US House of Representatives
Reps McNerney (D-CA), Latta (R-OH) Launch Bipartisan Wi-Fi Caucus
In an effort to provide a much-needed forum for Members of Congress and staff to learn about Wi-Fi-related issues affecting their constituents, Reps Jerry McNerney (D-CA) and Bob Latta (R-OH) announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Wi-Fi Caucus to open a dialogue about appropriate policy solutions that can address today’s pressing concerns. Wi-Fi is the primary technology for internet access, delivering more than half of all internet traffic and over sixty percent of mobile network traffic offload.
Rep Eshoo Introduces Legislation to Increase Transparency of Telephone, Cable and Internet Fees
Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) introduced the Truth-In-Billing, Remedies, and User Empowerment over Fees (‘TRUE Fees’) Act, legislation that requires phone, cable and Internet providers to include all charges in the prices they advertise for service, and provides remedies for consumers when they have been wrongfully charged. Specifically, the True Fees Act requires cable and Internet providers to include all charges in the prices they advertise for service; allows customers to end their contract without early termination fees if the provider increases fees during the term of the contract; prevents a
A Time for Tech Transparency
[Commentary] Millions of Americans use social media to get their news, and that number is growing rapidly by the year. But when they log on, they don’t always get the full story. Powerful social media companies are filtering the information that users receive on their platforms. As a result, the picture we get of politics is partial and distorted, like a carnival mirror. Twitter’s subtle censorship targeted conservatives, and seemingly only conservatives.
Rep Collins Introduces Legislation to Address 9-1-1 Fee Diversion
Rep Chris Collins (R-NY) introduced legislation that prevents states from diverting fees collected from consumers on their phone bills, which are meant to be used to improve 9-1-1 emergency communications systems. The Federal Communications Commission has found that New York diverts at least 41 percent of 9-1-1 fees that are collected for other non-public safety related purposes. Rep Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Rep Leonard Lance (D-NJ), co-authored the bill and have also seen 9-1-1 fee diversion in their home states.
Rep Dingell Urges FCC and FTC to Investigate Further Privacy Violations by Cambridge Analytica and other Data Collection Companies
Rep Debbie Dingell (D-MI) continued to urge the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether consumers’ viewing and other personal information was improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica. Rep Dingell followed-up with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and FTC Commissioner Joseph Simmons to stress the importance of protecting consumers privacy amongst news that Cambridge Analytica improperly collected and shared information from set-top cable boxes.
Rep Lieu Introduces Bill to Standardize National Encryption Policy
Reps Ted Lieu (D-CA), Mike Bishop (R-MI), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and Jim Jordan (R-OH) reintroduced the Ensuring National Constitutional Rights for Your Private Telecommunications (ENCRYPT) Act. The legislation would preempt state and local government encryption laws to ensure a uniform, national policy for the interstate issue of encryption technology.
Reps Khanna, Ratcliffe Introduce Legislation for More Efficient Digital Government
Reps Ro Khanna (D-CA) and John Ratcliffe (R-TX) introduced legislation to improve citizens’ interaction with the federal government online, while reducing the cost of assistance from federal agencies. The 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA) will lower federal costs and increase efficiency by digitizing government processes and establishing minimum standards for federal websites, including mobile-friendly interfaces in compliance with the latest security protocols.
Rep Khanna Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Study Effects of Broadband on the Economy
Reps Ro Khanna (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), and Ryan Costello (R-PA) introduced a bipartisan bill, the Measuring the Economic Impact of Broadband Act, to require the Bureau of Economic Analysis to conduct a study of the effects of broadband deployment and adoption on the US economy. The legislation empowers policymakers to make more informed decisions about broadband, connecting underserved communities and keeping America competitive in a digital world.
Rep Mike Coffman Outlines a Net Neutrality Compromise
I am crafting a “net neutrality” bill that will put in place common-sense “rules of the road” that will ensure the Internet is an open, competitive place for people to do business. To those who provide the on-ramps to the Internet, my bill ensures that they will not: (1) block, (2) throttle, or (3) establish paid prioritization. It further requires Internet service providers to be transparent in their network management practices. In short, consumers are the ones who decide which websites or applications are best for them, not a third party.