The FCC’s updated data breach notification rule, adopted Dec. 13, released Dec. 21 and published in the Federal Register Feb. 12, is a “brazen effort to claim regulatory authority” that Congress declined to confer under the Communications Act, but also “specifically rejected” under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), said the consolidated opening brief Wednesday in the 6th U.S. Circuit Appeals Court of five petitioners that seek to invalidate the rule (see 2402210026).

The House Innovation Subcommittee on Thursday passed a federal privacy bill and a kids’ privacy bill despite objections to the latter from House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J.

Mission Broadcasting’s withdrawal from its proposed $75 million purchase of WADL Mount Clemens, Michigan, from Adell Broadcasting likely means the matter won’t end up in a hearing before the FCC’s administrative law judge, broadcast attorneys told us. Mission submitted notice to the agency on Wednesday that the deal would not be consummated (see 2405220074).

FCC commissioners approved 5-0 an NPRM Thursday that proposes barring test labs from entities on the agency’s “covered list” of unsecure companies from participating in the equipment authorization process. In addition, the FCC clamped down on political robocall violations. Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, working with Commissioner Brendan Carr, proposed the lab rules (see 2405020071).

Sweden leads the world in alternatives to GPS and other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) that offer the precise timing services needed for 5G, speakers said Wednesday during a Mobile World Live webinar. Sweden’s approach includes launching the nonprofit-owned Netnod, which the government and operators fund. In the U.S., questions have been raised on Capitol Hill about carrier reliance on GNSS (see 2403120073).

Policy discussions are hopefully “boiling to the point” where Congress can repeal Communications Decency Act Section 230, House Commerce Committee ranking member Frank Pallone, D-N.J., told us Wednesday. He and Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said the parallel efforts of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and ranking member Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., are encouraging.

Consumers' Research defended its position Tuesday to the U.S. Supreme Court that Congress and the FCC violated the nondelegation doctrine through the Universal Service Fund contributions mechanism (see 2405070042).

AT&T and other pole owners raised safety concerns when the Kentucky Public Service Commission proposed self-help for pole replacements. The PSC received comments Tuesday in docket 2023-00416 concerning May 15 draft emergency amendments. These included a proposal that would remove a prohibition on self-help for replacements. Only cable companies, which seek to attach equipment to others’ poles, supported the change.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a draft NPRM Wednesday that would seek comment on requiring disclosures when a political ad on TV or radio contains AI-generated content. The item proposes requiring on-air and written disclosures in broadcaster online public files, and also requiring disclosures by cable operators and satellite TV providers, said an FCC news release. “As artificial intelligence tools become more accessible, the Commission wants to make sure consumers are fully informed when the technology is used,” Rosenworcel said in the release.

AI regulation leaped forward Tuesday following EU governments' approval of the AI Act and Friday's adoption of the Council of Europe (CoE) framework convention on AI. The EU measure is "the first of its kind in the world and can set a global standard for AI regulation," the European Council said. The CoE document is the first international treaty "aimed at ensuring the respect of human rights, the rule of law and democracy legal standards in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems," the CoE said in an email.