Gov't Legislation/Regulation Topic Center

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

State officials take aim at Internet 'safe harbor' law

Frustrated by their difficulty prosecuting cases involving online content that is illegal or damaging to individuals, a group of state attorneys general are taking action.
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Obama directs agencies to move toward sharing spectrum

U.S. President Barack Obama has directed federal agencies to take new steps toward sharing their wireless spectrum with commercial operators, in an effort to meet growing demands for mobile data services.

Decades-old bets in Myanmar's tech industry finally reap rewards

It may have taken almost two decades, but Tun Thura Thet's investment in one of Asia's poorest countries is finally paying off.

Myanmar braces for mobile phone boom as Internet access trickles in

In Yangon, Myanmar, giant Samsung billboards hang overhead as dozens of handset shops line the crowded city streets and advertise the latest smartphones. Just a few years ago, you wouldn't have seen such a sight, said Soe Nyi Nyi, a local tech entrepreneur.

New York introduces legislation to regulate 3D printed arms

New legislation in New York City aims to regulate the use of 3D printers to make firearms, as the U.S. tries to cope with the possible proliferation online of drawings for making such arms.

FDA calls on medical device makers to focus on cybersecurity

Medical device makers should take new steps to protect their products from malware and cyberattacks or face the possibility that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration won't approve their devices for use.

New EU law mandates eCall in all new cars

From October 2015 all new cars in the European Union will have to be fitted with an eCall device according to new draft legislation announced Thursday.

Gmail access disrupted in Iran ahead of election

Access to Google's Gmail service appears to be disrupted in Iran just days before the country's presidential election.

Europe demands Prism answers from U.S. AG Holder

Europe's justice commissioner has given the U.S. attorney general until Friday to explain how far the secret so-called Prism program went in collecting data from European citizens.

Berlin rejects open source plan, looks to open standards instead

The German city-state of Berlin won't migrate to open source software. Instead, its parliament decided in principle to choose workplace IT based on open standards.

We should promote broadband pricing innovation

Experimentation with pricing structures will let the broadband providers -- and their customers -- test new business models without regulatory interference.

Prism doesn't have CIOs in a panic -- yet

Revelations over the U.S. National Security Agency's Prism surveillance program have much of the general public in uproar, but in terms of the controversy's impact to enterprise IT, some CIOs have measured, albeit watchful, reactions.

Everyone must work together for a better Internet

As officials prepare to gather for the ITU's big, global forum on the Internet, a plea for open minds, understanding and cooperation.

Supply chain 2013: Stop playing whack-a-mole with security threats

IT can never take all the risk out of a supply chain, but it can help organizations minimize their vulnerability in a world of new threats.

For credit card handlers, cloud computing guidelines just got clearer

The Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council has just issued guidance that anyone processing credit cards in the cloud will want to review.

A Declaration of the Interdependence of Cyberspace

On the anniversary of John Perry Barlow's issuing 'A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace,' a response and alternate call to action.

Google's antitrust settlement means few changes

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's antitrust settlement with Google will create few changes in the way the company operates, both critics and fans of the deal said.

CompTIA opinion: A technology agenda for Obama's second term

Among the issues that Congress and the president can tackle are taxation, STEM education and the need for a national standard on data breaches.

Preston Gralla: Tech talk seems to be taboo on the campaign trail

Discussions about technology issues are complex and not amenable to sound bites. But they are quite important nonetheless.

How to recycle your phone, PC and other tech gear

Recycling has become mandatory in many states -- here's how to choose the many different ways to sell, recycle, or give away all your unused or unusable gadgets.