Join NTIA for a series of virtual listening sessions starting in December 2021 focused on the new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, and additional funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.  These public virtual listening

Join NTIA for a series of virtual listening sessions starting in December 2021 focused on the new broadband grant programs authorized and funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program; the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program; and the Digital Equity Act Programs, which include the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program, State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, and Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, and additional funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.  These public virtual listening

This hearing will consider legislative solutions that address the dangers of online platforms’ use of technology to manipulate user experiences. Witnesses will discuss the need for greater transparency of automated processes and artificial intelligence, as well as policies to make platforms accountable for their use of algorithms designed to optimize engagement over harm to users.

WITNESSES

Witnesses

1. Courtenay Brown

   Amazon Associate At Avenel, NJ Fulfilment Center, Leader With United For Respect

   Newark , NJ

2. The Honorable Karl A. Racine

   Attorney General

   District of Columbia

   Washington , DC

3. Barry C. Lynn

   Executive Director

   Open Markets Institute

   Washington , DC

4. Justin Sherman

   Fellow And Research Lead, Data Brokerage Project Sanford School Of Public Policy

   Duke University

   Durham , NC

19 million U.S. veterans face a variety of health-care challenges, from toxic exposures to depression to chronic pain, many exacerbated by the digital divide. Join Washington Post Live on Monday, Dec. 6 at 9:00 a.m. ET as we hear from Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and a veterans’ advocate about the best ways to further improve health-care options, and calibrate strategies for veterans connecting with family, finding work and engaging with community.

Stream here: wapo.st/digitaldividedec2021

 News reports, whistleblower revelations, and academic research are providing a clearer view of the impact of social media applications on children and teens, especially on their mental health and wellbeing. Parents are deeply concerned about the product designs and powerful algorithms that push content to kids and create addiction-like behaviors. This hearing will address what Instagram knows about its impacts on young users, its commitments to reform, and potential legislative solutions.

WITNESS

• Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will convene three virtual Listening Sessions about issues and potential solutions at the intersection of privacy, equity, and civil rights. The sessions will help to provide the data for a report on the ways in which commercial data flows of personal information can lead to disparate impact and outcomes for marginalized or disadvantaged communities.

The meetings will be held on December 14, 15, and 16, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

The U.S. Is Poised to Begin Closing the Broadband Gap. Are You Prepared?

Working together, the government, broadband service providers, and NGOs have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to close the nation’s broadband gaps by tapping into more than $100 billion in federal funds tied to Covid relief, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the recent Infrastructure Investment Act.