The Democratic Party of Wisconsin filed a complaint at the FCC Saturday against the state Republican Party for allegedly distributing a video promoting Supreme Court candidate Daniel Kelly using a text message that looks like an emergency alert. The election has been hotly contested and has gotten national coverage. “The audio began with a series of tones substantially similar to the Common Audio Alert Signal as defined in 10 CFR § 10.520” and transmittal of such audio is a “violation of 10 CFR 10.520(d)(2), which not only prohibits unauthorized use of the Common Audio Alert Signal, but unauthorized use of a ‘simulation’ of such a signal,” the complaint said. False use of emergency alert system codes or wireless emergency alert attention signals “may be considered a ‘false distress signal,’ which is prohibited under 47 U.S. Code § 325,” the complaint said: “The FCC has broad jurisdiction to investigate and remediate offenses under both of the sections cited above, and has proposed or imposed substantial forfeitures for those violations.” The state Republican Party didn’t immediately comment Monday.
The European Commission will present ideas this year on a potential outbound investment screening regime, which could look to prevent European investments in sensitive Chinese technology sectors, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last week. She also said the EU will consider new trade restrictions on dual-use goods, including those that may be used for human rights abuses.
The U.S. and more than 20 of its allies this week released an export controls code of conduct, establishing a new forum for “subscribing states” to share information and stop technologies from being used for human rights violations. The Bureau of Industry and Security also issued new guidance describing how it factors human rights issues into its export application decisions and outlining the due diligence responsibilities of exporters.
The FCC’s proposed policy statement on receivers lays out core principles to “help inform the Commission’s future actions and stakeholder expectations about interference from spectrally and spatially proximate sources,” according to a draft released Thursday for the commissioners’ April 20 open meeting. The draft draws on recommendations in a 2015 report by the FCC’s Technology Advisory Council.
The Senate Commerce Committee is considering a hearing on a bill from Sens. Mark Warner, D-Va., and John Thune, R-S.D., that would open the door to a TikTok ban in the U.S., Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told us Wednesday. Warner and Thune introduced the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (Restrict) Act (S-686), a bill with more than 20 sponsors that would allow the Commerce Department to effectively ban apps like TikTok over national security concerns (see 2303170043).
The FCC is taking next steps on receivers, proposing a policy statement with "high-level principles" rather than rules or standards, which some industry observers had expected (see 2301180046), at commissioners' April 20 open meeting, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said Wednesday. The meeting is another busy one for the agency. The agenda includes a draft order on spectrum sharing rules among non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed satellite service (FSS) systems, which has gotten little consensus among satellite operators (see 2204270015). Commissioners will also take on additional rules to get tough on Chinese carriers still operating in the U.S.
The Biden administration this week plans to “unveil” new human rights-related export control measures as part of the second Summit for Democracy, a senior administration official said. The measures will show how the U.S. and its allies have so far implemented the Export Controls and Human Rights Initiative, an effort announced at the first democracy summit in 2021 that was designed to lead to better guardrails on exports of surveillance items and other technologies (see 2112090030).
Reps. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., and Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., refiled the Next Generation 911 Act Friday in a bid to boost emergency service tech upgrades. The bill, which formed the basis for NG-911 language leaders of the House and Senate Commerce committees included in the Spectrum Auction Reauthorization Act proposal they failed to attach in December to the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations measure (see 2212190069), would allocate $15 billion for the tech upgrades. “Over 85 percent of Americans now own a smartphone, and our 9-1-1 call centers aren’t equipped with the most up-to-date technology to respond to text messages or images from smartphones,” Eshoo said. “Our bill provides much needed funding for states and local communities to bring their 9-1-1 infrastructure into the 21st Century.” NG-911 “will begin saving lives in our communities the moment it is deployed,” Hudson said. The measure “would be a vital step in ensuring that all states and communities have access to the benefits of NG9-1-1, regardless of zip code,” said National Emergency Number Association CEO Brian Fontes, saying NENA will "work with all members of Congress to ensure this important legislation is passed and fully funded as soon as possible.” Eshoo’s office also cited support from the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies and Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition.
The House Commerce Committee voted 49-0 Thursday to advance the Spectrum Coordination Act (HR-1341), one of several bills lobbyists think are likely to become a part of a spectrum policy legislative package lawmakers hope to enact later this year. Congressional leaders are trying to temporarily restore the FCC’s lapsed spectrum auction authority in hopes of giving negotiators more time to reach a deal (see 2303220077). Some top military officials, meanwhile, are breaking ranks with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the debate over repurposing parts of the 3.1-3.45 GHz band for commercial use, which has been a major hurdle in reaching a legislative compromise.
The Cherokee Nation said a new AT&T cell tower in Kenwood, Oklahoma, means people there no longer have to drive more than 10 miles to get mobile wireless service. The nation said it approached AT&T after getting American Rescue Plan Act funding. “COVID-19 highlighted the critical connectivity needs for the community, which includes Cherokee speakers,” said a Wednesday news release: “Reliable internet is needed to access tribal services, health care, emergency services, education and Cherokee language services.”