The Consequences of a Washington Internet Power Grab
As commissioners with the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Trade Commission, respectively, we are disturbed to see our agencies on a collision course that could disrupt the country’s thriving Internet providers and businesses, with little or no added benefit for consumers. As the Internet brings greater efficiencies and benefits to the U.S. economy, some regulators […]
Will the Internet Listen your Private Conversations
Like a lot of teenagers, Aanya Nigam reflexively shares her whereabouts, activities and thoughts on Twitter, Instagram and other social networks without a qualm.But Aanya’s care-free attitude dissolved into paranoia a few months ago shortly after her mother bought Amazon’s Echo, a digital assistant that can be set up in a home or office to listen […]
F.C.C. to Fine AT&T $100 Million for Slowing Data Speeds
The Federal Communications Commission on Wednesday said it planned to fine AT&T Mobility $100 million, accusing the company of misleading millions of wireless customers with unlimited data plans by slowing down their service without adequately informing them. The agency said that once customers had used a certain amount of data, AT&T delivered service that was […]
With health care as the model, Obama wrecks the Internet
Singer Taylor Swift is among the thousands of celebrities who, in a pre-emptive move to protect their reputations, reportedly have purchased URLs that follow their names with new extensions such as .sucks, .xxx and .porn. President Obama is doing for the Internet what he did for health care: making things worse. His slogan should […]
Samsung’s Smart TV ‘surveillance’ prompts FTC complaint
A complaint filed by a privacy group to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission charged that Samsung’s Smart TVs intercept and record private communications of consumers in their homes, violating a number of rules including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The Electronic Privacy Information Center has asked the FTC to investigate and stop the practice […]
Will the internet of things finally kill privacy?
Immense economic pressure could eventually coerce everyone into sharing their information with firms, since not disclosing your data will itself imply that you are undesirable. In the internet of things, the Federal Trade Commission sees the possibility of flourishing new markets. But it also sees a prologue to Black Mirror: […]
Obama turns focus to Internet security, privacy
President Barack Obama will highlight plans next week to protect American consumers and businesses from cyber threats, a month after the most high-profile hacking attack on a U.S. company. Internet security became a national focus after a cyberattack on Sony Pictures that Washington blamed on North Korea. The attack and subsequent threats of violence […]
CES 2015: Warning over data grabbed by smart gadgets
A “deeply personal” picture of every consumer could be grabbed by futuristic smart gadgets, the chair of the US Federal Trade Commission has warned. Speaking at CES, Edith Ramirez said a future full of smart gadgets that watch what we do posed a threat to privacy. The collated data could create a false impression if given […]
South Florida gold dealer accused of false promises
Gold has been among the most lucrative investments in recent years, more than doubling in value since 2007. But a Deerfield Beach-based precious metals dealer apparently never believed the industry’s standard credo, “Past performance is no guarantee of future results.” A federal judge has slapped Premier Precious Metals, Inc., and its owner, Anthony J. Columbo, […]