Gov't Legislation/Regulation Topic Center

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

A stinky onion blooms in the Senate, say H-1B critics

With the H-1B fight over and lost, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) lashed out, almost flailing in the minutes before the Senate Judiciary Committee's final vote Tuesday.
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U.S. power companies under frequent cyberattack

A survey of U.S. utilities shows many are facing frequent cyberattacks that could threaten a highly interdependent power grid supplying more than 300 million people, according to a congressional report.

Apple defends offshore decisions that result in low taxes

Apple pays a fair share of the taxes it owes the U.S. and other nations, its CEO said Tuesday, despite criticism from U.S. senators that the company is ducking taxes by shifting profits to subsidiaries that the company does not consider tax residents of any nation.

EU probe could could slow European vendors supplying tech for China's 4G deployment

The European Union may be trying to protect its telecom equipment industry with its recent threat to investigate China over networking equipment imports. But the move could end up hurting the chances of Western vendors intent on supplying technology to China's upcoming 4G services launch, according to analysts.

Senate report: Apple claims subsidiaries with no taxing jurisdiction

Apple has set up three foreign subsidiaries that the company claims are not resident in any nation for taxing purposes, in an effort to avoid paying tens of billions of dollars in taxes to the U.S. and other countries, according to a new report from a U.S. Senate subcommittee.

Immigration reform may spur software robotics

The Senate immigration bill's H-1B restrictions have clearly upset Indian firms. But sometimes being in a tough spot can prompt new ways of approaching problems. One firm is implementing software robots.

U.S. approves Apple iOS devices for use on Defense Department networks

Devices built around the Apple iOS operating system have been approved by the U.S. Department of Defense for use on its networks, as the department moves to support multivendor mobile devices and operating systems.

Q&A: Bitcoin developer talks regulation, open source and the elusive Satoshi Nakamoto

With Bitcoin all the rage and startups popping up left and right, it's hard to know who's an expert in the virtual currency and who just has an opinion. Most people would put Jeff Garzik in the former camp.

Texas drone bill sparks a battle

The battle to find a balance between privacy concerns and the beneficial use of drones for commercial and law enforcement purposes is in sharp focus in a bill that's winding its way through the Texas legislature.

T-Mobile won't fight FCC's net neutrality rules

T-Mobile USA has dropped a pending challenge to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission's net neutrality rules.

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.

Can the U.S. patent system be saved?

Getting people to agree on the problems, let alone the solutions, is no easy task.

NTIA to address mobile privacy at July 12 meeting

The U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration will step up work on an effort to develop mobile privacy standards on July 12, when the agency meets with mobile carriers, app developers and other stakeholders in the first of a series of meetings on online privacy.