The international terrorist organization variously known as ISIS, ISIL or Daesh is the first group to effectively wage war on both the digital and physical fronts. Now a collection of countries and private companies are working to engage young people around the world to counter ISIS messaging online.
SNL Kagan: Pay-TV Subs Drop by 1M in 2015 (Broadcasting & Cable)
The pay-TV universe lost more than 1.1 million subscribers during 2015, according to SNL Kagan. Kagan says the 2015 drop was more than four times the 2014 decline and was the third straight year that cable, satellite and telcos combined ended up with fewer customers.
“Utility” Regulation Was Good for the Internet (and here’s why …) (Communications Law Blog- Commentary)
Commissioner Pai echoes the view of many critics who tell us the Internet evolved into the great vehicle it is today with no regulation. That is just wrong. In fact, the FCC regulated the early Internet as a utility in ways that unquestionably fostered its freedom, growth, and diversity.
Microsoft reverses course, says ‘no thanks’ to Bitcoin payments (Network World)
Bitcoin’s day in the sun at Microsoft appears to be over, at least for now. According to a report on Softpedia, the purveyor of all things Windows has decided to stop taking the cryptocurrency after accepting it as a form of payment on the WIndows Store since late 2014.
Net Neutrality Case Puts FCC Rules — and the Rulemakers — on Trial (Inside Sources)
The landmark net neutrality ruling expected from a federal appeals court this spring isn’t just about the FCC’s Internet rules — the case will have a lot to say about whether the presidential appointees writing the far-reaching new regulations broke the law themselves. That allegation is at the heart of an industry group’s lawsuit.
Wireless Fever Cools Before FCC Auction (Bloomberg)
The U.S. government soon will reveal which companies want to bid on airwaves in the next multibillion-dollar spectrum auction. Who’s not on the list, due out as soon as this week, could be as significant as who is. Not only has cash-tight Sprint Corp. declined to join, but rich outsiders like Google are also sitting this one out.
Digital Divide Key To Review Of Charter Deal (LA Times)
Bridging the so-called digital divide has long been a priority of President Obama. And addressing the issue has become a key component in the government’s review of Charter Communications’ proposed $67-billion plan to acquire two other cable companies — Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
Facebook, Google and WhatsApp plan to increase encryption of user data (The Guardian)
Silicon Valley’s leading companies – including Facebook, Google and Snapchat – are working on their own increased privacy technology as Apple fights the US government over encryption. The projects could antagonize authorities just as much as Apple’s more secure iPhones.
Twitter In Discussions With Top Vine Creators About Payment (Buzzfeed)
While Vine is a home for content, it doesn’t actually create it. And while its biggest stars have gained millions of followers, they have often had to look for other ways to make money, as it has never had a revenue-sharing component. Now, some of these creators are asking to be compensated for their work.
TEXAS STRIVES FOR BROADBAND ACCESS TO ALL STUDENTS BY 2018 (Dallas Morning News)
Gov. Greg Abbott wants every one of Texas’s 5.2 million schoolchildren to have access to broadband Internet by 2018. The state will partner with Education Superhighway, a national nonprofit that is working with 38 other states to upgrade infrastructure and find affordable ways to meet the connectivity goals of students and communities.
5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FCC’S PROPOSED PRIVACY RULES (Pro Publica)
The FCC proposed new privacy rules for Internet providers. The new rules would prohibit Internet providers from sharing information with third parties about a customer’s name, address, location and Internet activity, unless they have opted in to having their data shared. The rules also broaden the types of data that are protected.
LIFELINE IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION (WE HOPE) (AT&T Public Policy Blog0- Commentary)
The effort to modernize the troubled Lifeline program appears to be moving in the right direction. AT&T has long supported the need to fix the program’s glaring administrative problems while allowing Lifeline eligible consumers to use their $9.25 discount on Internet access services.
Judge Allows Lindsay Lohan to Advance in ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Lawsuit (Hollywood Reporter)
Lindsay Lohan doesn’t have a tremendous track record when it comes to lawsuits, but the actress has notched a surprising victory at the early stage of a lawsuit against Take-Two and its subsidiary Rockstar Games over Grand Theft Auto V. The actress says the game publisher used her image in violation of New York civil rights laws.