Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (22, 23, 24, and 25 February 2021)

Further Reading “The Long Hack: How China Exploited a U.S. Tech Supplier” By Jordan Robertson and Michael Riley — Bloomberg. This piece argues that the United States (U.S.) government knew of vulnerabilities in Super Micro Computer Inc.’s products used by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) but chose to keep them secret. This article follows … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (22, 23, 24, and 25 February 2021) →

An Online Misinformation Hearing Splits Along Predictable Lines

A key House committee begins its inquiry into misinformation, which implicates Section 230 legal protections. One House committee picked up its inquiry into lies, misinformation, disinformation, extremism, terrorism, and online media. The House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Fanning the Flames: Disinformation and Extremism in the Media” with … Continue reading An Online Misinformation Hearing Splits Along Predictable Lines →

Let’s Make A Deal: Facebook and Australia

Australia passes its code that requires Google and Facebook to strike deals with the nation’s news media to correct the imbalance in bargaining power. This happened only after Facebook pulled the plug on its News feature and provisions in the bill were loosened as part of a compromise. After imposing a news ban in Australia, Facebook … Continue reading Let’s Make A Deal: Facebook and Australia →

EDPS Renders Opinions on EC Legislation

EDPS suggests changes to Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, the EU’s legislation to remake how the bloc regulates large technology firms. European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) Wojciech Wiewiorówski has issued his opinions on two of the centerpieces for the European Commission’s (EC) digital strategy: the Digital Services Act and a Digital Markets Act. … Continue reading EDPS Renders Opinions on EC Legislation →

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (18 February 2021)

Further Reading “Google, Microsoft, Qualcomm Protest Nvidia’s Acquisition of Arm Ltd.” By David McLaughlin, Ian King, and Dina Bass — Bloomberg. Major United States (U.S.) tech multinationals are telling the U.S. government that Nvidia’s proposed purchase of Arm will hurt competition in the semi-conductor market, an interesting position for an industry renowned for being acquisition … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (18 February 2021) →

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (17 February 2021)

Further Reading “Sheryl Sandberg Downplayed Facebook’s Role In The Capitol Hill Siege—Justice Department Files Tell A Very Different Story” By Thomas Brewster — Forbes. According to charging documents, Facebook, and not Parler, was the app of choice the insurrectionists used in planning to storm the United States Capitol. And, of course, Facebook initially claimed this … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (17 February 2021) →

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (16 February 2021)

Further Reading “India cuts internet around New Delhi as protesting farmers clash with police” By Esha Mitra and Julia Hollingsworth — CNN; “Twitter Temporarily Blocked Accounts Critical Of The Indian Government” By Pranav Dixit — BuzzFeed News. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government again shut down the internet as a way of managing unrest or discontent … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (16 February 2021) →

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (11 February 2021)

Further Reading “3G Could End This Year. For People Who Rely on Basic Phones, That’s a Big Problem.” By Hannah Frishberg — OneZero. The major telecommunications carriers will soon shut down their 3G coverage and with it, the last of the “dumb” phones will theoretically no longer work. There are other issues, however. In some … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (11 February 2021) →

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (10 February 2021)

Further Reading “A Hacker Tried to Poison a Florida City's Water Supply, Officials Say” By Andy Greenberg — WIRED. Given the fact that most water and sewage systems are linked to the internet, even their operational systems, it is surprising these sorts of incidents do not occur more frequently.“UK regulator to write to WhatsApp over Facebook … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (10 February 2021) →

Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (9 February 2021)

Further Reading “Why Intel's troubles should concern us all” By Ina Fried — Axios. One of the last major American semi-conductor manufacturers is struggling to keep up with rivals, and this could be very bad for United States (U.S.) national security. Biden Administration officials have made noise signifying they understand, but we will see what, … Continue reading Further Reading, Other Developments, and Coming Events (9 February 2021) →