Associated Press
Gov. Brown signs tough net neutrality law, sets up battle with FCC, tech companies
Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA) signed the nation's toughest net neutrality measure on Sept 30, requiring internet providers to maintain a level playing field online. Advocates of net neutrality hope the move in the home of the global technology industry will have national implications, prompting Congress to enact national net neutrality rules or encouraging other states to follow suit.
Obama to companies: Engage governments to avoid the Facebook fate
Former President Barack Obama urged private businesses to come out of “isolation” and to engage more with governments when developing new products and services to avoid problems like those challenging Facebook. Obama told business leaders that “you cannot separate the business environment from the political and social environment.” “A good example is Facebook,” Obama said, referring to the public relations pummeling the social media company has received following US intelligence service reports that Facebook was a conduit for Russian election meddling in 2016.
Twitter permanently bans Alex Jones and his 'Infowars' show
Twitter is permanently banning right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his “Infowars” show for abusive behavior. Twitter said Sept 6 that Jones won't be allowed to create new accounts on Twitter or take over any existing ones. The company said Jones posted a video Sept 5 that violated the company's policy against “abusive behavior.” The video in question showed Jones shouting at and berating CNN journalist Oliver Darcy for some 10 minutes between two congressional hearings focused on social media.
President Trump volunteer blocks news photographer's shot of protester
A volunteer member of the advance team for President Donald Trump blocked a photojournalist's camera as he tried to take a photo of a protester during a campaign rally in Indiana. A photo taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vuccishows the volunteer stretching out his hand over the lens of a news photographer's camera after a protester disrupted Trump's campaign event. President Trump paced on stage at the Ford Center as the protester was led out.
Concerns abound in White House about staff shortages in legal, press offices (Associated Press)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Fri, 08/31/2018 - 10:19Swedish study notes surge in automated Twitter accounts (Associated Press)
Submitted by benton on Thu, 08/30/2018 - 06:26Texan says he’s selling 3D-printed gun plans after ruling (Associated Press)
Submitted by Robbie McBeath on Wed, 08/29/2018 - 13:03A Q&A with AT&T Entertainment Executive on the Future of Video
David Christopher, who runs AT&T’s wireless and entertainment businesses, has a bird’s eye view of how streaming media and video are evolving. AT&T recently completed its $85 billion purchase of Time Warner, a deal designed to help traditional media companies compete better with nimble tech services such as Netflix. Soon after the deal closed, AT&T launched WatchTV, a $15-a-month streaming service that offers more than 30 TV channels, including Time Warner channels TNT and TBS.