Reuters
FCC to publish net neutrality rules on Feb 22
Apparently, the Federal Communications Commission is slated to publish on Feb 22 its order scrapping network neutrality rules. The official publication of the measure in the Federal Register will start the clock on the 60-day window that Congress has to pass a resolution reversing the FCC’s order to get rid of net neutrality rules. The order’s publication will open the door for state attorneys general and advocacy groups to launch lawsuits aimed at preserving the rules.
Facebook loses Belgian privacy case, faces fine up to $125 million
A Belgian court threatened Facebook with a fine of up to 100 million euros ($125 million) if it continued to break privacy laws by tracking people on third party websites. In a case brought by Belgium’s privacy watchdog, the court also ruled on Feb 16 that Facebook had to delete all data it had gathered illegally on Belgian citizens, including people who were not Facebook users themselves.
What We Heard From Four FTC Nominees
The Senate Commerce Committee convened a hearing for the president’s nominees to serve as Federal Trade Commissioners:
Former Stanford University President John Hennessy replaces Eric Schmidt as Alphabet's Executive Chairman (Reuters)
Submitted by benton on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 09:31Cuba hands note of protest to U.S. over internet task force
Cuba handed a note of protest to the top U.S. diplomat in Havana on Jan 31 over the Trump administration’s creation of a Cuba Internet Task Force that it said was an attempt to violate its sovereignty and carry out subversive activities. The U.S. State Department said recently it was convening the task force to promote “the free and unregulated flow of information” on the Communist-run island that has one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world. The group would examine ways of “expanding internet access and independent media”, it said.
Viacom, CBS CEOs discuss potential merger (Reuters)
Submitted by benton on Fri, 01/26/2018 - 09:43Pennsylvania court orders new congressional map due to gerrymandering (Reuters)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 16:24Apparently, U.S. lawmakers urge AT&T to cut commercial ties with Huawei
Apparently, US lawmakers are urging AT&T to cut commercial ties to Chinese phone maker Huawei Technologies Co Ltd and oppose plans by telecom operator China Mobile Ltd to enter the US market because of national security concerns. The warning comes after the administration of President Donald Trump took a harder line on policies initiated by his predecessor Barack Obama on issues ranging from Beijing’s role in restraining North Korea to Chinese efforts to acquire U.S. strategic industries.