Giving consumers opt-in choice to have data collected, used and shared may not necessarily be the best model to protect privacy, said panelists during an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation event Thursday. The discussion on opt-in vs. opt-out consent followed a recent piece from ITIF research analyst Alan McQuinn saying privacy debates aren't about consumers vs. companies but about individuals having differing privacy preferences. "Opt-in laws are less efficient and costlier than opt-out ones," wrote McQuinn.

More use of e-labels, displaying regulatory or product other details in electronic format rather than through physical labels, would improve consumer convenience, help manufacturers continue to innovate and meet regulatory requirements, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reported Monday. E-labeling is needed, said ITIF, because products are getting smaller and it's more difficult to fit multiple, small labels that notify consumers and others about complying with electromagnetic interference, energy, materials, recycling and safety regulations, which can increase costs and limit design options. ITIF said e-labeling should be permitted through an iterative process, starting with displaying product information on a device's inbuilt screen and then expanding it to products without a screen by providing access to information via a URL or QR code. ITIF said there's a "regulatory reluctance" to shift from physical to e-labels, partially due to concerns over monitoring for non-compliance, and policymakers may need to enact legislation. The report noted challenges such as e-labels becoming unavailable if devices are broken or have lost power, but manufacturers could provide peel-away screen labels or present information on their websites.

More use of e-labels, displaying regulatory or product other details in electronic format rather than through physical labels, would improve consumer convenience, help manufacturers continue to innovate and meet regulatory requirements, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reported Monday. E-labeling is needed, said ITIF, because products are getting smaller and it's more difficult to fit multiple, small labels that notify consumers and others about complying with electromagnetic interference, energy, materials, recycling and safety regulations, which can increase costs and limit design options. ITIF said e-labeling should be permitted through an iterative process, starting with displaying product information on a device's inbuilt screen and then expanding it to products without a screen by providing access to information via a URL or QR code. ITIF said there's a "regulatory reluctance" to shift from physical to e-labels, partially due to concerns over monitoring for non-compliance, and policymakers may need to enact legislation. The report noted challenges such as e-labels becoming unavailable if devices are broken or have lost power, but manufacturers could provide peel-away screen labels or present information on their websites.

More use of e-labels, displaying regulatory or product other details in electronic format rather than through physical labels, would improve consumer convenience, help manufacturers continue to innovate and meet regulatory requirements, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation reported Monday. E-labeling is needed, said ITIF, because products are getting smaller and it's more difficult to fit multiple, small labels that notify consumers and others about complying with electromagnetic interference, energy, materials, recycling and safety regulations, which can increase costs and limit design options. ITIF said e-labeling should be permitted through an iterative process, starting with displaying product information on a device's inbuilt screen and then expanding it to products without a screen by providing access to information via a URL or QR code. ITIF said there's a "regulatory reluctance" to shift from physical to e-labels, partially due to concerns over monitoring for non-compliance, and policymakers may need to enact legislation. The report noted challenges such as e-labels becoming unavailable if devices are broken or have lost power, but manufacturers could provide peel-away screen labels or present information on their websites.

Supporters of the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality order plan a national protest Wednesday, before Monday's deadline for initial comments. Meanwhile, various groups opposed to the rules made their case Tuesday. Speakers at an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation event said legislation is unlikely and debate will continue regardless of what the Ajit Pai FCC does. AT&T and TechFreedom also held events and sought legislation.

Supporters of the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality order plan a national protest Wednesday, before Monday's deadline for initial comments. Meanwhile, various groups opposed to the rules made their case Tuesday. Speakers at an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation event said legislation is unlikely and debate will continue regardless of what the Ajit Pai FCC does. AT&T and TechFreedom also held events and sought legislation.

Assessing success rate of municipal broadband projects isn't easy, said supporters and skeptics of local fiber projects in interviews. “I don’t think anyone can write a definitive report,” said Christopher Yoo, author of a University of Pennsylvania report. Consider financial data alongside anecdotal evidence, he recommended. Penn found about half of existing projects show negative cash flow, and 90 percent won’t cover costs within bond periods (see 1705240043). Muni broadband supporters complained the report treats local governments like companies and doesn’t consider consumer benefits.

Assessing success rate of municipal broadband projects isn't easy, said supporters and skeptics of local fiber projects in interviews. “I don’t think anyone can write a definitive report,” said Christopher Yoo, author of a University of Pennsylvania report. Consider financial data alongside anecdotal evidence, he recommended. Penn found about half of existing projects show negative cash flow, and 90 percent won’t cover costs within bond periods (see 1705240043). Muni broadband supporters complained the report treats local governments like companies and doesn’t consider consumer benefits.

Developing countries could boost their economies by billions of dollars if they signed on to the 1996 Information Technology Agreement, reported the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Monday. The ITA eliminates tariffs on hundreds of information and communication technology products for its current 82 signatory countries, but some developing countries haven’t signed because they don’t want to give up income generated by targeted tariffs, ITIF said. Economic growth and associated increase in tax revenue that would accompany ITA “would bolster Argentina’s economic growth by an estimated 1.52 percent, or $12.7 billion in additional output, in the 10th year; Cambodia’s by 0.98 percent or $320 million; Chile’s by 0.23 percent or $920 million; Kenya’s by 1.29 percent or $1.4 billion; Pakistan’s by 1.30 percent or $4.6 billion; and South Africa’s by 0.17 percent or $770 million.” ITIF said Chile and South Africa would see a smaller economic impact from signing on because “these countries already have relatively low tariff rates on ITA-covered ICT products.”

Developing countries could boost their economies by billions of dollars if they signed on to the 1996 Information Technology Agreement, reported the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Monday. The ITA eliminates tariffs on hundreds of information and communication technology products for its current 82 signatory countries, but some developing countries haven’t signed because they don’t want to give up income generated by targeted tariffs, ITIF said. Economic growth and associated increase in tax revenue that would accompany ITA “would bolster Argentina’s economic growth by an estimated 1.52 percent, or $12.7 billion in additional output, in the 10th year; Cambodia’s by 0.98 percent or $320 million; Chile’s by 0.23 percent or $920 million; Kenya’s by 1.29 percent or $1.4 billion; Pakistan’s by 1.30 percent or $4.6 billion; and South Africa’s by 0.17 percent or $770 million.” ITIF said Chile and South Africa would see a smaller economic impact from signing on because “these countries already have relatively low tariff rates on ITA-covered ICT products.”