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☆ Democratic consultant who masterminded AI-generated fake Biden robocall scheme indicted on 26 charges
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewThe Democratic consultant who admitted to masterminding a bogus Joe Biden robocall scheme has been hit with dozens of charges. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Phillips' press secretary previously told Business Insider that the Phillips campaign did not ask Kramer to create the fake Biden robocall, and that it was "disgusted" by the call and Kramer's alleged involvement. Kramer previously told Business Insider that "with a mere $500 investment, anyone could replicate my intentional call," adding that finding voters to reach out to was simple. Robocall fraud experts also previously warned Business Insider that the New Hampshire incident is "just the tip of the iceberg," and we should expect more to come in a dangerous new era for political spam calls.

Persons: —, Joe Biden, Steve Kramer, Kramer, Dean Phillips, Phillips, Biden, John Formella Organizations: Service, Business, NBC News, Minnesota Rep, Federal Communications Commission, New Hampshire Locations: New Orleans, New Hampshire

☆ FCC fines big phone companies nearly $200 million for sharing customer location data
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Shubhangi Goel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The FCC fined four US network providers nearly $200 million for illegally sharing customer data. AdvertisementThe Federal Communications Commission fined four US wireless carriers close to $200 million for illegally sharing access to customers' location data. The FCC said on Monday that these phone companies sold customers' location data to "aggregators," who resold access to the data to companies that provide location-based services. The FCC said dozens of location-based services accessed phone companies' customer data without ensuring consumer consent, even after the phone companies were aware of the links. In response to the FCC fines, all three phone providers said they expect to appeal the decision.

Persons: —, Jessica Rosenworcel, Ron Wyden Organizations: FCC, Service, Federal Communications Commission, Verizon, Mobile, Sprint, Companies, CNN

☆ Internet providers have to start using this 'nutrition facts' label that breaks down fees
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

"Nutrition facts" style labels for internet plans are finally a reality. As of Wednesday, the FCC now requires internet providers to break down costs and services for customers. That includes companies that provide both home, or fixed, internet services, as well as mobile broadband. AdvertisementAnd the labels aren't just designed for new customers — internet service providers must also make them available to current customers in their online account portals and provide the label when a customer asks for it. "The labels are modeled after the FDA nutrition labels and are intended to help consumers comparison shop for the internet service plan that will best meet their needs and budget."

Persons: — Organizations: FCC, Service, Federal Communications Commission, Reuters, Google, Verizon

☆ Net neutrality, blunted under Trump, may soon be revived
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Demonstrator on the issue of net neutrality at the U.S. Capitol February 27, 2018 in Washington, DC. Net neutrality is poised for a resurgence after the Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to begin the process of reestablishing the so-called open internet rules. The vote revives a debate that last came to a head in 2017 when the agency voted to reverse the net neutrality rules created just a couple of years earlier. Republican Commissioner Brendan Carr pointed to statements from Democratic lawmakers in support of net neutrality and called the earlier campaign for the rules a "viral disinformation campaign." "We're now faced with advocates who can't accept that they won and that we have de facto net neutrality," Republican Commissioner Nathan Simington said.

Persons: Democrats Rosenworcel, Gomez, Geoffrey Starks, Carr, Simington, Jessica Rosenworcel, Anna Gomez, Biden, Gigi Sohn, Brendan Carr, We're, Nathan Simington, Rosenworcel, They're Organizations: U.S, Capitol, Federal Communications, Democrats, Democratic, Republican, Communications, Comcast, CNBC, White Locations: Washington ,, California, Sacramento

☆ In a first-ever for space junk, Dish Network was fined $150,000 for leaving a retired satellite to orbit indefinitely in the wrong place
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The agency said Dish left the satellite at the wrong disposal orbit at the end of its mission. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Federal Communications Commission announced Monday it has fined Dish Network $150,000 for a retired satellite that was left in the wrong place in space as concerns about space trash grow. In a statement, the FCC said Dish left the retired satellite at a "disposal orbit well below the elevation" that was required. AdvertisementAdvertisementInstead, after realizing in 2022 that the satellite was low on propellant and would not be able to reach that altitude, Dish retired the satellite only about 76 miles above that operational arc. The FCC said the lower disposal orbit could pose space debris concerns.

Persons: —, Loyaan, Flytrap, Joel C, TransAstra Organizations: FCC, Dish Network, Service, Federal Communications Commission, Dish, Bureau, FCC's, NASA

☆ An ex-GMU law professor is suing his former students in a $108 million defamation case. His defense is similar to Johnny Depp's.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Wright then filed a defamation suit against the former students, seeking $108 million in damages. Reuters/ReutersUltimately, Depp won $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages in his defamation case against Heard. And juries appear to be more receptive to ruling on behalf of defamation claimants, especially after big wins in cases like Depp's, Lovell told Insider. "By showing he's going through the legal system and going after them for $108 million dollars, it makes a statement," Lovell said about Wright's legal strategy. "These cases are rarely about monetary damages and are more often a vehicle to repair a reputation," Pearson told Insider.

Persons: Joshua Wright, Wright, Depp, Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, Donald Trump, Jean Carroll, Elyse Dorsey, Angela Landry, Law360, —, Dorsey, Landry, Hank Johnson, Tom Wheeler, Ajit Pai, Wheeler, Chip Somodevilla, George Mason, Getty Wright, Sandy Hook, Alex Jones, Tracy A, Pearson, Heard, Tre Lovell, Lovell, they're, Lindsay R, Johnny Depp's Organizations: Service, Federal Trade Commission, George Mason University, Federal Communications, Federal Trade, Capitol, Republicans, Communications, Bloomberg, George, Depp Defense, Voting, Fox News, Reuters, Binnall Locations: Wall, Silicon, WASHINGTON, DC, Rayburn, Washington , DC, Virginia

☆ US FCC will release public comments on bid to deny Fox TV station license renewal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A man walks past the logo of Fox Networks Group during the annual MIPCOM television programme market in Cannes, France, October 16, 2018. The FCC said it was opening a public docket allowing for release of comments and presentations, saying permitting broader participation will serve the public interest. A Fox Television spokesperson on Wednesday said the "petition to deny the license renewal of WTXF-TV is frivolous, completely without merit and asks the FCC to upend the First Amendment and long-standing FCC precedent." The FCC, an independent federal agency, does not license broadcast networks, but issues them to individual broadcast stations on a staggered basis for eight-year periods. Fox cited FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel's comments in 2017 opposing Trump's suggestion the FCC could revoke the broadcast license for Comcast's (CMCSA.O) NBC over coverage of his administration.

Persons: Eric Gaillard, Fox, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Jessica Rosenworcel's, Rosenworcel, David Shepardson, Sonali Paul Organizations: Fox Networks Group, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Fox Television Stations, The Media, Democracy, Fox, U.S . Capitol, FCC, Fox Corp, Dominion Voting Systems, Republican, Fox Television, FOX, Philadelphia, NBC, Thomson Locations: Cannes, France, Philadelphia, U.S

☆ US FCC proposes to force cable TV operators to disclose full pricing
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The plan would require providers to disclose the total cost of video programming service - including broadcast retransmission consent, regional sports programming and other programming-related fees - as a prominent single line item on bills and in promotional materials. Major cable TV companies include Comcast Corp (CCZ.N), Cox Communications, Charter Communications (CHTR.O) and others. NCTA-The Internet & Television Association, an industry group representing the major cable TV companies, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. ACA Connects, which represents smaller video providers, said its members "are committed to transparency in their sales and billing practices." The rules require broadband providers to display, at the time of sale, labels that show prices, speeds, fees and data allowances.

Persons: Joe Biden, Biden, Jessica Rosenworcel, Anna Gomez, David Shepardson, Will Dunham, Chris Reese Organizations: U.S . Federal Communications Commission, Comcast Corp, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Dish Network, Democratic, FCC, & Television Association, Democrats, Senate Republicans, Thomson

☆ Her son said his stepdad was sexually abusive. A judge gave the stepdad custody anyway. Then she found the photographs.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Olivia Gentile | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +58 min

Robert confronted Winenger with the allegations that November, and within weeks Winenger denied the claims in family court. In a family court hearing in Vista, California, on October 28, 2021, Commissioner Patti Ratekin chastised Jill Montes for allegedly alienating her kids from her ex-husband. From a list provided by the Delaware Family Court, Kelly chose a psychologist, William Northey. Their father cited the report in asking a Delaware family court judge to order the boys to change schools. Family Court of the State of Delaware, New Castle CountyCiting the email and a subsequent report, Michael pressed Ostroski to order the transfer.

Persons: he'd, Robert, stepdad, Thomas Winenger, Winenger, Robert's, Jill Montes, Montes, Patti Ratekin, she'd, Ratekin, Richard Gardner, Gardner, Lynn Steinberg, she's, Maya, shrieks, Joan Meier, They'd, —, Meier, Tom Brenner, Paige, Maggie Shannon, Claire, Eden, Weeks, Hester Prynne, Mitra Sarkhosh, Sarkhosh, San Diego Robert, Tom Winenger, Tamatha Clemens, Miguel Alvarez, Alvarez, overreact, Alvarez didn't, Bridges, Janell Ostroski, Linda Gottlieb, Ostroski, Michael D, Ashton, Alfield Reeves, Michael, Kelly D, Kelly, who've, Randy Rand, Chris, Rand, he's, Rand isn't, Jane Shatz of, Joann Murphey, Murphey, Steinberg, Ally Toyos, Kit R, Toyos, Emily, Richard Warshak, Elizabeth Loftus, Harvey Weinstein's, Loftus, Hannah Rodriguez, Linda Gottlieb's, Gottlieb, Rodriguez, Yvonne Parnell, Brian Ludmer, Ludmer, Parnell, aren't, Daniel Barrozo, Mom, Jean Mercer, Mercer, who'd, Michael Saini, Saini, Hannah Yoon, — Ashton, Judge Ostroski, William Northey, Northey, O, Addie Asay, mistreating Ashton, Rachel Brandenburg, Brandenburg, I've, Michael's, Gardner's, Gardner dosed, Dr, Paul Fink, Fink, Warshak, William Bernet, Patrick Clancy, doesn't, She'd, Brian Fitzpatrick, Sen, Susan Rubio, Meier's, Rebecca Connolly, didn't, Connolly, Heidi Simonson, Rubio, Theresa Manzella Organizations: Investigations, San, Business, Child Welfare, of, American Psychiatric Association, World Health Organization, American Professional Society, George Washington University, Violence Law, George Washington University Law School, Columbia University, PAS, Sarkhosh, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, California Health, Welfare Agency, Psychology, Bridges, Texas, Roane, Stockton University, University of Toronto, Families, Delaware Family Court, Family, Delaware Family, Association of Family, Conciliation, Newsday, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, HarperCollins, Family Bridges, Vanderbilt University, Disorders, The Justice Department, WHO, of Social Welfare, Family Law, Winenger, Montes, Superior Locations: San Diego County, Vista , California, of California, Family Bridges, United States, Santa Cruz , California, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, toddlerhood, Ratekin, San, California, Eden, New Castle County , Delaware, New York, Ashton, Delaware, Jane Shatz of California, Seattle, Southern California, Texas, Kansas, Toyos, Bozeman , Montana, Family, Tampa , Florida, New, Hudson Valley, Chino , California, Wilmington , Delaware, of Delaware, New Castle County, Denver, Washington, Pennsylvania, Susan Rubio of Los Angeles County, statehouses, Watsonville , California, Santa Cruz, Michigan , Kansas, Utah, Colorado, Montana

☆ Biden administration looks to free up wireless spectrum for advanced technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Wednesday launched an effort to identify significant wireless spectrum that can be repurposed for advanced technology needs and soaring U.S. wireless demand. The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is developing a National Spectrum Strategy with a goal to identify at least 1,500 megahertz of spectrum to study for potential new uses. The strategy will address current and future spectrum needs, including fixed and mobile wireless broadband, next-generation satellite communications and other space-based systems; advanced transportation; and industrial and commercial applications. Congress last week let the FCC's authority to auction wireless spectrum lapse for the first time in three decades, prompting some lawmakers to quickly restore the authority that has raised more than $200 billion in proceeds for the U.S. government. "We've got 6G networks coming, new mega-constellations of satellites, connected automobiles, the internet of things - all of that demands new uses of spectrum," Davidson said.

☆ Biden administration looks to free up wireless spectrum for advance technology needs
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 15 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Wednesday is launching an effort to identify significant wireless spectrum that can be repurposed for advanced technology needs and soaring U.S. wireless demand. The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is developing a National Spectrum Strategy with a goal to identify at least 1,500 megahertz of spectrum to study for potential new uses. The strategy will address current and future spectrum needs, including fixed and mobile wireless broadband, next-generation satellite communications and other space-based systems; advanced transportation; and industrial and commercial applications. Congress last week let the FCC's authority to auction wireless spectrum lapse for the first time in three decades, prompting some lawmakers to quickly restore the authority that has raised more than $200 billion in proceeds for the U.S. government. "We've got 6G networks coming, new mega-constellations of satellites, connected automobiles, the internet of things - all of that demands new uses of spectrum," Davidson said.

☆ FCC authorizes SpaceX to begin deploying up to 7,500 next-generation Starlink satellites
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Michael Sheetz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Federal Communications Commission issued a key authorization to Elon Musk's SpaceX on Thursday, granting approval for the company to move forward with launching up to 7,500 next-generation satellites in its Starlink internet network. "Our action will allow SpaceX to begin deployment of Gen 2 Starlink," the FCC wrote in the order. The FCC did not grant SpaceX's full application, which included deployment of nearly 30,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, and it placed some conditions on the company's plan to deploy the satellites. The FCC imposed a limit on the number of satellites in SpaceX's second-generation of the Starlink constellation, also known as Gen2, in order "to address concerns about orbital debris and space safety." To date SpaceX has launched about 3,500 first-generation Starlink satellites into orbit.

☆ China will move to protect its firms following U.S. telecoms ban
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Dec 1 (Reuters) - China opposes the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's ban on new Chinese telecommunications equipment sales, the commerce ministry said on Thursday, vowing to adopt necessary measures to safeguard the rights of its domestic firms. The Biden administration on Friday banned the sale or import of new telecommunications equipment from China's Huawei Technologies and ZTE (000063.SZ), citing national security risks. Washington designated five Chinese companies to the so-called "covered list" in March 2021: Huawei, ZTE, telecoms firm Hytera Communications Corp, video surveillance firm Hikvision and surveillance equipment maker Dahua. The commission said the following June that it was considering banning all equipment authorisations for the firms on the list. Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao expressed concerns over U.S. trade restrictions against China during a recent talk with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, Shu said last week.

☆ U.S. FCC commissioner urges govt action on TikTok -Axios
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON, Nov 1 (Reuters) - The federal government should take action to rein in online media platform TikTok Inc, one of the U.S. FCC's commissioners said in an interview, Axios reported on Tuesday. "I don’t believe there is a path forward for anything other than a ban," the Federal Communications Commission's Brendan Carr told the news outlet, citing recent revelations about how TikTok and its Chinese parent ByteDance handle data of U.S. users. Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Chris GallagherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. agency adds China Unicom, Pacific Networks to national security threat list
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-20 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Andrew KellySept 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) named Chinese telecom companies Pacific Networks Corp, its wholly-owned subsidiary ComNet (USA) LLC and China Unicom (Americas) as threats to U.S. national security, the regulator said Tuesday. The designations are under a 2019 law aimed at protecting U.S. communications networks. The FCC said the companies are subject to the Chinese government's exploitation, influence and control, along with the associated national security risks. Earlier this year, the U.S. regulator voted to revoke China Unicom's U.S. unit, Pacific Networks and ComNet's authorization to operate in the United States, citing national security concerns. In March, the FCC added Russia's AO Kaspersky Lab, China Telecom (Americas) Corp (0728.HK) and China Mobile International USA (0941.HK) to the covered list.

☆ Elon Musk says SpaceX's Starlink internet is active on all 7 continents
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet is active across all seven continents, CEO Elon Musk tweeted. The company launched 54 Starlink satellites on Sunday to add to its constellation. SpaceX launched on Sunday a batch of 54 Starlink satellites after five previous attempts were scrubbed because of bad weather. These satellites have joined the 3,076 working Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit. Musk sent Starlink terminals to the country after Ukraine's vice-prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, asked Musk in February for help.

☆ SpaceX says FCC's 'grossly unfair' rejection of $886 million Starlink subsidy leaves many Americans stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-12 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

SpaceX said the FCC's rejection of an $886 million Starlink subsidy was "unreasonable" and "unfair." It leaves Americans stranded on the wrong side of the digital divide, SpaceX said in a filing. Turning down a subsidy for Starlink internet leaves many Americans "stranded indefinitely on the wrong side of the digital divide," Goldman said. He said the rejection of SpaceX's application for the subsidy was "erroneous and unreasonable," as well as "contrary to the evidence" and "grossly unfair." The FCC and SpaceX didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.

☆ FCC commissioner slams the agency for rejecting Elon Musk's bid for $886 million in funding to SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-25 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Commissioner Brendan Carr slammed the FCC for denying SpaceX $886 million in US subsidies to expand Starlink. Carr said he was surprised to find out via an FCC press release that the agency had changed its mind on providing funding to Starlink. As part of an FCC program to introduce high-speed internet to rural US locations, SpaceX in 2020 won tentative approval for $886 million in funding to deploy Starlink. The FCC and SpaceX didn't respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of US operating hours. It follows the US Air Force awarding SpaceX a $1.92 million contract for Starlink to support US military bases in Europe and Africa.

☆ Elon Musk's SpaceX lands $2 million Air Force deal for Starlink internet despite FCC's rejection of $886 million subsidy
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-17 | by ( Kate Duffy | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX has landed a $2 million Air Force contract to provide Starlink in Europe and Africa. SpaceX has the most well-established satellite network compared to other firms, the Air Force said. Under the contract, Starlink, which has more than 2,700 satellites in orbit, will support the Air Force's 86th Airlift Wing based at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. The Air Force also said it expected Starlink to provide up to 500 megabits per second download speed and low latency connectivity. SpaceX was seeking funding for Starlink to provide internet within rural communities in almost 650,000 locations across 35 states.

☆ Elon Musk's Starlink gets FCC green light to beam broadband into moving cars, planes, boats
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-01 | by ( Isobel Asher Hamilton | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Starlink is now allowed to beam broadband into moving vehicles, the FCC said Thursday. This means it will be possible to use Starlink in moving cars, planes, and boats. Starlink already has deals to provide in-flight WiFi to at least two airlines. Starlink uses a network of satellites in low orbit to beam down broadband to users' satellite dishes, called terminals. At launch the company said the internet service could not be used while the RV was in motion.

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