A look at how companies try to reach potential customers.
Advertising
Let’s not make the same mistakes with AI that we made with social media
Artificial intelligence, like social media, it has the potential to change the world in many ways, some favorable to democracy. But at the same time, it has the potential to do incredible damage to society. There is a lot we can learn about social media’s unregulated evolution over the past decade that directly applies to AI companies and technologies. These lessons can help us avoid making the same mistakes with AI that we did with social media. In particular, five fundamental attributes of social media have harmed society. AI also has those attributes:
Charter Agrees To Modify Spectrum Mobile Ad Per NAD Recommendation
Charter Communications has agreed to modify disclosures in its ad campaign after once again receiving a warning from the National Advertising Division (NAD). This time, it’s regarding Charter’s recent commercial claim that Verizon customers "will save over $1,500 in their first year if they switch to Spectrum Mobile." The commercial features two couples, "George and Heidi" with Verizon, and "Dan and Tina" with Spectrum, both stated to have two lines, unlimited data and nationwide 5G. George and Tina are told they pay "way too much" and decide to switch to Spectrum.
Federal Trade Commission’s Alvaro Bedoya says laws to keep teens off social media won’t work
As government officials increasingly scrutinize how digital platforms may harm kids, a growing number of states are proposing sweeping restrictions to limit their access to social media. But a top federal enforcer active on kids’ safety issues said that he opposes such limits, arguing they are unlikely to work and may run afoul of the Constitution. “Meet a teenager, they will find a way to get around that,” said Federal Trade Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya.
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/fcc-official-logo-tn_801.jpg?itok=7cHo5S_t)
Chairwoman Rosenworcel's Response to Senator Lujan Regarding Proposals to Modify the Contribution Base for the Universal Service Fund
On Dec 12, 2023, Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel requesting input on proposals to modify the contribution base for the Universal Service Fund (USF).
![](https://www.benton.org/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/consumerreports1.png?itok=IAx27VeG)
Who Shares Your Information With Facebook?
The overall scope of data sharing and targeted advertising that occurs on Facebook is immense. No one should be shocked to see ads for items they previously searched for, or to be asked if their data can be shared with an unknown number of “partners.” But what is the scale of this surveillance?
NOVOS Fiber Doesn’t Want You to Call Its Internet Service a Utility
NOVOS FiBER publicized itself with an announcement that Arlington (TX)will soon have a new broadband provider. NOVOS FiBER was founded in 2022, funded by InLight Capital, a private investment firm based in Sugar Land (TX). NOVOS Fiber is entering both the retail and wholesale markets and plans to serve a “significant number” of homes over the next two years. First focusing on Texas, NOVOS will eventually expand beyond state lines. Founder and CEO Andrew Snead said he and the company have a strong conviction to go against the grain of the “internet service is primarily a utility” mentality.
Florida Provider Wire 3: Megabit Broadband Speeds Are “Obsolete”
Announcements about multi-gigabit fiber broadband offerings are not as exciting today as they were a year or two ago, now that more and more providers are offering those speeds.
New TV ads go after UTOPIA and other government-run internet providers
A new TV ad is running in Utah, criticizing government-run internet providers. The ads are part of a $1 million blitz to warn about problems associated with municipal internet systems, including high costs and a lack of regulatory oversight. The Domestic Policy Caucus is running them under the name NoGovInternet.com. The campaign makes the argument that government should not be involved in providing internet access.
News Publishers Are Fighting Big Tech Over Peanuts. They Could Be Owed Billions.
A bitter battle is taking place between Big Tech and the free press over how to share in the income that news content generates for technology giants. The future of our news ecosystem, a linchpin of democracy, depends on the outcome. Platforms gained their audience in part by sharing news content free.
Advertising Watchdog Tells Charter to Soften Claims About T-Mobile Home Internet
Charter will comply with a series of recommendations made by The National Advertising Division (NAD) of Better Business Bureau (BBB) National Programs about certain claims the company has made about T-Mobile fixed wireless offerings, known as T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and T-Mobile Internet Lite. NAD recommends that Charter discontinue claims made in the “Game Time” and "Move Out" commercials, which suggest that T-Mobile Home Internet services provide “spotty,” “glitchy,” and unusable service, and that T-Mobile Home Internet is too slow for five people to use simultaneously.