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  2. August 2017

August 2017

Got a Smartphone? Then You've Got Broadband!

It’s that time of year again. The Federal Communications Commission launched its annual inquiry into whether broadband (or, more formally, “advanced telecommunications capability”) is being deployed to all Americans in a “reasonable and timely fashion.” Although the FCC launched a proceeding in August 2016, asking a number of questions about broadband deployment, the commission did not issue a subsequent report. Under the leadership of Chairman Ajit Pai, the FCC is updating the inquiry and asking different questions. Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, in response, raised some concerns over how the inquiry is being framed, and how this may lead to a particular outcome. The results of this inquiry will be significant, as they dictate future FCC broadband policy.

FCC Extends Restoring Internet Freedom Reply Deadline to Aug. 30

By this Order, the Federal Communications Commission extends the deadline for filing reply comments in response to the Restoring Internet Freedom Notice of Proposed Rulemaking until August 30, 2017. The Restoring Internet Freedom Notice of Proposed Rulemaking set dates for filing comments and reply comments of July 17 and August 16, 2017, respectively. While it is the policy of the Commission that “extensions shall not be routinely granted,” we find that an extension of the reply comment deadline is appropriate in this case in order to allow interested parties to respond to the record in this proceeding. We find that permitting interested parties an additional two weeks in which to file their reply comments will allow parties to provide the Commission with more thorough comments, ensuring that the Commission has a complete record on which to develop its decisions.

Carr, Rosenworcel Sworn in as FCC Commissioners

The Federal Communications Commission is back at full strength. Brendan Carr has been sworn in as the newest member of the Republican majority and Jessica Rosenworcel has rejoined the commission with a new, five-year term. Both Carr and Rosenworcel were confirmed by the Senate last week. “I congratulate Brendan and Jessica on their swearing in and welcome them to the FCC as Commissioners," said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. "I’m pleased that the Commission is once again at full capacity. They will be valuable assets to the FCC, and I look forward to collaborating with them to close the digital divide, promote innovation, protect consumers, and improve the agency’s operations.”

Chairman Pai On Swearing In Of Brendan Carr And Jessica Rosenworcel

I congratulate Brendan and Jessica on their swearing in and welcome them to the FCC as Commissioners. I’m pleased that the Commission is once again at full capacity. They will be valuable assets to the FCC, and I look forward to collaborating with them to close the digital divide, promote innovation, protect consumers, and improve the agency’s operations.

Commissioner Carr Swearing in Statement

It is a tremendous honor and privilege to serve as a Commissioner of the FCC. I am grateful to President Trump for nominating me and to the United States Senate for confirming me to serve the American public in this capacity. I have had the privilege of working at the agency for over five years, and that experience has instilled in me a deep appreciation for the FCC’s work and its talented staff. Whether it is promoting broadband deployment, maintaining the United States’ leadership in wireless, or advancing public safety, I look forward to hitting the ground running and working with my colleagues at the Commission to serve the public interest.

Commissioner Rosenworcel on Being Sworn in as FCC Commissioner

I am honored and humbled to enjoy the privilege and responsibility of returning to serve as a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission. I firmly believe that the future belongs to the connected. No matter who you are or where you live, you need access to modern communications to have a fair shot at 21st century success. That’s why the Commission’s work is so important and I thank the President and the United States Senate for this opportunity. I pledge to fight to make sure that the public interest is served and everyone across this country has access to the best, most reliable communications in the world. I look forward to working with my fellow Commissioners and the exceptionally talented staff of the Federal Communications Commission.

Why I Was Fired by Google

[Commentary] I was fired by Google Aug 7 for a document that I wrote and circulated internally raising questions about cultural taboos and how they cloud our thinking about gender diversity at the company and in the wider tech sector. I suggested that at least some of the male-female disparity in tech could be attributed to biological differences (and, yes, I said that bias against women was a factor too). Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai declared that portions of my statement violated the company’s code of conduct and “cross the line by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.”

My 10-page document set out what I considered a reasoned, well-researched, good-faith argument, but as I wrote, the viewpoint I was putting forward is generally suppressed at Google because of the company’s “ideological echo chamber.” My firing neatly confirms that point. How did Google, the company that hires the smartest people in the world, become so ideologically driven and intolerant of scientific debate and reasoned argument? If Google continues to ignore the very real issues raised by its diversity policies and corporate culture, it will be walking blind into the future—unable to meet the needs of its remarkable employees and sure to disappoint its billions of users.

[Damore worked as a software engineer at Google’s Mountain View campus from 2013 until this past week.]

Twitter users want President Trump’s account suspended for ‘threatening violence’ against North Korea

Can a president be suspended from Twitter for threatening to attack another country? That's what some Twitter users, including actor and former Barack Obama aide Kal Penn, are demanding, after President Donald Trump tweeted Aug 11 that US “military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely.” Critics of the president's tweet say the rhetoric reflects a threat of violence against North Korea that violates Twitter's rules and terms of service.

Federal government takes down data on President Trump's DC hotel

The General Services Administration (GSA) pulled unredacted documents from its website Aug 10 that revealed President Donald Trump's Washington hotel has made $1.97 million in profits so far in 2017. "The documents were posted inadvertently and have been removed from the website," said Pamela Dixon, a spokeswoman for the GSA. Trump International Hotel, which sits blocks away from the White House, was expected to lose more than $2 million in its first four months, according to the documents. But the hotel raised its room rates after Trump took office, charging an average of $652.98 per night from January to April and resulting in a sizable profit. Comparable luxury hotels, according to The Washington Post, charged an average of $495 per night, putting Trump's hotel among Washington's most expensive. The Trump Organization leases the building in which the hotel is located from the GSA, the agency that acts as the federal government's landlord. The hotel has also become a point of controversy for the president, with ethics watchdogs questioning whether Trump is using the presidency to drum up business at the hotel.

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