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Submission + - Congress Wants FCC To Auction TV White Spaces (rollcall.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: Things don't look good for Google, Microsoft and other companies hoping to experiment with super WiFi and other technologies in unused TV channels or "White spaces". Both House Republicans and Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller are prodding the FCC to sell as much spectrum as possible at next year's incentive auction, which may not leave much for those hoping to advance the next generation of WiFi technology.

Submission + - DOJ: We don't need a warrant to track you (rollcall.com) 1

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: The Department of Justice maintains it does not need a warrant to track an individual using location data captured from their cellphone. That has prompted Maine and Montana to pass laws banning warrantless cellphone tracking; unfortunately, Congress doesn't appear close to doing the same.

Submission + - Congress Wants Federal Government to Sell 1755-1780 MHz spectrum band (rollcall.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: WIth next year's reverse auction of TV spectrum not expected to sate the wireless industry's growing demand for mobile broadband, lawmakers are turning up the heat on the Obama administration to auction the 1755-1780 MHz band, which is considered especially desirable for mobile phone use. However, the Pentagon and other federal agencies are already using those airwaves for everything from flying drones and surveillance to satellites and air combat training. They say it would take ten years and $18 billion just to vacate the band so it can be sold.

Submission + - House panel passes Internet Freedom legislation (rollcall.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed legislation on Wednesday once again affirming the current management structure of the Web. In doing so, the lawmakers made one thing clear: the only government that should have its hands on the underpinnings of the Internet is the U.S.
Government

Submission + - Zof Lofgren Wants To Slow Down Domain Seizures By ICE & DOJ (rollcall.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: Rep. Zoe Lofgren sat down with Roll Call to discuss her proposal to slow down the seizure of domain names accused of piracy by the federal government. Lofgren turned to Reddit for help formulating the bill, and also discussed whether her colleagues in Congress know enough about technology to make informed decisions on tech policy.
The Internet

Submission + - Verizon challenges FCC's net neutrality rules (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
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.
Crime

Submission + - Senators slam firm for online background check (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
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.
Government

Submission + - FCC to test opening white spaces up to public (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
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.
Government

Submission + - Survey shows support for new privacy laws (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
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.
Crime

Submission + - FCC ups penalties for caller ID "spoofing" (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
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.
Wireless Networking

Submission + - FCC plans to stop cell phone bill mystery fees (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
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.
Government

Submission + - Bill would mean free WiFi in all federal buildings (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: Sens. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced legislation on Friday that would require all public federal buildings to install WiFi base stations in order to free up cell phone networks.

The Federal Wi-Net Act would mandate the installation of small WiFi base stations in all publicly accessible federal buildings in order to increase wireless coverage and free up mobile networks. The bill would require all new buildings under construction to comply and all older buildings to be retrofitted by 2014. It also orders $15 million from the Federal Buildings Fund be allocated to fund the installations.
Businesses

Submission + - FCC to vote on net neutrality on December 21 (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: The FCC just released its tentative agenda for the December 21st open meeting, where the Commission will vote on whether to adopt rules to preserve net neutrality. According to the agenda the FCC will consider "adopting basic rules of the road to preserve the open Internet as a platform for innovation, investment, competition, and free expression." House Republicans have already promised to oppose any solution put forth by FCC chairman Julius Genachowski.
The Internet

Submission + - Tea Party win spells doom for net neutrality (thehill.com)

Submitted by GovTechGuy
GovTechGuy writes: Experts say the Republican takeover of the House means a likely end to the campaign for rules to enforce net neutrality. FCC chairman Julius Genachowski could still reclassify broadband as a telecom service, but doing so may cost his agency now that the GOP is holding the purse strings.
Image

Australian Visitors Must Declare Illegal Porn To Customs Officers 361

Posted by samzenpus from the don't-blunder-down-under dept.
Australian Justice Minister Brendan O'Connor has advised visitors to take a better safe than sorry policy when it comes to their porn stashes, and declare all porn that they think might be illegal with customs officers. From the article: "The government said it changed the wording on passenger arrival cards after becoming aware of confusion among travellers about what pornography to declare. 'People have a right to privacy and while some pornography is legal and does not need to be disclosed, all travellers should be aware that certain types of pornography are illegal and must be declared to customs,' Mr O'Connor said."

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