26025164
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
House Oversight Chairman and former CEA chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) told Hillicon Valley on Friday that the massive online backlash to the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) has stopped the bill dead in the tracks. Issa said the Judiciary Committee's attempts to ram the bill through have been halted after the Internet erupted in opposition to the legislation this week.
24779704
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Sens. Mark Kirk and Ron Wyden used the 25th anniversary of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act to stump for a bill that would require police to obtain a warrant before using an individual's cell phone, laptop or other digital device to track their location. Under current law the government can access that data without a judge's approval, or even access a user's email account without first getting a warrant.
24337368
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Verizon filed an appea on Friday asking a federal court to strike down the FCC's net neutrality rules, which are scheduled to take effect on November 20. A federal judge tossed the FCC's previous attempt at enforcing net neutrality against Comcast last May and more legal challenges are expected in the coming days.
24055224
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Social Intelligence Corp's online employment screening service, which preserves users' social media profiles and other data for use by potential employers, infringes on consumers' privacy and could be a violation of the law according to Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Al Franken. The Senators wrote to Social Intelligence Corp on Monday demanding answers to a host of questions about the service and how it collects data.
23934782
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
The FCC will begin a test on Monday that will give the public access to "white spaces," the unused spectrum between TV and radio stations. The Commission is in the process of opening up the airwaves for public use; the last release of unlicensed airwaves eventually spawned a number of innovations such as WiFi, cordless phones and baby monitors. Officials hope this move will lead to better WiFi technology that can cover up to 50 miles.
23934458
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Federal officials told lawmakers that attacks against the U.S. financial industry are growing increasingly sophisticated and damaging, increasing the need for new security laws that will enable firms and the government to share information on attacks.
23701934
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
The Obama administration wants hackers to be prosecuted under the same laws used to target organized crime syndicates, according to two officials appearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday morning.
22572386
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Once thought to be a foregone conclusion, AT&T's proposed $39 billion acquisition ran into a stumbling block this week as the first real resistance emerged on the Hill in the form of Senate antitrust subpanel chairman Herb Kohl, who came out vehemently against the deal. Kohl's resistance has given heart to the opposition, also buoyed by a letter from a trio of prominent House Democrats who termed the deal a troubling step back towards the Ma Bell phone monopoly disbanded in the 1980s.
22182620
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Google chairman Eric Schmidt will testify at a September hearing in front of the Senate antitrust subpanel after the search giant backed off its earlier refusal to send either Schmidt or CEO Larry Page. Google appears to have reversed itself under the threat of a subpoena from the subpanel.
21969102
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
Two-thirds of consumers want the government to safeguard their privacy online and 81 percent want to add their names to a Do Not Track list, according to a May poll released Tuesday by Consumers Union. In addition, over 80 percent of respondents were concerned that companies may be sharing their personal information with third parties without their permission. The survey's release comes just one day before a Senate Commerce Committee hearing where lawmakers will hear testimony on three data privacy bills currently in front of the Senate.
21846954
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
The FCC adopted new rules on Thursday that would significantly increase the penalties for individuals or organizations that alter their caller ID information to commit fraud or with other harmful intent. The new rules allow the FCC to fine violators $10,000 per violation plus more for every day it continues. Users can still change their caller ID info as long as it's not for fraud or harmful purposes.
21821066
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
A new bill from Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) would force wireless carriers to provide consumers with information on the minimum data speeds for their 4G networks at both the point of sale as well as on all billing materials. The bill would also task the FCC with compiling a Consumer Reports-style comparison of the 4G data speeds at the top ten wireless carriers so customers can view a side-by-side comparison.
21770278
submission
GovTechGuy writes:
FCC chairman Julius Genachowski said Monday that his agency is going to make it harder for mobile carriers to hit customers with mystery fees on their monthly bills. The practice, known as "cramming," typically involves charging customers between $1.99 and $19.99 per month for services they either didn't use or didn't request. The FCC last week announced fines totaling nearly $12 million against four carriers for cramming last week.
