Judicial Redress Bill Passes Senate (Broadcasting & Cable)
The Judicial Redress Act has passed the Senate but will need to be reconciled with an already-passed House version. The bill extends privacy protections to the digital content of citizens of European nations (the ones designated as U.S. allies) whose data flows to this country.
Communities Around Content Key to Growth of Video (Broadcasting & Cable)
Serving the communities around content is key to thriving in the video space, according to a panel session featuring execs from The Chernin Group (TCG) and related companies. “What these businesses are about is a short cut, a sign, a place for people to come,” said Sarah Harden, president of Otter Media, TCG’s venture.
Google gives more ground in battle against Europe’s ‘right to be forgotten’ (Network World)
Google has now agreed to remove links from all of its domains – including Google.com – that are accessible from a European country in which the company has acquiesced to a citizen’s invocation of his or her “right to be forgotten” as spelled out in Europe’s privacy laws.
Techies Are Backing Political Losers, Research Shows (Recode)
Tech execs can make lousy political bets. Consider entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel, who made a $2 million contribution to CARLY (Conservative Authentic Responsive Leadership for You and America), the Super PAC supporting Carly Fiorina’s candidacy.
HBO Now Is … Just Okay, With 800,000 Subscribers (Recode)
The Internet demanded it for years, and last year HBO finally gave it to them. But so far, only 800,000 people have subscribed to HBO Now, the pay TV channel’s Web-based service. HBO boss Richard Plepler disclosed the subscriber numbers during parent company Time Warner’s earnings call.
Senate to Vote on Permanent Internet Tax Ban (Inside Sources)
The Senate will vote Thursday on a bill containing a permanent ban on taxing Internet access, barring for the first time all state and local governments’ ability to tax web connectivity nationwide. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin agreed to a vote on the customs enforcement conference report containing the Internet Tax Freedom Act.
Wheeler Pledges Cable STB Choices, Privacy (Washington Post)
When FCC Chair Tom Wheeler officially unveils his long-awaited proposal next week to disrupt cable set-top boxes, it’ll contain a set of privacy provisions aimed at making sure new cable-box manufacturers don’t abuse the data they collect on viewer behaviors.
Facebook helps feds bust Detroit gang (USA Today)
With Facebook’s help, the federal government’s war on Detroit street gangs has netted another 12 arrests, this time planting a bull’s-eye on a violent group known as the Rollin 60s Crips whose members advertised their misdeeds on social media.
‘Queen of the Desert’ Producers File Copyright Lawsuit Against Internet Pirates (Hollywood Reporter)
In the latest push by Hollywood to clamp down on pirating, the production company behind the period film (starring James Franco, Nicole Kidman and Robert Pattinson) identifies seven IP addresses that distributed the movie via file-sharing site BitTorrent.
Netflix May Have to Suspend Operations in Russia, Says Government Minister (Hollywood Reporter)
Netflix may have to suspend operations in Russia until obtaining licenses, according to the government, which expects the U.S. video service to initiate dialog with authorities to avoid suspension. Authorities say Netflix, which launched in the country in early January, should obtain broadcasting and mass-media licenses.
A look into the semi-legal world of NBA highlight videos (Sports Illustrated)
Over the past few years YouTube has been inundated with channels focusing on the seasonal industry of NBA highlights. They have no contractual connection to the league, but in the era of democratized streaming it’s not hard for someone to cut together an eight minute package from the comfort of their own home.
SEN LEAHY PUSHES USDA TO BOOST RURAL BROADBAND SPEEDS (The Hill)
Sen Patrick Leahy called on the Agriculture Department to follow the FCC’s lead and raise the standard for high-speed Internet for its rural broadband loan program. The program gives money to Internet providers to build out broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.
REPUBLICANS’ LATEST PLAN TO UNDERMINE FCC ON CONSUMER PROTECTION (Public Knowledge- Commentary)
On tomorrow’s episode of Attempts to Undermine the Efficacy of the FCC, the House Commerce Committee’s Communications Subcommittee will mark up HR 2666, the so called “No Rate Regulation of Broadband Internet Access Act”. Ostensibly, the one-paragraph bill seems straightforward.