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Bloomberg Law: Apple Hit Over Privacy as US Tries to Undercut Antitrust Defense
Big Tech

In a recent article by Bloomberg Law, the importance of privacy protection in product quality has been highlighted by John Davisson, the director of litigation at the nonprofit Electronic Privacy Information Center. Davisson emphasized that privacy is a fundamental aspect of product quality that has often been overlooked due to the limited privacy-protective options available to users.According to Davisson, "Privacy protection is a 'core dimension' of product quality." He pointed out that meaningful privacy protection stems from well-enforced regulations and a competitive...


Latest Privacy Bill Is Not the Right Compromise for America, Says ITIF
Big Tech

WASHINGTON—Following the release of the American Privacy Rights Act (APRA), the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, issued a statement criticizing the bill. Senior Policy Manager Ashley Johnson expressed concerns about the current state of the APRA, stating, "in its current state, it is not the compromise America needs."Johnson further highlighted that while the bill attempts to strike a compromise on key issues, it falls short in some aspects. She pointed out that the bill includes a private...


IAPP: Maryland adds new dimensions to US comprehensive state privacy law patchwork
Big Tech

Privacy advocacy groups have long sought the inclusion of data minimization in state privacy statutes. However, states considering and passing legislation in recent years showed reluctance or little appetite to go through with minimization.Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed the significance of recent developments in state privacy laws, stating, "It’s a real game-changer for consumers because it takes the onus off them to protect their privacy and instead requires companies to look at their data collection...


CCIA to Co-Host Conference, Book Release on the 2023 Merger Guidelines
Big Tech

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association, together with Concurrences, will co-host a half-day program Tuesday, April 9, to mark the release of their latest joint publication, “The 2023 U.S. Merger Guidelines: A Review.”The conference speakers will include two former Federal Trade Commissioners, merger practitioners, and authors of the publication as they discuss key aspects of the revised Guidelines and their expectations for U.S. merger policy and enforcement. In particular, antitrust experts and practitioners will examine the Guidelines’ practical...


U.S. Commerce Department Announces CHIPS Funding
Big Tech

Washington – The U.S. Commerce Department announced today $6.6 billion in funding under the CHIPS and Science Act toward three Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) chipmaking fabrication plants in Arizona.In response to this announcement, CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers expressed his support by stating, "We applaud the Biden Administration for investing in high tech competitiveness and paving the way for more U.S.-based manufacturing capacity that will fuel innovation for products across the economy. This investment in TSMC chip-making in Arizona is a...


Congress Should Mandate Mileage-Based User Fees for Heavy Trucks, New Report Concludes
Big Tech

A new report from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) suggests that Congress should mandate a mileage-based user fee system for heavy trucks as a sensible way to transition from gas taxes to road maintenance funding. Authored by ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson, the report calls on Congress to implement this system in the upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization.Atkinson emphasizes the importance of adapting to the shift from internal combustion to electric vehicles, stating, “The technology for a system of mileage-based user fees is...


Tech Policy Press: Industry Representatives and Regulators Discuss Privacy and Child Online Safety Legislation
Big Tech

Industry representatives and regulators gathered at the IAPP Global Privacy Summit to delve into the complexities of privacy and child online safety legislation. Keir Lamont, Director for US Legislation at the Future of Privacy Forum, emphasized the intricate nature of comprehensive privacy legislation, stating, "Comprehensive privacy legislation is much more complicated than merely who is notified and in what order after consumers suffer a data breach."Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, highlighted the challenges of...


Solar Energy Industries Association welcomes Shoals Technologies Group to its board of directors
Big Tech

Shoals Technologies Group, a provider of Electrical Balance of Systems (EBOS) solutions, has been inducted into the board of directors of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The company's CEO, Brandon Moss, will represent Shoals on the board.


CCIA Statement on the Outcome of EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council
Big Tech

Brussels, BELGIUM – EU and U.S. officials recently convened in Brussels and Leuven as part of the EU-U.S. Trade and Technology Council to discuss joint actions on AI, 6G standards, semiconductors, and quantum technologies.According to Alexandre Roure, Head of Policy and Deputy Head of Office at CCIA Europe, the discussions marked a positive development in transatlantic relations. Roure stated, "We are encouraged to see that the European Union and the United States are making positive strides in boosting trade, economic security, and digital collaboration." He also...


HuffPost: Civil Liberty Advocates Threaten To Sink FISA Bill If No Votes On Searches, Data Collection
Big Tech

Civil liberties groups are making strong demands as they push for changes to an anti-terror surveillance law. A coalition of 32 groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, FreedomWorks, and the Electronic Privacy Information Center, has issued a warning to House leaders regarding the upcoming debate on the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and its Section 702.The coalition, as reported by HuffPost, has emphasized the importance of allowing votes on warrantless database searches and the government's utilization of private data brokers...


CCIA President Criticizes FTC's Monopoly Claims Against Meta
Big Tech

Washington – Meta has filed a motion for summary judgment filed today in the FTC’s lawsuit against the social media company. The FTC’s lawsuit, filed back in 2021, is accusing Meta of abusing an alleged monopoly power with the acquisitions of Instagram and Whatsapp in 2012 and 2014 respectively. The FTC previously approved these acquisitions.The Computer & Communications Industry Association, which has advocated for competition in the tech industry for more than 50 years, has weighed in on the issue. CCIA President & CEO Matt Schruers expressed his concerns regarding the...


ITI: EU and U.S. Must Build on TTC’s Foundation and Expand Transatlantic Leadership
Big Tech

BRUSSELS – Today, global tech trade association ITI welcomed outcomes advancing transatlantic tech policy collaboration announced at the sixth U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) ministerial in Leuven, Belgium. The ITI President and CEO, Jason Oxman, expressed optimism, stating, “We’re encouraged that leaders on both sides of the Atlantic have heeded industry’s call to strengthen the process and functionality of the TTC to deliver impactful results in the years to come.”Oxman also emphasized the importance of continued efforts, noting, “The commitments announced...


CCIA Opposes Vermont Social Media Bill
Big Tech

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced its opposition to a proposed bill in Vermont that could impact online privacy and data security.The bill in question, S.289, aims to implement age verification methods online, which CCIA argues could compromise residents' data and personal information. CCIA provided written comments and testimony to Vermont lawmakers expressing their concerns about the bill.According to CCIA, the additional personal information required by the bill could undermine efforts to pass and implement a...


FCC’s Title II Order Would Reduce Broadband Availability and Quality
Big Tech

WASHINGTON—The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) has expressed concerns over the FCC's draft Order that would regulate broadband under Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. Joe Kane, ITIF’s director of broadband and spectrum policy, criticized the potential impact of the Order on broadband availability and quality.Kane stated, "The FCC’s draft Order would saddle the competitive broadband marketplace with regulations that will reduce the long-term availability and quality of broadband." He also highlighted that the Internet had thrived both...


Cloud Software Group and Microsoft Ink Eight-Year Partnership to Enhance Cloud Solutions and AI Innovations
Big Tech

Cloud Software Group Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have announced an eight-year strategic partnership aimed at enhancing cloud solutions and generative AI capabilities for over 100 million users globally. The collaboration will focus on strengthening the go-to-market collaboration for the Citrix virtual application and desktop platform, as well as developing new cloud and AI solutions with an integrated product roadmap.Sridhar Mullapudi, General Manager at Citrix, highlighted the importance of empowering employees with secure and innovative solutions for enhanced productivity...


'The Elder Scrolls Online' Joins GeForce NOW for Game’s 10th Anniversary
Big Tech

On April 4, 2024, GeForce NOW announced the addition of nearly 20 new games, with a special focus on The Elder Scrolls Online as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary. The renowned online role-playing game is now available on the cloud for players to enjoy.GeForce NOW marked the occasion by introducing the game to its members, stating, "The Elder Scrolls Online as it joins the cloud this week for members." This move allows fans from around the world to participate in the anniversary celebrations, which are kicking off in Amsterdam. Players can now immerse themselves in...


Tech Talk: Talking Tech with Rachel Cummings & Daniel Susser on Differential Privacy
Big Tech

CDT’s Tech Talk podcast recently featured a discussion on the topic of differential privacy. Rachel Cummings, Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research at Columbia University, and Daniel Susser, Associate Professor for the Department of Information Science at Cornell University, delved into the nuances of this privacy-enhancing technique.Differential privacy has gained traction as a method to bolster privacy protections in data processing systems. However, as Rachel Cummings pointed out, there are underlying assumptions that need to be...


Brief – Unintended Consequences: Consumer Privacy Legislation and Schools
Big Tech

In the realm of consumer privacy legislation and its implications on schools, a recent article has shed light on the potential unintended consequences that such laws could have on the education sector.The need for comprehensive privacy legislation to protect personal information, especially that of children, has been emphasized. The importance of data in supporting various functions within schools, such as class assignments and funding, has also been highlighted.Existing laws governing student data, such as FERPA and COPPA, provide specific protections that must be...


Seeing is Believing: How ‘The Believers’ Delivered a Gripping Exploration of Faith and Finance
Big Tech

Exploring faith, finance, and societal issues, The Believers have captured the hearts of viewers in Thailand, claiming the top spot on TV within a week of its release. The series delves into the complex interplay between faith and finance within the context of Buddhism, captivating audiences with its thought-provoking narrative and finely crafted characters.James-Teeradon Supapunpinyo, who portrays Win in the series, shared his motivation for taking on the role, stating, "I decided to take on the role after reading the synopsis.” Peach-Pachara Chirathivat, embodying the...


NVIDIA Ranked by Fortune at No. 3 on ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ List
Big Tech

NVIDIA has achieved a significant milestone as it soared to the third position on Fortune magazine and Great Place to Work's '100 Best Companies to Work For' list. This marks the company's highest ranking in the list during its eighth consecutive year of inclusion, surpassing its sixth-place ranking from the previous year.Fortune highlighted the shifting priorities of employees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that "employees are increasingly prioritizing work-life balance, mission alignment and empathetic workplaces." This acknowledgment comes as NVIDIA...