The FCC is still trying to figure out what role it will play in cybersecurity, but that could be limited for the most part to helping other agencies that have clearer oversight, Chief Technology Officer Eric Burger told an FCBA lunch audience Thursday. Burger said network security and reliability and robocalls were areas he highlighted when Chairman Ajit Pai interviewed him for the job. Early in his chairmanship, Pai rescinded two cybersecurity items issued under former Chairman Tom Wheeler -- a white paper on communications sector cybersecurity regulation and a notice of inquiry on cybersecurity for 5G devices (see 1702060059) -- and has steered the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council away from its former focus on the topic.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act system is broken for ISPs, and fixes aren't readily evident, said panelists at an FCBA CLE Wednesday. ISPs' safe harbor protections under DMCA are to balance their interests with those of copyright holders, but there are increasing strains on that cooperation since ISPs aren't thrilled about shutting off customers, and copyright holders often feel ISPs are using that argument to hide from their responsibilities, said cable ISP lawyer Seth Davidson of Mintz Levin. ISPs also aren't enthusiastic about demands they pass along to their subscribers copyright infringement settlement offers, he said.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said it’s on track with a six-year project to upgrade to radio and cellular communications in Metro tunnels, as regulators' and others' concerns mount amid two-way radio and other problems hampering emergency responses. FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly, who recently asked WMATA for an update (see 1801250052), told us he's still waiting.
Millions of smart TVs can be controlled by hackers exploiting easy-to-find security flaws, said Consumer Reports. Also finding privacy issues with smart TVs’ “substantial data collection,” Wednesday's report was the first test from its Digital Standard. It was developed with cybersecurity and privacy organizations Disconnect, Ranking Digital Rights, The Cyber Independent Testing Lab and nonprofit tech organization Aspiration to help set expectations for how connected product manufacturers should handle privacy and security.
Rep. Mike Coffman, R-Colo., bucked the FCC's order to rescind its 2015 net neutrality rules and congressional Democrats' planned Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval aimed at undoing the FCC action, saying at an Incompas event Wednesday his planned 21st Century Internet Act is aimed at reaching a bipartisan compromise. Coffman was one of the few congressional Republicans who urged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to delay the commission's December vote on rescission of the 2015 rules (see 1712120037). Coffman began teasing his legislative plans soon after the December vote (see 1712140044). He told us Tuesday he's aiming to file the bill by late this month.
Tech companies and the U.S. government need to study ubiquitous social media and mobile tech and prevent their use from harming children and society, said legislators, physicians and advocates at a Common Sense event Wednesday. In trying to make apps, mobile video, games and social networking more attractive, tech companies created addictive products that are causing harm, said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., and Rep. John Delaney, D-Md. The constant reliance on mobile technology “isn’t a drug, but it might as well be, because it does the same thing,” said Robert Lustig, pediatric endocrinologist at University of California, San Francisco. “It works on the same part of the brain.”
The FAA is acting to accommodate the increasing pace of commercial space launches, though the regulator also needs to see increased industry focus on safety, acting Administrator Dan Elwell said Wednesday at the annual Commercial Space Transportation Conference. The agency "cannot be a rubber stamp nor ... a hurdle," he said.
Commissioner Mignon Clyburn slammed FCC competition policy but saw two "bright spots" ripe for a bipartisan approach: promoting competition in multiple-tenant environments (MTEs) and lowering pole-attachment barriers to infrastructure deployment. She spoke at an Incompas conference Wednesday where speakers cited pole attachments and the "make ready" process as inhibiting broadband expansion. Despite a "backlash" from incumbents and some policy setbacks, new competitors are driving market improvements and winning the battle for public opinion, including on net neutrality, said Incompas CEO Chip Pickering.
The FCC is expected to embrace technology trials that could include jamming as one alternative for keeping contraband cellphones out of correctional facilities, industry lawyers said Wednesday. Chairman Ajit Pai met with prison and wireless industry officials in a closed-door meeting at the agency (see 1802050034). Carriers traditionally opposed jamming as a potential violation of the Communications Act but are expressing an open mind, according to statements by AT&T and Verizon.
Senate Democrats' behind-the-scenes negotiations on a consensus successor to replace Commissioner Mignon Clyburn if she departs the FCC emerged into public view after Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Bill Nelson, D-Fla., acknowledged he's planning to recommend the pick be John Branscome, committee chief Democratic telecom counsel. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and staff haven't signed off on Branscome and are actively considering another potential nominee to recommend to President Donald Trump, said Nelson and industry lobbyists in interviews Wednesday.