Ring security for the car, voice calling via Fire TV, beefed up Echo devices and cloud gaming headlined Amazon’s hardware announcements in a livestreamed event Thursday. Ring also announced a $249 indoor drone, with an autonomous camera “that will automatically fly to predetermined areas of the home.” The Ring Always Home Cam records only when in flight and is “loud enough so you hear when it’s in motion,” said Ring President Leila Rouhi.
Senate Communications Subcommittee members intermingled questions about FirstNet’s progress during a Thursday hearing with forays into how broader communications policy could affect the public safety broadband network. Subcommittee Chairman John Thune R-S.D., and others at times focused on whether legislation to further streamline permitting processes would aid FirstNet’s deployment. FirstNet CEO Edward Parkinson and AT&T Senior Vice President-FirstNet Program Jason Porter highlighted their progress in building the network and expressed willingness to carry out GAO recommendations that it improve communications with stakeholders (see 2009170071).
Washington, D.C.’s 911 office will be audited (see 2009240064) after concerns raised by the media and local and federal officials about possible dispatching mistakes, the Office of D.C. Auditor said Thursday. A final report could be finished May 15, said a request for proposals. District of Columbia Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 4B01’s Evan Yeats requested the audit and Thursday applauded Auditor Kathleen Patterson, who earlier said the office was considering such a move (see 2008070042). Other stakeholders also backed the review.
Draft legislation will be circulated next week that would “fundamentally alter” tech companies' business models, House Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., said during a hearing. Her draft bill will be aimed at giving regulators and consumers recourse when companies fail to deliver basic, stated commitments, she said. Reached after the hearing, Schakowsky wouldn’t say whether the draft bill directly targets Communications Decency Act Section 230.
First Amendment objections to FCC control of internet platforms under Communications Decency Act Section 230 are “truly a red herring, designed to obscure whose rights are being violated,” Adam Candeub, acting NTIA administrator, said in an FCBA webinar Thursday. President Donald Trump withdrew Mike O’Rielly's renomination to another term on the FCC after the commissioner expressed such concerns (see 2008210055). Other speakers slammed the Trump move to exercise more control over the internet, calling it an abuse of power. Commissioner Brendan Carr said he’s ready to move ahead on rules.
E.W. Scripps' plans to divest 23 Ion stations as part of its $2.65 billion purchase of the broadcaster (see 2009240006) likely will obviate FCC and DOJ regulatory concerns, deal watchers told us. It isn't expected to get the public and political outcry faced by Sinclair's aborted Tribune purchase. The Ion purchase from private equity firm Black Diamond is expected to close in Q1, Scripps announced Thursday.
Before Wednesday’s meeting, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai likely doesn’t have the three votes he needs for the 4.9 GHz order and Further NPRM, FCC and industry officials said. Commissioners Mike O’Rielly, Jessica Rosenworcel and Geoffrey Starks have concerns that could get resolved before the meeting. The approach faces opposition, especially from public safety groups (see 2009230048) that lobbied commissioner aides.
The telecom industry sows confusion about 5G and what the new generation of wireless really is, Tom Williams, chief technology officer at the ISP Schurz Communications, told the Big 5G Event Wednesday. Others said the pandemic has meant 5G is rolling out more quickly, especially for businesses.
DOJ sent draft legislation to Congress Wednesday that would amend Communications Decency Act Section 230 to make tech platforms more accountable for alleged speech censorship and facilitation of criminal activity. The proposal got backlash from the Internet Association, Computer & Communications Industry Association, NetChoice and Public Knowledge.
No formal privacy talks are ongoing, Senate Commerce Committee members told us. Wednesday’s hearing with former FTC officials, in which legislators discussed specific proposals, was a good step forward, they said.