press release

The US Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Fourth Amendment when they ruled in David Leon Riley v. State of California and United States v. Brima Wurie that officers of the law must obtain warrants before they can search the cellphones of arrestees.

In response to the victorious court decision, Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Washington Office, released the following statement:

“In the past few years, our cell phones have become mobile libraries capable of storing massive amounts of personal and private data about our lives. The Constitution does not give law enforcement the right to conduct unlawful searches of our cell phones -- many of which contain immensely personal information, such as our private conversations, photos, videos, banking information and website history.

"In the same manner that we would not allow police officers to search unlawfully through our home library bookshelves without a warrant, we cannot allow government officials to search freely through our cell phones.

"We applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold basic privacy principles granted by the Fourth Amendment. As we work to advocate for increased privacy protections from our government, we are encouraged that the US Supreme Court would rule in favor of protecting the nation’s constitutional checks and balances.”

After a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved final orders that settle charges against 14 companies for falsely claiming to participate in the international privacy framework known as the US-EU Safe Harbor.

Three of the companies were also charged with similar violations related to the US-Swiss Safe Harbor.

The FTC previously announced the settlements in January, February and May of 2014 with the following companies: American Apparel, Apperian, Atlanta Falcons Football Club, Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, BitTorrent, Charles River Laboratories International, DataMotion, DDC Laboratories, Fantage, Level 3 Communications, PDB Sports, d/b/a Denver Broncos Football Club, Reynolds Consumer Products, Receivable Management Services Corporation, and Tennessee Football.

Under the settlements, the companies are prohibited from misrepresenting the extent to which they participate in any privacy or data security program sponsored by the government or any other self-regulatory or standard-setting organization.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) has launched the Latino Experts Program, funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation and created to increase the visibility of Latino experts in local news coverage.

NHMC president and CEO Alex Nogales training Latino leaders to speak in media. Over a two-year span, NHMC trained more than 100 Latino leaders, representing various fields of expertise and based in 12 television markets, to speak in media.

“Latinos are an integral part of the American social fabric, but you wouldn’t know that from watching the news,” said Alex Nogales, President and CEO of NHMC, a multiple Emmy Award-winning producer who led the trainings. “It’s time for the media to reflect reality. There are thousands upon thousands of Latino experts in their field, working to make this country better for all Americans. Latino views and faces are essential for balanced and responsible coverage, and yet they are still largely excluded. We now have the opportunity to transform this by elevating Latino perspectives on the issues shaping our country.”

NHMC has provided lists of these experts as resources for local television stations to ensure a wider range of viewpoints on their news and public affairs programs.

Andrew Woelfling, a top aide to Rep John Dingell (D-MI), has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA).

His appointment becomes effective on June 30.

Said OLA Director Sara Morris, “Andrew’s firm grasp of communications and consumer protection issues along with his invaluable experience in congressional affairs will help ensure good communications between the FCC and Capitol Hill.”

Woelfling currently serves as Rep Dingell’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. His major areas of legislative and policy focus have included consumer protection, the upcoming 600 MHz broadcast incentive auction, and federal spectrum policy.

Prior to working for Rep Dingell, Woelfling was a professional staff member on the House Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, chaired by Rep Bobby Rush (D-IL). He also worked at the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association and DaimlerChrysler in each organization’s government affairs divisions.

Tablets, especially for younger owners, are an extension of the TV viewing experience. According to the new Connected TV App Discovery Report from NPD Connected Intelligence while watching TV, 56 percent of US tablet owners age 18-34 use their tablet for activities related to the TV program they are watching or for other programming related activities.

This compares to just 41 percent among all tablet owners age 18 and older. The top three TV-related tablet activities among Millennials are; searching for programing to watch (34 percent), social media engagement related to a TV program (31 percent) and learning more about the program they are viewing (30 percent).

Even more tablet owners age 18-34 say they want to use their device in conjunction with TV viewing in the future and social media is a driving factor. Among Millennial tablet owners, 44 percent said they would consider using their device in the future for social media activity related to a TV program making it the number one way this age group wants to engage while watching TV.

House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) responded to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler’s latest proposal regarding the Universal Service Fund’s Schools and Library and Program, expressing his support.

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced that the following items will be on the tentative agenda for the next open meeting scheduled for July 11, 2014:

• Modernizing E-Rate to Deliver Digital Learning: The Commission will consider a Report and Order to modernize the E-Rate program and expand support for WiFi connectivity for schools and libraries. The R&O seeks to close the WiFi gap, make E-Rate dollars go farther, and deliver faster, simpler and more efficient applications and other processes.
• Connect America Fund Rural Broadband Experiments: The Commission will consider a Report and Order establishing a budget and a methodology for selecting winning applications for the Connect America rural broadband experiments adopted by the Commission in the January Tech Transitions Order.
• Closed Captioning of Internet Protocol-Delivered Video Clips: The Commission will consider a Second Order on Reconsideration and a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that revisits the Commission’s determinations regarding the captioning of video clips when delivered using Internet protocol, ensuring that individuals with hearing disabilities are able to enjoy the full benefits of broadband technology.

The Justice Department and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released the following joint statement: Consistent with the President’s March proposal, in May, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3361, the USA FREEDOM Act, which would, if enacted, create a new mechanism for the government to obtain this telephony metadata pursuant to individual orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, rather than in bulk. The bill also prohibits bulk collection through the use of Section 215, FISA pen registers and trap and trace devices, and National Security Letters.

Overall, the bill’s significant reforms would provide the public greater confidence in our programs and the checks and balances in the system, while ensuring our intelligence and law enforcement professionals have the authorities they need to protect the Nation.

The Administration strongly supports the USA FREEDOM Act. We urge the Senate to swiftly consider it, and remain ready to work with Congress to clarify that the bill prohibits bulk collection as noted above, as necessary.

Given that legislation has not yet been enacted, and given the importance of maintaining the capabilities of the Section 215 telephony metadata program, the government has sought a 90-day reauthorization of the existing program, as modified by the changes the President announced in early 2014. Consistent with prior declassification decisions, in light of the significant and continuing public interest in the telephony metadata collection program, the Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, has declassified the fact that the government’s application to renew the program was approved by the FISC.

The order expires on Sept 12, 2014. The Administration is undertaking a declassification review of this most recent court order and an accompanying memorandum opinion for publication.

Chairman Tom Wheeler circulated an E-Rate Modernization proposal to his fellow Commissioners to revitalize the E-Rate program for the world of personalized learning.

During the past 18 years, E-Rate has helped transform schools’ and libraries’ access to modern communications networks. But educational connectivity has changed: whereas once it was revolutionary to connect a computer lab down the hall to the Internet, harnessing the full value of digital learning today means enabling all students to go online from their desk or from any library workspace.

Modernizing E-Rate to deliver digital learning to more kids faster
Chairman Wheeler’s proposed Order is the next major step in a comprehensive modernization of E-Rate, the first such effort since the program’s creation 18 years ago. The draft Order is focused on the largest and most urgent need -- closing the Wi-Fi gap -- while ensuring E-Rate money is spent smartly and improving program administration. It is the next step in what will be an ongoing process to modernize the E-rate program.

Building on Success
Today’s proposed order would build on the top-to-bottom administrative review of E-rate that was the first stage of Chairman Wheeler’s comprehensive, step-wise approach to modernization. This administrative review is already delivering huge dividends by allocating more funds and processing E-rate applications faster.

Bringing E-Rate into the 21st Century

• The E-Rate program has played a vital role in connecting US schools and libraries -- but often those connections are to a few computers along the wall rather than each student having access at his or her desk.
• New digital learning technologies are opening new opportunities for students, teachers and library patrons.
• But too many US schools and libraries lack the infrastructure necessary to fully utilize today’s learning technologies -- particularly when it comes to Wi-Fi in the classroom.
• E-Rate rules need to be updated to close the Wi-Fi gap.

The Federal Communications Commission plans to issue the largest fine in its history against CTS Technology, Limited, a Chinese electronics manufacturer and online retailer, for allegedly marketing 285 models of signal jamming devices to US consumers for more than two years.

The FCC applied the maximum fine allowed to each jammer model allegedly marketed by CTS, resulting in a planned fine of $34,912,500. “All companies, whether domestic or foreign, are banned from marketing illegal jammers in the US,” said Travis LeBlanc, Acting Chief of the Enforcement Bureau. “Signal jammers present a direct danger to public safety, potentially blocking the communications of first responders.

Operating a jammer is also illegal, and consumers who do so face significant civil and criminal penalties.” CTS operates a website that markets consumer electronics to individuals in the United States, where it allegedly misled US consumers by falsely claiming that certain signal jammers were approved by the FCC.

In addition to the planned $34,912,500 fine, the Commission is ordering CTS to cease marketing illegal signal jammers to US consumers and provide information to the FCC about any persons and entities in the United Sates that purchased its devices.