The Section 230 hearing was largely political theater. The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held its long awaited hearing ostensibly on 47 U.S.C. 230 (Section 230) with the CEOs of Facebook, Google, and Twitter. I suppose the title of the hearing should have told us all we need to know about the approach of … Continue reading Section 230 Hearing Almost Devoid Of Discussion About Section 230
The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee seek to frame the 28 October hearing on Section 230 in the light they favor. Before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held its hearing today on 47 U.S.C. 230 (Section 230), both Chair Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sought … Continue reading Setting The Plate For Section 230 Hearing
Further Reading “The Police Can Probably Break Into Your Phone” By Jack Nicas — The New York Times. So, about “Going Dark.” Turns out nations and law enforcement officials have either oversold the barrier that default end-to-end encryption on phones creates or did not understand the access that police were already getting to many encrypted … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (27 October)
The FCC’s General Counsel says “Nothing to see here, move along” in regards to the agency’s authority to conduct a Section 230 rulemaking, the first since its enactment in 1996. Recently, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Ajit Pai asserted that the agency has the authority to proceed with a rulemaking to clarify 47 U.S.C. 230 (Section … Continue reading FCC General Counsel Claims Agency Can Make Regulations For Section 230
Further Reading “Google is giving data to police based on search keywords, court docs show” By Alfred Ng — c|net. Google is responding to keyword warrants where prosecutors ask the company to provide IP addresses for all people who made a certain search within a geographical area during a certain time. In the case discussed … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (26 October)
Further Reading “A deepfake porn Telegram bot is being used to abuse thousands of women” By Matt Burgess — WIRED UK. A bot set loose on Telegram can take pictures of women and, apparently teens, too, and “takes off” their clothing, rendering a naked image of females who never took naked pictures. This seems to … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (22 October)
After social media platforms decline to allow the unfettered distribution of an article planted by Trump associates, Republicans increase their rage towards these companies. Last week, at first, both Twitter and Facebook blocked their users from posting a very questionable New York Post article about the allegedly illegal and unethical business dealings of former Vice … Continue reading Questionable Hunter Biden Article Blocked; Republicans Claim Bias
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
Further Reading “Amazon to escape UK digital services tax that will hit smaller traders” By Mark Sweney — The Guardian. According to media reports, the United Kingdom’s (UK) new digital services tax will not be levied on goods Amazon sells directly to consumers. Rather, the new tax HM Revenue and Customs will be on the … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (15 October)
Further Reading “False Rumors Often Start at the Top” By Shira Ovide — The New York Times. This piece traces how misinformation can arise from poorly phrased or ambiguous statements and utterances from authorities or famous people. Throw in a very liberal dose of people misinterpreting, and it’s a miracle there’s any clear communication online.“With … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (13 October)
Michael Kans 