Twenty-three amicus filings from a diverse group of tech companies, privacy groups, journalists and lawmakers support Microsoft in a privacy suit headed for oral argument at the Supreme Court Feb. 27 (see 1801180062). U.S. v. Microsoft, the “Microsoft Ireland” case, involves the company’s challenge to a U.S. government warrant demanding emails stored in a server based in Ireland, citing the 1986 Stored Communications Act as justification. The high court granted the government’s application to review a 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision that said Microsoft didn't have to comply with a probable-cause warrant for the customer's emails in Ireland because U.S. law doesn't apply outside the country (see 1710160009).
With streaming video piracy booming, content companies and allies are continuing a legal assault against pirate services, and some see the number of allies growing to potentially include other parts of the legitimate video streaming ecosystem. The MPAA said it's seeing some preliminary signs the content company litigation strategy is bearing fruit. However, that legal strategy also faces unique challenges compared with past video piracy fights, experts say.
Though ATSC 3.0 will enable advancements in emergency alerts, it can’t address the problems of an outdated, underfunded emergency alert system (EAS) operated by personnel who may be undertrained, said Advanced Warning and Response Network (AWARN) Alliance Executive Director John Lawson at an FCBA event on ATSC 3.0 Friday. Panelists at the event also spoke about the upcoming trials of ATSC 3.0 technology and the process remaining for the new standard to go into effect.
Washington state lawmakers showed political harmony on net neutrality, ISP privacy and 5G wireless legislation, as partisan squabbling in Washington, D.C., threatened to shut down the federal government. State Democrats and Republicans supported bills on all three subjects Thursday at a livestreamed Washington state House Technology and Economic Development Committee hearing. The net neutrality and ISP privacy bills counter repeals under the Trump administration of Obama-era FCC rules. More bills surfaced in other states, with all three topics expected to get much attention from legislatures this year (see 1712210034, 1801090054 and 1801050033).
House Communications Subcommittee Republicans and Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., released separate sets of legislation Friday aimed at encouraging broadband deployment. The House Communications Republicans' bills were a third wave of additional legislation that followed the release earlier this month of overarching principles on broadband infrastructure before House work on a broader infrastructure bill to follow White House anticipated release of its legislative package. Lawmakers filed other sets of broadband legislation Tuesday and Wednesday (see 1801110058, 1801160048 and 1801170055).
The FCC, FTC and other federal agencies were planning to continue to at least partially function in the short term after the start of a possible federal government shutdown that was set to begin at 11:59 p.m. Friday absent action by Congress. Senate Democrats said they had enough votes to prevent the Senate from invoking cloture on a continuing resolution to fund the federal government through Feb. 16 unless it includes a deal on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy. The House passed the CR Thursday sans DACA language on a 230-197 vote. A Senate cloture vote on the measure was seen as possible after our deadline. Lawmakers acknowledged before our deadline Friday that a shutdown was still possible but were hopeful there would be a deal.
New equivalent power flux-density (EPFD) limits and axing use of band splitting were among satellite operators' suggestions for the FCC on changes to the Part 2 and Part 25 non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) rules adopted last year (see 1709260035). Wednesday was the deadline for petitions for reconsideration with many posted Thursday. The petitions likely won't be met with either automatic rejection or be a slam dunk, said a satellite lawyer.
Advances in IoT technology must move in tandem with cybersecurity to protect U.S. industry and consumers, said industry witnesses at a House Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing Thursday. “Soft-touch regulation” is key to ensuring continued innovation, Chairman Bob Latta, R-Ohio, told us afterwards, a theme he sounded since taking the helm last year (see 1702080078). Latta said he has heard from numerous manufacturing, agricultural, communications and automotive officials that soft-touch regulation will allow them to keep innovating in IoT while ensuring cyber safety.
Telcos backed and critics opposed FCC proposals for further wireline deregulation the agency believes would encourage broadband deployment. Cable interests and others supported a proposal to codify existing FCC precedent promoting "overlashing" of pole attachments, while electric utilities said they must have advanced notice and oversight to ensure system reliability and safety. Comments were posted Wednesday and Thursday in docket 17-84 on a Further NPRM. The notice was combined with an order that streamlined rules for copper retirements and service discontinuances, and that took steps to facilitate pole attachments (see 1711160032).
The FCC should react to the recent false missile alert in Hawaii by developing best practices for the emergency alert system, studying improvements to the system and committing “right now” to having changes in place before summer, said FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel Thursday at an NAB event on how broadcasters can prepare for emergencies (see 1801160054). “We need to look at everything from state training and practices to improved user interfaces for public safety that can reduce the likelihood of error.” Broadcasters told us preparation and funds are important to staying on-air (see 1712220028).