HOUSE PASSES SWEEPING FOIA REFORM LEGISLATION (The Hill)
The House passed legislation that would create the most sweeping reforms to federal open records laws in nearly a decade. Approved by voice vote, the Freedom of Information Act Oversight and Implementation Act (HR 653) would limit exemptions under the FOIA that now allow federal agencies to hold back information.
SUPREME COURT WON’T FORCE DHS TO REVEAL SECRET PLAN TO CUT CELL SERVICE (ARS Technica)
The Supreme Court is setting aside a petition from the Electronic Privacy Information Center that demanded the Department of Homeland Security release the US government’s secret plan to shutter mobile phone service during disasters.
Passing the Privacy Test as Student Data Laws Take Effect (EdSurge)
On January 1, “ SOPIPA”—the recently passed California student data privacy law that defines how edtech companies can use student data became effective. About 25 other states have passed similar laws that are already in effect, or will become effective.
Tribune Impasse Is Behind CW OTT Option (TV News Check)
The station group is balking at renewing its affiliation with the CBS-Warner Bros. network, objecting to paying higher reverse comp and insisting on another long-term deal, according to sources. If a deal can’t be reached, streaming CW is among the options.
What Washington Has In Store For Broadcasters (Broadcast Law Blog- Commentary)
It’s that time of the year when we need to dust off the crystal ball and make predictions about the legal issues that will impact the business of broadcasters in 2016. With this being an election year, issues may arise as regulators look to make a political point, or as FCC commissioners look to establish a legacy before the end of their terms.
Showtime Is Targeting ‘Cord Cobblers’ (Ad Week)
That’s how Showtime’s president-CEO, David Nevins, referred to his subscribers while discussing the evolution of his premium cable network. “Today’s audiences are cord cobblers, individuals and households who creatively manage their content consumption with an assortment of subscriptions that work uniquely for their needs.”
Binge-on controversy won’t go away (USA Today)
The controversy over T-Mobile’s new Binge-On program won’t go away. The move by the No. 3 wireless carrier to woo new customers with offers of free, but lower quality movie streaming, has raised questions over whether T-Mobile is showing favoritism to the video sites.
Live on Twitter: Periscope streaming in tweets (USA Today)
Looking to capitalize on the growing popularity of video, Twitter is bringing live broadcasts and replays from its popular video-streaming app Periscope directly into tweets. Twitter will be rolling out the new feature on iOS over the next couple of days. Users will be able to watch Periscope broadcasts without leaving the Twitter app.
Netizen Report: Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ App is Under Fire in India, Offline in Egypt (MediaShift)
Netizens in India rang in 2016 amid burning controversy over net neutrality regulations that could lead to a permanent ban on Facebook’s Free Basics app, which offers free access to a limited number of websites (including Facebook and Facebook-owned products like WhatsApp) for users who do not pay for mobile data plans.
A Quarter of People Won’t Make a Single Call on Their Cell Phones This Week (Recode)
A quarter of those in developed countries won’t make a single phone call in any given week this year. These so-called “data exclusives” have just found ways to do nearly all their communication without having to suffer talking to a fellow human, according to Deloitte, which forecast the level of radio silence as part of its annual predictions.
Democrats Agree to Outlawing FCC Internet Rate Regulation (Inside Sources)
Republicans and Democrats in the House began 2016 in rare bipartisan agreement over a typically partisan issue — net neutrality, which the two sides agreed Tuesday should not include giving the FCC the ability to regulate the rates Internet service providers charge consumers for service.
Security Issue Found In Smart Doorbell (The Register)
Security researchers have discovered a glaring security hole that exposes the home network password of users of a Wi-Fi-enabled video doorbell. The issue – now resolved – underlines how default configurations of IoT components can introduce easy to exploit security holes.
NAB ‘Expects’ Robust TV Auction Participation (Broadcasting & Cable)
Marking the deadline for TV stations to signal their potential participation in the broadcast incentive auction, the National Association of Broadcasters signaled it thought a lot of stations would take the FCC up on the offer, and committed to helping the auction go off smoothly.