What's on the agenda for policymakers.
Agenda
Behold the Ides of March: March 2019 FCC Meeting Agenda
On March 15, we’ll aim to make progress on many of the issues core to the Federal Communications Commission’s mission: promoting US leadership on 5G, closing the digital divide, advancing public safety, modernizing our media rules, helping rural consumers, and more.
A hearing on the need for comprehensive data privacy and security legislation
An incisive look at the key issues and developments at the FCC. Invited speakers include CEOs, Wall Street analysts, Senior Officials and Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission.
Tall Tales and Title II
At a House hearing on net neutrality, the claims of Joseph Franell — the general manager and CEO of Eastern Oregon Telecom (“EOT”) — stood out like a sore thumb. He said, “The application of Title II as part of Net Neutrality had a dramatic chilling effect on rural telecom in the Pacific Northwest and I suspect the same could be said about the rest of the country.” He also said that since the repeal of the 2015 Federal Communications Commission order, “investors have been much more willing . . .
Title II Is the Best Way to Protect the Internet. Period.
People actually need Title II and all of the protections it provides for internet users. Here’s why.
Partisan Rift Threatens Federal Data-Privacy Law
In 2018, Congress set the stage to pass a sweeping consumer data-privacy law in 2019, but prospects for legislation are dimming amid sharpening divides among lawmakers over how far the federal government should go in reining in Big Tech. Silicon Valley and its Republican allies are pushing for a national standard that would override state regulations—including California’s landmark 2018 law, which broadens the definition of personal information and gives consumers the right to prevent their data from being sold.
"Window of Opportunity" will shine a light on the immense potential of the Educational Broadband Service (EBS) to address rural broadband access in even the most remote areas. The event includes an expert panel of current EBS license-holders and other groups using EBS to end the homework gap and digital divide as well as educators, rural Tribal Nations, and commercial partners seeking access to new EBS licenses. Panelists will share their success stories, and discuss how policymakers can enable others to follow suit:
Don't Hold Your Breath on Privacy
Senate Commerce Committee leaders signaled they do not expect to unveil a draft privacy bill along with the committee’s hearing on Feb. 27. “There won’t be any unveiling,” said Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS). “But I know a lot of people are working hard on various approaches.” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) echoed the remarks. “I don’t think it’s that close,” he said of the prospects of a draft bill unveiling at the hearing. Still, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said the panel’s working group has made “steady progress.”
Federal Trade Commission and Facebook are negotiating a record, multibillion-dollar fine for the company’s privacy lapses
Apparently, the Federal Trade Commission and Facebook are negotiating over a multi-billion dollar fine that would settle the agency’s investigation into the social media giant’s privacy practices. The fine would be the largest the agency has ever imposed on a technology company, but the two sides have not yet agreed on an exact amount. Facebook has expressed initial concern with the FTC’s demands. If talks break down, the FTC could take the matter to court in what would likely be a bruising legal fight.