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 […]
Why Texans pay more for the Internet than others
On his Verizon wireless bill, Wald finds a jarring discrepancy. The sales tax he is charged for his two wireless phone lines does not make sense. He calls Verizon to ask about it. During a span of several weeks, he talks to six Verizon employees. Of course, being who he is, he keeps notes. […]
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: […]
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 […]
Instagram and the Zuckerbergian plan for global conquest
If we needed another reminder that Hollywood and history often have an arm’s length association, consider the Mark Zuckerberg who Aaron Sorkin created in “The Social Network.” That celluloid Zuckerberg was a callow nebbish who didn’t really know what Facebook ought to be and needed Sean Parker to get him to think seriously about the […]
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, […]
Your Internet privacy is in Congress’s hands now
I had a long talk with the president last week (yes, that president) about how my readers were clamoring for something like an Internet privacy bill of rights so that they could tell those nosy online advertising companies to piss off. What do you know? Thursday morning, the White House called on Congress and the […]
Google Sales, Profit Miss Estimates as Ad Prices Decline
Google Inc., owner of the arena’s most well liked web search engine, stated fourth-quarter revenue and profit that overlooked analysts’ estimates, as weaker eu call for and a shift to mobile advertising crimped enlargement. sales except income handed on to partner websites rose to $eight.thirteen billion, Google stated on its web page. That compared with […]