims as not serious, saying that the browsing habits of internet users are not protected as personal information, even when they potentially concern their physical health or sexuality,” it said in the release.

The Direct Marketing Association “strongly disagrees” with FTC Commissioner Julie Brill’s position on data brokers, it said in a Monday release (http://bit.ly/14dHAiz). In a Washington Post op-ed last week (http://wapo.st/14dH3NF), Brill urged firms that collect consumer data to be more transparent about the information they collect. DMA President Linda Woolley responded with an open letter to Brill saying the commissioner inaccurately targeted “reputable practices that benefit consumers,” by conflating the National Security Agency’s activities with those of “responsible data-driven marketers.” She said a “robust” set of sector-specific federal and state laws already governs the use of consumer information.

p>The FCC Public Safety Bureau sought comment on a FirstNet filing on whether the commission should consolidate technical service rules for the 758-769 and 788-799 MHz bands under its Part 90 rules. NTIA made the filing Aug. 2 on behalf of FirstNet (http://bit.ly/12jlsSB). “In its filing, FirstNet supports ‘consolidating the technical requirements for the former D Block into Part 90 of the Commission’s Rules’ and recommends that the Commission ‘act quickly to amend its technical service rules to enable FirstNet to expedite the deployment of’ its network,” the bureau said (http://bit.ly/1eXGloY). “Additionally, FirstNet urges ’swift Commission action to begin accepting and processing equipment authorizations in the newly combined spectrum,’ citing ‘an imminent need for authorized equipment to meet the needs of jurisdictions that may deploy early’ in FirstNet’s licensed spectrum under spectrum leases.” Comments will be due seven days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.

CEA and consumer groups have reached a partial consensus over proposed accessibility rules for user interfaces and program guides, said CEA and the American Foundation for the Blind in an ex parte filing (http://bit.ly/16XbtSW). Although previously at odds (CD Aug 9 p3) concerning the FCC Media Bureau’s rulemaking on implementing sections 204 and 205 of the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA), CEA, AFB and the American Council of the Blind have reached agreement on some of the proposed rules, the ex parte said. The commission should limit requirements for what functions manufacturers must make accessible to a list of 11 “essential functions” -- volume, power and other basic controls -- said CEA, AFB and ACB. The Media Bureau and the consumer groups had previously proposed that all user functions on devices be made accessible, but now all the consumer groups support along with CEA limiting the rule to the essential functions, said the ex parte. CEA, AFB and ACB also said the rule should be clarified so manufacturers are only required to make functions accessible that would generally be included with the device, said the ex parte. Manufacturers should only be required to “make apparatus volume control accessible when volume control is native to the equipment,” it said. “If no volume control is available to purchasers of the equipment generally,” then manufacturers shouldn’t be required to add it to fulfill accessibility requirements, said the ex parte. If the commission approves a narrower scope for Section 204, CEA said it would support a Media Bureau proposal to apply Section 205 of the CVAA -- which requires programming guides to be accessible -- only to multichannel video programming distributor equipment and retail set-top boxes. CEA had previously argued that Section 205 should apply to all navigation devices, and that any device covered under Section 205 would not be subject to the broader accessibility requirements of Section 204. However, the consumer groups and CEA remain at odds over whether some other devices -- such as TiVo boxes -- should fall under Section 205 or 204, the ex parte said. The consumer groups do support CEA’s argument that “digital still cameras” and baby monitors should not fall under the proposed accessibility rules, the ex parte said.

The FCC’s Technological Advisory Council will meet Sept. 23, the agency said in a public notice Monday. TAC was chaired by FCC Chairman nominee Tom Wheeler and so has had a high profile. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. in the Commission Meeting Room (http://bit.ly/14dDGGn).

The FCC Wireline Bureau seeks comment on a petition by Time Warner Cable for the commission to preempt the North Carolina Rural Electrification Authority regarding the arbitration of an interconnection agreement between TWC and Star Telephone Membership Corporation, the FCC said in a public notice Aug. 16 (http://bit.ly/14dCCCm). TWC asks the commission to issue a preemption order and conduct an arbitration pursuant to Section 252 of the Communications Act. Section 252(e)(5) requires that the FCC preempt the jurisdiction of a state commission when the state commission “fails to act to carry out its responsibility.” Comments in WC docket 13-204 are due Sept. 6, replies Sept. 20.

Phyllis Schneck will be the deputy undersecretary for cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security, DHS said in a Monday release (http://1.usa.gov/13MA76r). Schneck was vice president and chief technology officer for McAfee. Secretary Janet Napolitano said in a statement she’s confident Schneck will “create a safe, secure and resilient cyber environment and promote cybersecurity knowledge and innovation."

Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., asked the telecom industry for advice on how to crack down on fraudulent robocalls. In a letter to CTIA and USTelecom late Friday (http://1.usa.gov/13MyVjD) she asked for comment on implementing technology that would filter out unwanted calls. She asked for further comment on eliminating the FTC Act’s common carrier exemption, on changes to FCC enforcement authorities regarding robocalls, and on revisions to the 2010 Truth in Caller ID Act. She set a deadline of Oct. 15 for responses. Both groups participated in a July 10 hearing of the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, which McCaskill chairs, on the subject of fraudulent robocalls. The Justice Department has estimated consumers lose $40 billion per year to fraudulent telemarketers, she said.

Southern California ISP Skyriver has expanded its service area into eastern Orange County and portions of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, it said. The expansions are a result of “a significant increase in companies looking for fiber-grade broadband service in Corona, Norco and Chino business areas,” said Skyriver CEO Saeed Khorami in a news release. “Additionally, we've added new coverage in Anaheim Hills.” Skyriver expanded into Santa Monica in February (http://bit.ly/19tCpMb).