Regulation of technology and the Internet -- even regulation invited by some tech companies -- is chipping away at the nation's "historic commitment to innovation without permission," NCTA CEO Michael Powell said in a column posted Monday on CNET. Regulators "do not relish the sidelines" and jump into emerging markets based more often on hypotheticals than actual problems with the market, Powell wrote in his piece, "On the importance of 'regulatory humility.'" The problem is that policies built on predictions and hypothetical scenarios result in "a host of unintended consequences that disrupt markets," Powell said. "Ill-founded regulation is not harmless. Laws are easier to enact than to remove and usually remain long after the past due date. Regulatory agencies simply are not able to adapt quickly to continuing change." The past 20 years has brought "a fast-paced technological age largely free of government control and direction," Powell said. "The next 20 years holds even more promise but only if regulatory humility remains the highest virtue."
Regulation of technology and the Internet -- even regulation invited by some tech companies -- is chipping away at the nation's "historic commitment to innovation without permission," NCTA CEO Michael Powell said in a column posted Monday on CNET. Regulators "do not relish the sidelines" and jump into emerging markets based more often on hypotheticals than actual problems with the market, Powell wrote in his piece, "On the importance of 'regulatory humility.'" The problem is that policies built on predictions and hypothetical scenarios result in "a host of unintended consequences that disrupt markets," Powell said. "Ill-founded regulation is not harmless. Laws are easier to enact than to remove and usually remain long after the past due date. Regulatory agencies simply are not able to adapt quickly to continuing change." The past 20 years has brought "a fast-paced technological age largely free of government control and direction," Powell said. "The next 20 years holds even more promise but only if regulatory humility remains the highest virtue."
Regulation of technology and the Internet -- even regulation invited by some tech companies -- is chipping away at the nation's "historic commitment to innovation without permission," NCTA CEO Michael Powell said in a column posted Monday on CNET. Regulators "do not relish the sidelines" and jump into emerging markets based more often on hypotheticals than actual problems with the market, Powell wrote in his piece, "On the importance of 'regulatory humility.'" The problem is that policies built on predictions and hypothetical scenarios result in "a host of unintended consequences that disrupt markets," Powell said. "Ill-founded regulation is not harmless. Laws are easier to enact than to remove and usually remain long after the past due date. Regulatory agencies simply are not able to adapt quickly to continuing change." The past 20 years has brought "a fast-paced technological age largely free of government control and direction," Powell said. "The next 20 years holds even more promise but only if regulatory humility remains the highest virtue."
The UHD Alliance filed written notifications June 17 with the Justice Department and the FTC disclosing the identities of its members and “the nature and objectives of the venture,” the DOJ said in a public notice published in Friday’s Federal Register. The notifications were filed to give alliance members antitrust protections under the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993, the notice said. New members listed in the notice, but not previously disclosed as members by the alliance, include Amazon, Intel, MediaTek, Realtek Semiconductor and Toshiba. Those company names still were not posted on the alliance's website when we checked its member roster Friday. The alliance told DOJ and the FTC it wants to “create a framework to enable the global industries interested in premium next generation content related technologies,” including Ultra HD, high dynamic range, wide color gamut, high frame rate and next-gen audio, the notice said. It will “specify and develop requirements” for premium content, as well as for “related devices, distribution and other elements of a UHD Alliance-based ecosystem,” it said. The alliance also will “promote the global development and adoption” of specifications and spec-compliant “content, devices and services,” and will “provide clear definitions, industry guidelines and best practices on emerging technologies and collaborate with other standards development organizations,” it said. The alliance also will “develop and administer” compliance “testing methodologies and certification programs” based on its specs, establish a logo program for identifying certified products and services in the marketplace and will “promote the UHD Alliance brand and ecosystem to consumers,” it said. Completing work on a logo and certification program within a year was “the stated goal at launch” of the alliance on the eve of the January CES (see 1501050023), “and we’re on track” to finish that work by the end of 2015, Mark Turner, a vice president at founding alliance member Technicolor, told us last month (see 1506030045). The alliance also filed separate, but nearly identical, notifications with DOJ and the FTC, also on June 17, “in its capacity as a standards development organization,” said a second notice in the Federal Register, also published Friday.
The House Appropriations Committee cleared its proposed FY 2016 Department of Homeland Security budget Tuesday 32-17. The proposed $39.3 billion budget includes $1.6 billion for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), which oversees DHS cybersecurity programs. NPPD’s proposed funding includes $798 million for deployment of the third-generation Einstein intrusion detection system for federal networks. NPPD funding also includes allocations for modernizing emergency communications capabilities and to fund a replacement for the Automated Biometric Identification System. None of the six amendments to the proposed DHS budget that passed Tuesday affects DHS cybersecurity priorities. “This bill will ensure an active and well-equipped frontline, a secure border, and strong intelligence and cybersecurity operations that are paramount to keeping our nation safe,” House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., said in a statement.
The House Appropriations Committee cleared its proposed FY 2016 Department of Homeland Security budget Tuesday 32-17. The proposed $39.3 billion budget includes $1.6 billion for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), which oversees DHS cybersecurity programs. NPPD’s proposed funding includes $798 million for deployment of the third-generation Einstein intrusion detection system for federal networks. NPPD funding also includes allocations for modernizing emergency communications capabilities and to fund a replacement for the Automated Biometric Identification System. None of the six amendments to the proposed DHS budget that passed Tuesday affects DHS cybersecurity priorities. “This bill will ensure an active and well-equipped frontline, a secure border, and strong intelligence and cybersecurity operations that are paramount to keeping our nation safe,” House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky., said in a statement.
The Obama administration rejects “sequestration” spending levels in the House Homeland Security appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2016, said Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun Donovan in a July 13 letter to House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers, R-Ky. The letter makes no specific mention of trade-related functions. CBP is funded through DHS appropriations. “The inadequate overall funding levels in the Republicans' 2016 budget framework, along with misplaced priorities, cause a number of problems with the subcommittee bill specifically,” said the letter (here), referring to the DHS bill. “At these levels, the bill makes dangerous tradeoffs that would damage border security, weaken Federal emergency response, and limit national preparedness for future threats and hazards.” The House is marking the bill up on July 14. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its bill in June (see 1507090051).
Lifeline is an important program established 30 years ago and stuck in a time warp since, said FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn during a panel discussion about the service at NARUC’s summer committee meetings Monday in New York. The program has gone through some growing pains and challenges, but the FCC has never lost sight that Lifeline was created to act as a bridge for affordability, she said. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly made it clear that he is still unhappy with the lack of a budgetary cap on the program. He said that he has difficulty with where the FCC is on the program and where it seems to be going but that he is optimistic that the agency will be able to come up with a plan that all of the commissioners can support.
Lifeline is an important program established 30 years ago and stuck in a time warp since, said FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn during a panel discussion about the service at NARUC’s summer committee meetings Monday in New York. The program has gone through some growing pains and challenges, but the FCC has never lost sight that Lifeline was created to act as a bridge for affordability, she said. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly made it clear that he is still unhappy with the lack of a budgetary cap on the program. He said that he has difficulty with where the FCC is on the program and where it seems to be going but that he is optimistic that the agency will be able to come up with a plan that all of the commissioners can support.
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton issued a decree Friday making a temporary restraint on Arizona’s revenge porn law permanent, at least until the state legislature can address the constitutional issues presented by the language of the law. Issues for the state’s revenge porn law began after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on Sept. 23 challenging its constitutionality; the ACLU and its clients described the law as “overbroad” and containing a “viewpoint-based restriction on protected speech.” Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich agreed to a temporary stay of the case in November and hoped lawmakers would fix the law’s language, but the legislature adjourned in April without passing any changes.