A pair of government watchdog reports into federal use of facial recognition has reinvigorated bipartisan calls for AI regulation generally. Algorithmic amplification of online content could present an opportunity for consensus for both parties, albeit from different angles.
Thanks to hefty spending at the FCC’s C-band auction, AT&T believes it has enough spectrum to bring 5G coverage to 70–75 million people by 2022. But AT&T needs to continue forging partnerships to deploy that spectrum in ways that consumers will actually notice the benefit.
Consumers who opt in to Ring’s encryption will be the only ones able to view their video feeds. The move is an improvement on Ring’s checkered privacy and security past but falls short of critics’ demands.
The company acquired a Facebook team of engineers and physicists to boost its satellite internet venture off the ground. The stealthy acquisition is a much-needed injection of resources and talent as Amazon rushes to enter a market quickly being swallowed up by SpaceX.
The telecom announced it will remove data throttling from its Unlimited Elite plan. AT&T’s move highlights the pressure telecoms are under to stay competitive in the rabid race for 5G supremacy.
Tech companies are ditching legacy industry lobbying firms like the Internet Association in favor of their own individual approach. The shift allows Big Tech firms to target particular legislation that most specifically affects their products or business practices.
The FCC approved Amazon’s request to use radar to track and monitor consumers’ sleeping patterns. Though Amazon has not announced how it will incorporate the tech, Echo users already appear comfortable having smart speakers record them in their bedrooms.
Global PC sales grew 13.2% YoY in Q2 2021, following several quarters of red-hot sales. However, the months of steady growth may be coming to an end as more workers and students return to offices and schools.
282 government agencies and private businesses formed a coalition to better respond to cyber attacks. NYC’s cyber coalition could serve as a template for other cities looking to bolster their defense against growing ransomware threats.
The group’s report claims the current 25 Mbps download speed minimum is insufficient to meet rising bandwidth needs. At the same time, much of the country’s population still lacks access to speeds even under the current minimum.
Hackers are using masks, deepfakes, and other facial recognition evasion techniques to illegally claim unemployment benefits. This apparent rise in facial recognition evasion technique could inevitably accelerate an arms race between facial recognition developers and its opponents.
The FTC is preparing new regulations limiting manufacturers’ ability to prohibit consumers from repairing devices. The move marks a stark departure from the current standard and comes as internet connectivity is being added to a growing number of products.