Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (15 December)

Further Reading “DHS, State and NIH join list of federal agencies — now five — hacked in major Russian cyberespionage campaign” By Ellen Nakashima and Craig Timberg — The Washington Post; “Scope of Russian Hack Becomes Clear: Multiple U.S. Agencies Were Hit” By David E. Sanger, Nicole Perlroth and Eric Schmitt — The New York … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (15 December)

Privacy Shield Hearing

The focus was on how the U.S. and EU can reach agreement on an arrangement that will not be struck down by the EU’s highest court. Last week, the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held a hearing on the now invalidated European Union (EU)-United States (U.S.) Privacy Shield, a mechanism that allowed companies to … Continue reading Privacy Shield Hearing

Armed Services Committees Agree On Final NDAA

The annual defense policy bill creates a new National Cyber Director and addresses other technology issues. Last week, the negotiators agreed on a final FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that could get passed as early as this week. To no great surprise, President Donald Trump has threatened to veto the annual policy and … Continue reading Armed Services Committees Agree On Final NDAA

Courts Further Block TikTok and WeChat Bans

Two Trump Administration measures to strike at the PRC remain unimplemented. The Trump Administration has suffered more setbacks in its efforts to move forward with its bans on applications from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). United States’ (U.S.) courts continue to block enforcement of orders prohibiting TikTok and WeChat on national security grounds. Courts … Continue reading Courts Further Block TikTok and WeChat Bans

Supreme Court Justice Weighs In On Section 230; FCC To Move Ahead on Rulemaking

A conservative Justice on the Supreme Court opines on Section 230, and then the FCC announces it will proceed with rulemaking to clarify Section 230. There continues to be intense and growing scrutiny of social media platforms that benefit from the liability shield in 47 U.S.C. 230 (Section 230), particularly from Republicans who seem intent … Continue reading Supreme Court Justice Weighs In On Section 230; FCC To Move Ahead on Rulemaking

Court Issues Injunction On First Part of TikTok Ban

The Trump Administration’s efforts to start banning TikTok is blocked by a federal court, its second defeat this month. A federal court has granted a request made by TikTok to stop the first part of an order that would have required Apple and Google to remove the Chinese app from its stores or providing updates. … Continue reading Court Issues Injunction On First Part of TikTok Ban

TikTok Deal Struck And WeChat Wins Injunction

A TikTok deal may be taking shape even though there are indications the details have not been hammered out entirely. A federal court blocked implementation of the WeChat ban. Over the weekend with the 20 September effective dates looming on the TikTok and WeChat notices, there were separate developments that delayed implementation of the bans … Continue reading TikTok Deal Struck And WeChat Wins Injunction

Pending Legislation In U.S. Congress, Part VI

At this point, Congress is just looking to organize U.S. AI efforts, maximize resources, and better understand the field. Today, let us survey bills on artificial intelligence (AI), an area of growing interest and concern among Democratic and Republican Members. Lawmakers and staff have been grappling with this new technology, and, at this point, are … Continue reading Pending Legislation In U.S. Congress, Part VI

Uncertainty As Deadlines Approach On TikTok and WeChat EOs

It is still not clear how matters will play out with a proposed Oracle/TikTok deal and the ban on WeChat (and possibly TikTok if an acceptable deal cannot be made.) Today, the Trump Administration issued orders barring TikTok and WeChat pursuant to executive orders issued an “Executive Order on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok” … Continue reading Uncertainty As Deadlines Approach On TikTok and WeChat EOs

Pending Legislation In U.S. Congress, Part V

Congress may well pass IoT legislation this year, and the two bills under consideration take different approaches. Continuing our look at bills Congress may pass this year leads us to an issue area that has received attention but no legislative action; the Internet of Things (IoT). Many Members are aware and concerned about the lax … Continue reading Pending Legislation In U.S. Congress, Part V