Category: regulation

FCC, FTC give providers 48 hours to block COVID-19 scam robocalls

[ad_1] The de facto order is not-so-subtly aimed at VoIP providers accused of easing access for these scam callers, including Connexum, SIPJoin and VoIP Terminator/BLMarketing. It’s a drastic step, but it might be vital. Among the campaigns are bogus COVID-19 tests and cleaning services. These scams could rob people of money or even get someone […]

FCC gives T-Mobile extra spectrum to cope with demand during coronavirus

[ad_1] Eight companies agreed to make some of their spectrum available, the FCC said, including Comcast and Dish. Help also came from the FCC’s spectrum inventory. Officials haven’t mentioned other carriers receiving additional capacity, although it won’t be surprising if others follow suit. The US is facing an unprecedented situation where many people have been […]

FCC proposes token fines for carriers that sold phone location data

[ad_1] The networks followed a similar pattern, according to the FCC. They sold location access to aggregators that themselves resold access to service providers, with each carrier relying largely on “contract-based assurances” that they’d get permission from customers before accessing that info. As you might have guessed, that didn’t always happen — one Missouri Sheriff, […]

FCC may fine carriers for failing to protect phone location data

[ad_1] Officials didn’t make any settlement offers, according to the tipsters. That suggests it doesn’t believe a compromise is possible, although it also raises the likelihood that networks will try to fight any fines and have them reduced or tossed out. Fines wouldn’t be surprising given how egregious the alleged violations would be. Carriers not […]

Clarence Thomas laments ruling that let FCC kill net neutrality

[ad_1] Of course, stating a change of opinion doesn’t negate the ruling by itself. There would need to be another case that reversed Brand X, and the chances of that happening aren’t terribly high. Mozilla still has the option of appealing to the Supreme Court after it lost its bid to overturn Pai’s net neutrality […]

Google searches are showing rival business directories in Europe

[ad_1] The company appeared to have tested this in Germany before rolling it out to a wider audience that includes the UK. There’s no certainty this will prevent another antitrust case against Google. The competing directories are clearly visible, but they’re ultimately dwarfed by Google’s own info. Also, these may be a little too familiar. […]

EU won’t let Facebook tell it how to regulate tech giants

[ad_1] This comes as Facebook is promoting its “Charting a Way Forward: Online Content Regulation” white paper, which offers guidelines for future regulations. Breton dismissed the guidelines proposed in Facebook’s white paper as insufficient. He noted that Facebook didn’t mention its own market dominance or clearly outline its responsibilities. “It’s not for us to adapt […]

EU investigates Qualcomm for alleged anti-competitive tactics

[ad_1] The tech firm said it was in the “process of responding” to the investigation, which started on December 3rd but wasn’t public knowledge until now. It maintained that its methods “do not violate” EU competition rules. The consequences of losing the case could be serious. The Commission could fine Qualcomm up to 10 percent […]

Marlboro owner’s stake in Juul is worth a third of its original value

[ad_1] Accordingly, Altria and Juul are scaling back and altering their relationship. They’re shifting attention to “pre-market tobacco applications,” and will limit Altria’s services to Juul to regulatory affairs by the end of March. They’re also restructuring the board of directors to give Altria just two directors’ seats, as well as committees to oversee both […]

EU won’t unilaterally ban Huawei gear from 5G networks

[ad_1] The Commission asked member nations to implement the guidelines by April 30th, and to provide a report on their implementations by June 30th. These guidelines could theoretically placate the US by encouraging countries to ban the likes of Huawei if they feel there’s a security risk, but American officials might not be happy all […]