Upcoming event
The Federal Communications Commission is making big changes in US communications policy, including setting the stage for deployment of 5G wireless networks, working to ensure availability in broadband services in rural America, and paring back outdated media regulations — all while reforming its processes and structure.
Some of the most insidious security breaches by any adversary into US infrastructure, organizations and networks go undetected. It is the mission of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) to lead a whole-of-nation counterintelligence and security effort – all of US Government, and the US private sector – to protect against penetrations of our government, information networks, and academia, by foreign and other adversaries.
What if a single policy could impact American democracy, culture, and competitiveness? What if that policy might either empower citizens and consumers, or burden them? And what if the decision on that policy sparked a frenzy of legislative proposals, judicial challenges, and citizen outrage, all across the country?
To date, more than 50% of Americans have cut landline phone service, and roughly half of U.S. adults now own tablet computers. Time spent with online video exceeds 1.25 hours per day, on average, for U.S. adults, and seven-in-ten Americans are social media users.
The broadband ecosystem has rapidly evolved over the last two decades. Consumer technologies have advanced, online activities have expanded, connectivity has improved, and the power of internet giants has grown. Privacy rights and preserving an Open Internet are on consumers’ minds.
The Supreme Court will hear a case dealing with whether states can require out-of-state retailers to collect sales tax when their residents make a purchase online. The Court previously held in North Dakota v. Quill Corp. that retailers must have a physical presence in the state in order to be required to collect state sales tax. Now many states argue that in the age of Internet shopping, they are missing out on billions of dollars in lost sales tax revenue.
GW Law's Global Internet Freedom Project and the GW Law Alumni Association host a Q&A and panel on the law of Net Neutrality. With recent changes to the law the panel will discuss implications and what the recent repeal means moving forward.
The event will open with a Q&A between Frank Montero, JD ‘86 and FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn (appointed in 2009, former acting Chairwoman of the FCC). Following the Q&A is a panel discussing the impact of Net Neutrality.
Panelists
The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica (CA) controversy has it all – big tech, privacy, the Trump campaign, and the never-ending attempt to relitigate the 2016 election. It even managed to push Stormy Daniels off the front page.
The question now is what, if anything, policymakers should do in response and what the outcome will be. With Facebook pledging reforms, users demanding more transparency and lawmakers considering legislative fixes, the fallout from this issue could reshape how consumers’ data is used and shared – with lasting effects on our online lives.
BroadbandUSA’s Practical Conversations have showcased how cities and communities are using technology to solve local issues. Now, join us for the April webinar to find out how states are using smart technology and policy to enhance economic development and quality of life for their urban, suburban and rural communities.