Devices

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking public comment on a proposal to create a voluntary cybersecurity labeling program that would provide consumers with clear information about the security of their internet-enabled devices, commonly called “Internet of Things” (IoT) or “smart” devices.

The Federal Communications Commission committed $46.3 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, which provides digital tools and services to support students in communities across the country. The funding supports applications from the third application window, benefitting approximately 125,000 students nationwide, including students in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oregon, and Washington. The funding will support approximately 250 schools and school districts, 13 libraries and library systems, and 2 consortia.

Distracted driving has become a pressing problem in the 21st century, with a world of connection sitting in our pockets or on the dash as we drive along.

Republic Wireless, once a pioneer in the “Wi-Fi first” movement, will stop operating as a stand-alone wireless brand. Dish acquired the business in 2021 and is moving all Republic customers over to Boost Infinite.

Tecore Networks, a perennial innovator in cellular networking infrastructure and private network operations, reached a significant milestone in its efforts to combat the illegal use of contraband cellular devices in correctional facilities and other secured government environments.

T-Mobile will appeal several decisions made by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of BBB National Programs to challenges brought by AT&T. The decisions involved “Phone Freedom” ads that appeared in television commercials, radio advertisements, and on T-Mobile’s website. The good news for T-Mobile is that NAD found at least one claim made in the “Phone Freedom” campaign to be supported. The bad news for T-Mobile is that some claims were not found to be supported.

As part of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Senate passed bipartisan consumer protection legislation co-sponsored by Commerce Committee Chair Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) to require pre-purchase disclosures for smart devices and appliances that have built-in microphones or cameras capable of recording or transmitting data.

T-Mobile reported second quarter 2023 results, delivering industry-best growth in postpaid customers driven by growth in postpaid phone gross additions coupled with the lowest postpaid phone churn in the industry for the first time ever.

Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) introduced the Anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Espionage via Social Media (ACES) to counter the national security threat posed by the Chinese platform TikTok. This bill forces TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to divest all its assets in America. This bill:

In recognition of the 33^rd Anniversary of the American Disabilities Act (ADA), the Biden-Harris administration is taking new steps to strengthen the ADA and improve online accessibility to state and local services for the nearly 50 million people with disabilities with vision, hearing, cognitive, and manual dexterity disabilities. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is proposing a new rule that would establish accessibility standards for state and local governments’ web and mobile app-based services.