1. Monthly archive
  2. May 2017

May 2017

Governor Cooper's (D-NC) Strong Proposal for Broadband Expansion

Gov Roy Cooper’s (R-NC) Common Ground Solutions budget included $20 million to improve internet access and service to households and businesses in underserved areas of North Carolina. Of that $20 million, $14.5 million would create a grant program to help local governments partnering with private providers and utility cooperatives complete ‘last mile’ broadband projects.

Newly released information from the Broadband Infrastructure Office identified at least 16 last-mile and middle-mile broadband projects across the state that could compete for this funding. If approved, these projects could provide needed internet access to thousands of North Carolinians and spur economic development. “Broadband access is a must for economic success in our rural communities,” said Gov Cooper. “We have already seen how access to high-speed internet has allowed business in rural areas to thrive. We cannot deprive rural North Carolinians of this vital tool for competition in a global marketplace.”

What a billboard means for your Internet privacy

An internet privacy group has taken out a billboard in Phoenix criticizing Sen Jeff Flake (R-AZ) for pushing a bill earlier in 2017 critics say pulls back some federal online privacy rules. The group is called Fight for the Future and has taken out billboards aimed at lawmakers who voted to pull back on some internet privacy rules passed during the Obama administration. It contends actions could allow internet and wireless providers such as AT&T, Comcast, Cox Communications, CenturyLink, and Verizon collect, market and sell consumers' internet data, critics contend. They also worry about providers directing users' internet searches. Sen Flake contends the repeal bill was aimed at pulling back on a regulatory overreach by the Federal Communications Commission and does not weaken privacy laws. Flake worries about the FCC being too aggressive with internet regulations. The anti-Flake billboard is at Baseline Road and Interstate 10 in Phoenix.

Supreme Court asked to rule if cops need warrant for cell-site data

On May 11, the Supreme Court will meet privately to discuss the controversial privacy question of whether the authorities need a court warrant to force mobile phone companies to divulge their customers' cell site data. This data shows where you were (according to a cell tower) and when you made a call. This information can paint a canvas of one's whereabouts, yet it's not constitutionally protected material because it's viewed as an ordinary business record held by the telcos.

Courts have largely interpreted this to mean that the authorities can get the data without probable-cause court warrants. There are five cases on the high court's conference list in which cell-site data, obtained without a probable-cause warrant from a judge, was instrumental for the authorities to prosecute for armed robbery, drug running, and illegal possession of weapons. The defendants are asking the court to revisit the so-called third-party doctrine—a legal theory that allows authorities to obtain private information on people if that information is considered a normal business record voluntarily given to and held by a third party. In this case, the data is deemed a business record of the mobile phone companies, which are required to disclose it as part of government investigations.

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