Government/ Industries

Gov't Legislation/Regulation Topic Center

News and analysis about laws and rules that affect how IT does its job

FTC taps privacy advocate Paul Ohm as adviser

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has hired Paul Ohm, a privacy advocate and critic of current online privacy practices, as a senior privacy adviser for consumer protection and competition issues affecting the Internet and mobile services.
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EU offers Google a chance to avoid fines over four antitrust concerns

Google has "a matter of weeks" to address four antitrust issues identified by European Union antitrust regulators. If Google addresses these issues the case can be solved by a so-called "commitment decision" instead of formal antitrust proceedings resulting in a fine, said JoaquAn Almunia, Vice President of the European Commission responsible for Competition Policy.

Some HTC smartphones released to US carriers after passing customs

Taiwanese smartphone vendor High Tech Computer said on Sunday certain models of its newest smartphones have passed U.S. Customs and are being released to its carrier customers, after the company previously warned of a delay in product shipments because of an International Trade Commission (ITC) order.

Senate bill slots 55,000 tech green cards

There's a new push in the Senate to set aside as many as 55,000 green cards to science, technology, engineering and math graduates -- so-called STEM workers.

LightSquared's bankruptcy is a cautionary tale

After more than a year of active testing and debate over LightSquared's plan for a nationwide, wholesale 4G network, the now bankrupt company may end up as no more than a cautionary tale for mobile investors.

New coalition opposes Verizon and cable spectrum deals

A proposed sale of mobile spectrum from a group of cable providers to Verizon Wireless, along with accompanying marketing and research agreements, will lead to higher prices for broadband and mobile customers, a coalition of groups opposing the deal said Monday.

FTC shuts down website marketing business

A federal court in Arizona has shut down the operations of a company that allegedly promised it would build its customers websites that would generate income of up to $20,000 per month, after the U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint about its business practices.

Senator seeks DOJ cellphone tracking data

U.S. Senator Al Franken has in a letter asked the Department of Justice for information on its practices in requesting location information from wireless carriers.

California moves to stop employers demanding Facebook passwords

The California assembly passed a bill on Thursday that prevents employers from demanding job applicants' passwords for accounts on Facebook or other social networking sites.

Small cells could raise big problems

Amid growing interest in small cells, widely seen as an inevitable tool for carriers to deal with booming mobile data demand, there are now signs that it may be hard to derive the expected benefits from them in some cases.

Cloud computing: You can't outsource your compliance obligations

Even if your cloud provider is at fault should your company fall out of compliance, the law will come after you.

Court Has Compromised Software Rights

This ruling is disastrous for any company that has developed software for internal use.

Why Google should be allowed to 'harvest' your Wi-Fi data

The FCC cleared Google of wrongdoing in the so-called 'WiSpy' case. It was the right call, says columnist Mike Elgan, because Google did nothing wrong.

Grading the Tech Policy Makers: A First Quarter Recap

It's been a busy 2012 on the Hill. As legislators and policymakers grapple with an array of issues central to the policy agendas of companies in the technology industry, CIO.com takes stock of how Washington has moved on intellectual property, cybersecurity, privacy and spectrum in the first quarter of 2012.

Are Google and Apple really 'monopolies'?

Recent charges claiming that Google or Apple are monopolies, are monopolistic or wield monopoly power are simply false. And those who use the M word about these companies are misleading you, writes columnist Mike Elgan.

SOPA Controversy

Internet censorship or protecting creative work from theft? The controversy over SOPA and PIPA legislation.

15 top quotes of 2011

As another year draws to a close, we look back on the IT-related comments that stuck with us.

Has the spam problem been solved?

Microsoft founder Bill Gates said in 2004 that the problem of spam would be solved within two years. His timing was off, but I was shocked to realize this week that I really don't get much spam anymore.

Why net neutrality is better for business

President Obama threatened to veto a bill this week that overturns new FCC rules stating that Internet providers cannot limit lawful network traffic. On Thursday, the Senate voted the same bill down. Under the new FCC rules put into force last December, mobile broadband providers can't block applications that compete with their services. The administration's position on the rules and the bill introduced to overturn them is clearly stated here.

Continuing coverage: Patent wars

Tech companies are hitting the courts in droves. We track the patent madness.