Emerging technologies are affecting how Congress considers revising the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), lawmakers and witnesses said Wednesday at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Protecting consumer privacy, while allowing law enforcement to obtain information in investigations, is critical, they said.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission will hold a public hearing on April 13, 2011, to address “China’s Current and Emerging Foreign Policy Priorities," which will examine emerging issues and new interest groups in Chinese foreign policy, as well as its relationships with select countries of concern to the U.S. in the context of the national security implications of the U.S. bilateral trade and economic relationship with China.
GENEVA -- A major ITU treaty conference in 2012 may deal with the economics of the international telecom transport mechanism, numbering misuse, and possibly cybersecurity and quality of service, said officials familiar with preparations. The first meeting this week in a new round of preparatory talks is building on discussions that started in 1998. Talks on Internet governance issues are possible but probably unlikely, American telecom lawyer Herb Marks told us. A 2010 policy-setting conference prompted the preparations, officials said.
GENEVA -- A major ITU treaty conference in 2012 may deal with the economics of the international telecom transport mechanism, numbering misuse, and possibly cybersecurity and quality of service, said officials familiar with preparations. The first meeting this week in a new round of preparatory talks is building on discussions that started in 1998. Talks on Internet governance issues are possible but probably unlikely, American telecom lawyer Herb Marks told us. A 2010 policy-setting conference prompted the preparations, officials said.
Europe needs a space policy that delivers social benefits to citizens and drives innovation, the European Commission said in a statement to the European Parliament and Council of Ministers Monday. Priorities now are global satellite navigation system Galileo and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, climate change monitoring, security, competitiveness and space exploration, it said. Satellite communications is a significant part of the space market because orders for that equipment provide regular work for the launch sector, helping to give the EU and its members independent access to space, the EC said. But the EU, European Space Agency and national governments also quickly need a policy that reflects the specific needs of each sub-sector in order to spur steady, balanced development of the entire industrial base, more global competition, and the creation of a market for European space products and services, it said. Communications satellites generate the most revenue in the space industry in Europe and elsewhere, it said. Satellites can help deliver the digital agenda, and advanced technologies developed for those satellites, such as reuse of public sector information, can foster new services for Europeans such as automatic emergency calls in vehicles, it said. To maintain its lead in satellite communications, there must be research at EU level and enough spectrum available to make such systems operational, it said.
EU members have made progress in protecting critical information infrastructures from cyberattacks, but better computer emergency response teams are needed quickly, the European Commission said Friday. Recent events such as the assault on the EC and its external action service show that new, more-sophisticated cyberthreats can disrupt or destroy vital social and economic functions, it said. The events highlight the need for an efficient network of government and national CERTs in Europe by 2012, it said. The report’s main findings were that: (1) Most EU countries now have CERTs. (2) Inter-governmental cooperation is better because of regular discussions on good policy practices in the European Forum for Member States. (3) Establishing the European Public-Private Partnership for Resilience was key to engaging industry in boosting security levels in the digital environment. The report also recommended ways to increase international cooperation in cybersecurity, including developing a European cyberincident contingency plan by next year, and organizing regular national and pan-European exercises. The EC said it will promote global principles for Internet stability and resilience; set up strategic partnerships with key non-EU nations, especially, the U.S.; and seek the best governance strategies for emerging technologies such as cloud computing.
A wireless booster rulemaking notice is scheduled for a vote at Thursday’s FCC meeting, after concerns raised by Verizon Wireless and public safety were addressed in recent days. The order was placed on the sunshine agenda circulated by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, cutting off further lobbying at the FCC. The FCC is also slated to vote on a data roaming order as well as high-profile orders on pole attachments and the video relay service program, among other items.
GameStop plans to nationally launch a game streaming service in 2012 in the U.S., President Tony Bartel said Friday at its first “Investor Day,” webcast from Southlake, Texas, after the chain said it bought streaming technology company Spawn Labs for an undisclosed price. There will first be a private beta test in an unspecified “limited geographical setting,” and that will be followed by a national private beta test with its PowerUp Rewards loyalty program members, he said. Both tests will be done this year, he said. Planned are a subscription service for PowerUp members and a “try-before-you-buy” option, he said.
GameStop plans to nationally launch a game streaming service in 2012 in the U.S., President Tony Bartel said Friday at its first “Investor Day,” webcast from Southlake, Texas, after the chain said it bought streaming technology company Spawn Labs for an undisclosed price. There will first be a private beta test in an unspecified “limited geographical setting,” and that will be followed by a national private beta test with its PowerUp Rewards loyalty program members, he said. Both tests will be done this year, he said. Planned are a subscription service for PowerUp members and a “try-before-you-buy” option, he said.
The International Trade Administration is extending the comment period for the public to identify unnecessary regulatory divergences in North America that can impede U.S. exports. According to ITA, it will work cooperatively with Mexico and Canada to address the concerns that are raised.