Government/ Industries

Gov't Legislation/Regulation Topic Center

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

Iran blocks access to some outside websites, services

The Iranian government has severed some citizens' connections to secure websites and services, including Twitter and Google's Gmail, according to reports by Iranians and network experts.
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FDA defends its monitoring of whistle-blowers' email

The FDA Friday said it monitored the private email accounts of nine agency whistle-blowers starting in 2010 to determine whether any of them leaked confidential information to the public.

FCC map: Large areas lack mobile broadband

Large portions of the western half of the U.S. do not have access to 3G or faster mobile broadband service, according to a new map released by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.

Feds look beyond LightSquared to set GPS interference standards

A high-ranking federal official and aviation industry leaders called on Wednesday for rules to prevent future interference with GPS, looking beyond a proposal by would-be hybrid mobile operator LightSquared that may be doomed by broad opposition.

Obama's H-1B answer in forum may haunt him

Until President Barack Obama responded to a question about H-1B visas during an online forum last week, the administration had said little about the controversial program.

EU to strengthen its cybersecurity watchdog

A push by European authorities to strengthen the European Union's cyber security watchdog has been given a green light by parliamentarians.

LightSquared asks FCC to regulate GPS receivers

FTC warns makers of background checking apps

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has sent warning letters to the makers of six mobile apps used for background checks, saying the apps may violate a consumer credit protection law.

Groups: Congress should scrap SOPA, PIPA and start over

The U.S. Congress should scrap two controversial copyright enforcement bills and start over with attempts to target foreign websites accused of infringement and counterfeiting, more than 70 groups have said.

Voice and video calls via Wi-Fi from 30,000 feet?

Federal regulations forbid making calls from cellphones while aboard U.S. commercial planes in-flight, but Wi-Fi services could eventually support voice and video calls over the Internet.

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.

5 reasons why SIEM is more important than ever

IT environments are growing ever more distributed, complex and difficult to manage, making the role of security information and event management (SIEM) technology more important than ever. Here's why.

QuickPoll: Is there a conspiracy to take down Android with patent lawsuits?

Patents cases are mounting against Android and makers of products that run on Android. The latest: Samsung's Tab has been barred from sale in Europe. Google charges that rivals, among them Apple, are waging a 'hostile, organized campaign against Android' using 'bogus patents.' Is it a conspiracy?

Apple gets injunction barring Samsung Tab sales in Europe

Apple on Tuesday confirmed that a German court has granted a preliminary injunction blocking Samsung from selling the Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablets across all European Union nations, except for the Netherlands.

10 hard truths IT must learn to accept

Unsanctioned devices, compromised networks, downtime -- today's IT is all about embracing imperfections.