Restoring net neutrality rules under Title II classification increases regulatory oversight and sparks opposition from taxpayer advocacy groups and Republican lawmakers. [ more ]
Net neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providers
Restoration of net neutrality rules was approved by FCC, preventing broadband providers from favoritism. Previous rules were overturned in 2017, new legislation reinforces equal online treatment. [ more ]
Biden calls for ban on AI voice generations during State of the Union
President Biden addressed the importance of AI in his State of the Union speech, emphasizing the need for bipartisan privacy legislation and banning AI voice impersonations.
The FCC clarified that AI voice calls are considered artificial and largely prohibited under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Biden's comments indicate a potential expansion of protections against AI-generated voices. [ more ]
The FCC has ruled that robocalls using AI-generated voices are illegal due to concerns over scams and voter deception.
AI-generated voices have been used in robocalls to extort money from vulnerable individuals and imitate celebrities.
The ruling allows the FCC to fine violators, block telephone companies carrying the calls, and gives victims the ability to sue robocallers using AI. [ more ]
FCC slaps four major US carriers with a fine over selling customers' location data
FCC fined major US carriers for sharing customers' location data without consent. This violation underscores the risk to users' privacy when data is improperly handled. [ more ]
FCC Partners With States to Increase on Privacy and Data Protection Investigations, Signaling Increased Focus on Future Enforcement
The FCC has signed agreements with several states to collaborate on privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity investigations.
The FCC plans to increase its investigation and enforcement activities in these areas using its authority under Sections 201 and 222 of the Communications Act. [ more ]
The UK beefs up smart home security by going after bad default passwords
Manufacturers in the UK are now required to ensure tech gadgets have unique default passwords or allow users to define them, under updated regulations. [ more ]
FCC finally set to do something about SS7 vulnerabilities
The FCC is focusing on securing flaws in SS7 and Diameter protocols to prevent spying on wireless devices by foreign governments and surveillance outfits.
SS7 and Diameter protocols have known security weaknesses allowing for tracking locations, intercepting calls/messages, and carrying out network spoofing attacks. [ more ]
The FCC has introduced new rules to combat SIM-swapping and port-out fraud, requiring telcos to give consumers more control of their mobile phone accounts.
Wireless carriers must now notify customers of any SIM transfer requests to prevent fraudulent attempts by cybercriminals.
The new rules aim to address SIM-swapping attacks that have been widely reported in cybercriminal attacks against businesses and consumers. [ more ]
FCC orders telecom carriers to report PII data breaches within 30 days
Telecom companies must report data breaches impacting customers' personally identifiable information within 30 days.
The updated data breach reporting rules expand the scope to include personally identifiable information and inadvertent access, use, or disclosure of customer information. [ more ]
FCC should probe Apple over Beeper Mini shutdown: GOP Commissioner Carr
Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has called for an investigation into Apple for blocking the Beeper Mini app that allowed Android users to access iMessage.
Carr argues that Apple's action may have violated the FCC's Part 14 rules, which require that advanced communication services be accessible to people with disabilities. [ more ]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned robocalls that use AI-generated voices, sending a clear message that the technology will not be exploited for scams or voter manipulation.
The ruling empowers the FCC to fine companies using AI voices, allows call recipients to file lawsuits, and enables state attorneys general to crack down on violators. [ more ]
US FCC decides AI robocalls are most definitely illegal
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has declared AI-generated voices in robocalls illegal under the existing Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
The ruling gives state attorneys general more power to pursue AI robocall operators, who can face fines of up to $1,500 per violation. [ more ]
FCC issues cease-and-desist order to operator linked to AI-generated Biden robocall
The FCC issued a cease-and-desist notice to Lingo Telecom for its alleged role in deploying AI-generated robocalls imitating President Joe Biden during the New Hampshire primary.
The calls were aimed at dissuading residents from voting and could violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. [ more ]
The FCC is seeking to make AI-powered robocalls illegal due to concerns about scams using voice-cloning technology.
State Attorneys General offices may receive new tools to crack down on robocall scams if this technology is recognized as illegal under existing law. [ more ]
Ted Cruz wants to stop the FCC from updating data-breach notification rules
Republican senators are opposing the Federal Communications Commission's plan to impose new data-breach notification requirements on telecom providers.
They argue that the proposed rules violate a congressional order from 2017 that invalidated similar privacy and security rules issued by the FCC. [ more ]