Tribal libraries may soon get the clarity they sought on E-rate eligibility rules, as industry and tribal groups widely approved, in comments posted Tuesday in docket 02-6, FCC-proposed updates to the definition of an eligible library (see 2110010070). Some said more is needed to encourage participation.
Wireless interests told the FCC any rules aimed at preventing SIM swap and port-out fraud shouldn't make it too difficult for consumers to change wireless carriers, per docket 21-341 comments that were due Monday. Princeton's Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), citing a study it did of SIM swap safeguards at the five major wireless carriers, said the companies are guilty of "pervasive insecurity." The Rural Wireless Association (RWA) urged reissue of the customer authentication and data encryption measures that were part of 2016's repealed broadband privacy order. The FCC adopted a SIM-swapping/port-out fraud NPRM 4-0 at September's meeting (see 2109300069).
Privacy laws in Virginia and Colorado show it’s possible to establish an effective legal framework without a private right of action, House Commerce Committee ranking member Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., told an FCBA event Tuesday. She urged Congress to pass a “forward-thinking, pro-innovation,” national privacy standard.
The Oregon Health Authority “accepts some criticisms” about a 2020 report that found insufficient evidence that cellphone exposure can cause cancer, said Center for Health Protection Administrator Andre Ourso at an Oregon Senate Education Committee virtual hearing Monday. Ourso generally defended the agency’s work after RF safety advocates urged state lawmakers to retract the report.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is likely to get a warmer GOP reception at her Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing than fellow Democratic commission nominee Gigi Sohn will get at a to-be-scheduled December panel, lawmakers and lobbyists told us. Some observers believe FTC nominee Alvaro Bedoya, who’s also to appear Wednesday, will draw more attention because of some of the agency’s recent actions under Chair Lina Khan. The hearing will begin in 253 Russell immediately after a 10 a.m. meeting that will include votes on National Institute of Standards and Technology director nominee Laurie Locascio, the Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act (S-594) and American Cybersecurity Literacy Act (S-2699).
The FCC and National Treasury Employees Union agreed on reentry plans, per a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) and an agency email obtained by Communications Daily. The NTEU confirmed that the sides completed collective bargaining over the multiphase reentry plan Friday. They agreed to further evaluate “the post-pandemic workplace environment” after the start of the reentry plan’s final phase, according to the MOU provided to staff Monday.
Amazon violated California labor law when it concealed from warehouse workers state-required information about COVID-19 cases in the workplace, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) alleged Monday. Amazon would be required to change its practices under a stipulated judgment agreed upon by the state and the company. Also Monday, California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) Executive Director Ashkan Soltani said the fledgling agency is focused on speeding up staffing as it develops and prepares to enforce updated state privacy rules.
FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks expects a resolution of FAA concerns that C-band deployments will cause harmful interference to air safety systems (see 2111100068), but that could include replacing some equipment, he told a virtual New Street 5G conference Monday. Verizon agreed to a one-month delay as a show of “good faith” and still plans to turn on C-band sites in January, an executive said.
The Senate is likely to consider its own version of the House-passed FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (HR-4350) this week via a substitute version of the legislation from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., and “may add” the chamber-passed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (S-1260) to the measure, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told senators Sunday. The House passed HR-4350 in September (see 2109240067) with language from the 911 Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act (HR-2351) and Promoting U.S. Wireless Leadership Act (HR-3003). Senators are vying to attach some other tech and telecom amendments to the measure, including dueling amendments on Ligado’s L-band plans.
Congress has more momentum for passing mandatory cyber reporting requirements than ever, but the two chambers face an uphill climb in reconciling specifics, experts told us.