Several important tech policy stories have emerged recently, including a settlement made by the big three carriers in the U.S. to pay $10 million to settle claims of false unlimited advertising, with unclear implications for consumers. Additionally, a studio takedown notice for a 15-year-old fan-made “Hunt for Gollum” film was revealed to be a mistake after the film racked up over 13 million views on YouTube.
US Cellular is reportedly in talks with Verizon about a potential deal, but discussions with T-Mobile seem more likely, indicating further consolidation in the wireless industry. The FBI has urged its employees to find ways to collect Americans’ messages through surveillance tools to demonstrate its importance, raising concerns over privacy and civil liberties.
Vermont is close to becoming the first state to charge Big Oil for climate damage under the Superfund climate law, which has been criticized by Big Oil as unfair. A professor has sued Meta to release a tool for Facebook that would allow users to control their feeds, highlighting the ongoing debate around Section 230 immunity for tech companies.
The FCC has explicitly prohibited fast lanes for applications, closing a possible net neutrality loophole that would violate the FCC’s no-limitation rule. OpenAI is recruiting researchers to test a new deepfake detector to combat the spread of fake news and misinformation. Microsoft has launched an AI chatbot for spies called GPT-4 on a secure network, enabling potential innovation while maintaining security.
TikTok and its Chinese owner, ByteDance, have sued the US government over a foreign adversary law that restricts protected speech on the platform. Boeing has admitted that workers skipped required tests on the 787 aircraft, raising concerns about safety and compliance with regulations. The US plan to purge Huawei from telecom networks has been stalled by a funding shortfall, as Congress has only provided 38% of the funds needed for the initiative, according to the FCC chairman.
These stories highlight the complex and evolving landscape of technology policy, with implications for privacy, competition, national security, and consumer protection. It is essential for policymakers, regulators, and industry stakeholders to address these issues in a comprehensive and collaborative manner to ensure a balanced and fair digital environment for all.
Article Source
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/05/google-sends-doj-unexpected-check-in-attempt-to-avoid-monopoly-trial/