Some participants of a working group -- part of a larger NTIA multistakeholder process drafting a code of conduct for commercial drone operators and hobbyists -- said Friday they've been making progress on a best practices guide, leading some to think eventual consensus is possible early next year. But at least one privacy advocate said some privacy issues still need more attention -- and they won't be easy to resolve. The sides have been far apart on key issues (see 1510210063), and NTIA is extending the time stakeholders have to try to work out a final document.

Some participants of a working group -- part of a larger NTIA multistakeholder process drafting a code of conduct for commercial drone operators and hobbyists -- said Friday they've been making progress on a best practices guide, leading some to think eventual consensus is possible early next year. But at least one privacy advocate said some privacy issues still need more attention -- and they won't be easy to resolve. The sides have been far apart on key issues (see 1510210063), and NTIA is extending the time stakeholders have to try to work out a final document.

Some participants of a working group -- part of a larger NTIA multistakeholder process drafting a code of conduct for commercial drone operators and hobbyists -- said Friday they've been making progress on a best practices guide, leading some to think eventual consensus is possible early next year. But at least one privacy advocate said some privacy issues still need more attention -- and they won't be easy to resolve. The sides have been far apart on key issues (see 1510210063), and NTIA is extending the time stakeholders have to try to work out a final document.

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez's planned renomination by President Barack Obama Thursday (see 1512100066) is seen by industry lawyers and privacy advocates as being likely to succeed. There may not be any major opposition, one expert speculated. But she's likely to face questions on the agency's active role, which mostly drew plaudits from those we interviewed Friday. They said she has been an aggressive advocate for consumers and led the agency well since she became head in 2013. The Senate Commerce Committee did not comment. Unknown is who would fill the Republican seat on the commission left open since Joshua Wright stepped down in August.

FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez's planned renomination by President Barack Obama Thursday (see 1512100066) is seen by industry lawyers and privacy advocates as being likely to succeed. There may not be any major opposition, one expert speculated. But she's likely to face questions on the agency's active role, which mostly drew plaudits from those we interviewed Friday. They said she has been an aggressive advocate for consumers and led the agency well since she became head in 2013. The Senate Commerce Committee did not comment. Unknown is who would fill the Republican seat on the commission left open since Joshua Wright stepped down in August.

Encouraged by strong backing for the Email Privacy Act among House Judiciary Committee members during a Tuesday hearing (see 1512010054), bill supporters -- congressional staffers, technology industry representatives and privacy advocates -- said they believe HR-699, which updates the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), has the momentum to get to markup and then a floor vote. The only question was when that would happen. Many said they expected some action during the first half of 2016. A House Democratic aide involved in the process said he expected a markup no earlier than spring due to other committee priorities.

Encouraged by strong backing for the Email Privacy Act among House Judiciary Committee members during a Tuesday hearing (see 1512010054), bill supporters -- congressional staffers, technology industry representatives and privacy advocates -- said they believe HR-699, which updates the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), has the momentum to get to markup and then a floor vote. The only question was when that would happen. Many said they expected some action during the first half of 2016. A House Democratic aide involved in the process said he expected a markup no earlier than spring due to other committee priorities.

Encouraged by strong backing for the Email Privacy Act among House Judiciary Committee members during a Tuesday hearing (see 1512010054), bill supporters -- congressional staffers, technology industry representatives and privacy advocates -- said they believe HR-699, which updates the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), has the momentum to get to markup and then a floor vote. The only question was when that would happen. Many said they expected some action during the first half of 2016. A House Democratic aide involved in the process said he expected a markup no earlier than spring due to other committee priorities.

President Barack Obama formally notified Congress of his intent to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership on Nov. 5, setting off a 90-day, statutorily-required period of public disclosure before he can follow through on that pledge. The notification comes just a day after TPP parties released the text, which outlines a set of measures to speed up goods flow at ports of entry in member countries and boost transparency in rule-making (see 1511050020). TPP will slash export barriers for U.S. manufacturers, agriculture producers and other businesses, the White House said.

Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., said significant technological progress has been made in the past several years, and "yet policy has not changed" and is out of date. Her remarks came at the IoT Global Summit Monday. A lack of education on technology and tech policy is one of the biggest challenges facing the IoT at the congressional level, said DelBene, and it is critically important to inform individuals about the way certain policies could affect technology. She also said spectrum availability is critical for the Internet's ability to thrive.