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FTC Releases Final Agenda for 2019 PrivacyCon

The FTC announced the final agenda for the fourth annual PrivacyCon, which will take place on June 27, 2019 and focus on the latest research and trends related to consumer privacy and data security.  FTC Chairman Joe Simons will provide opening remarks for PrivacyCon 2019, which will be followed by four sessions of presentations and discussions on research submitted for the event. 

U.S. House Representative Reintroduces Three Bills Aimed at Expanding Broadband Access

Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) announced that she reintroduced three bills during Infrastructure Week to expand access to broadband.

Arkansas State Broadband Plan Released

The Governor of Arkansas released a the Arkansas State Broadband Plan, which sets a goal to deploy high-speed broadband to all Arkansas communities with more than 500 residents by 2022. The high-speed broadband would have a rate of 25 megabits per second for download and 3 megabits per second for upload. 

U.S. Senate to Hold Hearing on the use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms

In a press release,  it was announced that U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation, and the Internet, will convene a hearing titled, “Optimizing for Engagement: Understanding the Use of Persuasive Technology on Internet Platforms,” on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. 

FTC Breaks up Robocall Scheme

FTC announces summary judgment against two individuals, approved six settlement agreements involving 11 defendants, and entered a default judgment against the remaining seven defendants, officially ending the massive Pointbreak Media robocall scheme. 

Georgia Bills Allow Electric or Telephone Cooperatives to Provide Broadband

The first bill allows for electric cooperatives to provide broadband and the second bill allows for telephone cooperatives to do the same.  Both bills allow for financing and certain partnerships for the provision of broadband services.  Both laws became effective upon approval by the Governor, which was April 26, 2019.

Kansas Broadband Map

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers announced the completion of the first iteration of a broadband availability map for the State of Kansas.  “High speed broadband access is no longer a luxury, and unfortunately, there are still many areas throughout Kansas without adequate access to quality, affordable advanced broadband services,” Governor Kelly said.

Virgin Islands Granted Waiver to Conduct Wireless Emergency Alert Test

The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued an order granting a limited waiver allowing Emergency Alert System (EAS) Participants and Participating Commercial Mobile Service (CMS) Providers to participate in a test to be conducted by the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency.  The test will be conducted on March 14, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. Atlantic Standard Time. 

Federal Blockchain Legislation Introduced 

Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), both members of the House Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and Senator Todd Young and Senator Ed Markey, members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announced the introduction of the Blockchain Promotion Act of 2019 (HR 1361 and S 553). 

FTC Announces New Sessions of its Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection

The FTC sets new dates for the two previously scheduled sessions – broadband and consumer privacy – canceled due to the recent lapse in government funding.  The Hearings will also include sessions on international issues in competition, consumer protection and privacy, and the analysis of merger retrospectives, as well as a State Attorneys General roundtable.