Big Tech news and reports on Federal Newswire

OneTrust, a provider of trust intelligence solutions, has become a member of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Institute (RAI Institute), an international non-profit organization committed to promoting responsible AI adoption in organizations. The partnership is expected to facilitate OneTrust's contribution to the development of AI governance tools.

Technology Industries Call for EU-US Agreement on Conformity Assessment

BRUSSELS - In a joint statement released today, global tech trade association ITI and Orgalim emphasized the need for an EU-US agreement on conformity assessment to streamline transatlantic trade. The statement highlights the current challenges faced by technology companies needing certifications to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards when trading across the Atlantic.According to ITI and Orgalim, an agreement on conformity assessment would not only benefit transatlantic trade but also bring advantages to EU and US exporters. These benefits include...

A New Lens: Dotlumen CEO Cornel Amariei on Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired

Dotlumen CEO Cornel Amariei recently discussed the innovative assistive technology for the visually impaired developed by his company during an episode of NVIDIA’s AI Podcast. The flagship product, Dotlumen Glasses, is equipped with sensors and AI technology to help visually impaired individuals navigate the world by computing a safe path and providing tactile feedback through vibrations.During the podcast, Amariei explained, "We compute a safely walkable path for visually impaired individuals and offer haptic feedback on how to proceed via corresponding vibrations." He...

Decoding the AI Technology Enhancing Games and Digital Humans

Digital characters in video games are undergoing a transformation, thanks to advancements in AI technology. NVIDIA's Avatar Cloud Engine (ACE) is at the forefront of this evolution, allowing game developers to create lifelike non-playable characters (NPCs) that interact dynamically with players in real time.According to NVIDIA, ACE microservices enable developers to integrate state-of-the-art generative AI models into digital avatars, enhancing their responsiveness and interactivity. This technology is already being embraced by leading game developers, studios, and...

CCIA Statement Ahead of EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council in Brussels

Brussels, BELGIUM – EU and U.S. officials are gathering in Brussels and Leuven today ahead of a key meeting of the EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council to discuss transatlantic cooperation, specifically on digital governance and resilient trade.The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced its support for greater U.S.-EU dialogue and cooperation on trade and technology policy, welcoming the TTC as a crucial platform to engage on pressing digital trade issues.CCIA's Senior Vice President and Head of CCIA Europe, Daniel Friedlaender, emphasized the...

Spotlight PA: Why Pa.’s efforts to regulate social media companies have failed so far

"In a recent interview, Megan Iorio, senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, highlighted the challenges of regulating speech within the confines of the First Amendment. Iorio expressed her views on the difficulty of ensuring privacy while verifying a user's age, stating that "there is no privacy-protective way" to accomplish this task.Moreover, Iorio pointed out the inadequacy of placing the responsibility on parents to address the negative impacts of complex social media algorithms, remarking that it is "not how things should work." She stressed the...

CCIA Welcomes FCC's Plan to Vote on Restoring Net Neutrality Protections

Washington – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced that an order restoring baseline Open Internet protections will be presented for a vote of the Commissioners during the April 25 Open Meeting. These protections aim to safeguard broadband internet traffic from blocking, throttling, paid prioritization, and unreasonable conduct.CCIA, a tech industry association, has been actively involved in advocating for Open Internet rules. In a statement, CCIA Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President Stephanie Joyce expressed the organization's support for the...

The Record: Automakers and FCC square off over potential regulations for connected cars

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is currently at odds with automakers over the potential regulations for connected cars. Despite multiple requests for comment, the FCC has remained silent on the matter.According to Chris Frascella, counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel has not been transparent in making the industry's response letters easily accessible to the public. This lack of transparency contrasts with 2022 when Rosenworcel prominently published manufacturers' letters in response to inquiries about geolocation...

National Restaurant Association report indicates restaurant operators to invest in more tech in 2024

The National Restaurant Association has recently published its Restaurant Technology Landscape Report 2024, which forecasts an increase in technology usage in the coming year to improve services and customer experience.

CCIA expresses concern over 2024 NTE Report downplaying digital product barriers

The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has voiced its apprehension over the recently published 2024 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE Report). The association alleges that while obstacles impeding the export of digital products have escalated, the report downplays many of them.

Nasdaq: Will There Be a TikTok Ban? When, Why and What You Should Know.

According to Calli Schroeder, a senior counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, attempts to ban TikTok are seen as mere “security theater.” Legislators are pushing for such measures to appear proactive, despite the understanding that they do not address the core issues at hand. Schroeder highlights that banning TikTok would not significantly impact China's access to American data.As the debate surrounding the potential ban of TikTok continues, Schroeder's perspective sheds light on the underlying motivations behind such actions. Stay informed as the situation...

Meta Oversight Board Calls for Nuance in Content Moderation

The Meta Oversight Board recently released a Policy Advisory Opinion addressing the moderation of the word "shaheed" on Meta's platforms, emphasizing the need for cultural and linguistic sensitivity in content moderation policies. The term "shaheed" carries various meanings and is widely used across different languages, including Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Farsi, and Turkish.The Opinion highlighted that the term "shaheed" is the most heavily moderated word on Meta's platforms, particularly in connection to Meta's Dangerous Organization and Individuals (DOI) list. The Board...

Top 10 Week of Mar. 25: ‘3 Body Problem’ Is #1

3 Body Problem, the sci-fi series from David Benioff, D. B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo, claimed the top spot on the English TV List with 15.6M views and was the most-watched title of the week. It was also the most talked about thanks to a worldwide You Are Bugs takeover, and that buzzed about scene in Episode 5. Making their list debuts were the docudrama Testament: The Story of Moses in second (13.5M views), Season 2 of reality series Buying Beverly Hills in eighth place (1.9M views), and stand-up special Dave Attell: Hot Cross Buns in tenth (1.5M views). The Gentlemen, Guy...

CCIA Asks Georgia Governor to Veto Social Media Bill

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has requested Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to veto the state's social media bill, which aims to enforce age verification for online users. In a letter sent on Tuesday, CCIA expressed concerns about the bill's effectiveness and its potential violation of Constitutional rights.CCIA, a longstanding advocate for information access and telecommunications law, highlighted the implications of the proposed legislation. CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender emphasized the organization's stance, stating,...

ABC News: Judge sides with conservative group in its push to access, publish voter rolls online

In a recent development, a judge has sided with a conservative group in its efforts to access and publish voter rolls online. The ruling has sparked concerns among privacy advocates and experts in the field.John Davisson, the director of litigation at the Washington-based Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed his concerns about the implications of the federal rulings in New Mexico and Maine. He highlighted that the rulings preserve state voter confidentiality programs for assault and stalking victims, which conceal home addresses. However, Davisson noted that...

CCIA Raises Concerns Over Minnesota’s SF 4696 Impact on Freedom of Speech

Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has raised objections to Minnesota’s SF 4696, expressing concerns over its potential impact on freedom of speech. The organization provided written comments opposing the bill during a hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.In its statement, CCIA highlighted that SF 4696 aims to regulate digital services' editorial discretion through the use of algorithms and by imposing engagement limits. The association stated that the bill could infringe on fundamental First Amendment...

The Record: FCC to probe ‘grave’ weaknesses in phone network infrastructure

By Federal Newswire | Apr 1, 2024

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is facing scrutiny over the security of phone network infrastructure amid concerns raised by experts in the field. Chris Frascella, a counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, expressed both optimism and apprehension regarding the FCC's actions in a recent communication.Frascella commended the FCC for its focus on location data, stating, "It’s encouraging to see the FCC’s continued attention to location data." He also expressed optimism about the commission's commitment, saying, "I am optimistic that the commission...

Economic Policy Institute report asserts imbalance of power in employment is not a result of AI

By Federal Newswire | Mar 29, 2024

A recent report from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) suggests that the primary threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) may not be to employment and wages directly. Instead, it indicates that the real danger could stem from an extreme imbalance of power between employers and typical workers, a situation which has already contributed to increased inequality and sluggish wage growth.

CDT Joins EPIC in Opposing New York Senate’s Budget Bill

By Federal Newswire | Mar 29, 2024

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) and the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) have jointly expressed their opposition to the New York Senate’s budget bill, particularly concerning the inclusion of the New York Privacy Act. In a letter, the CDT and EPIC highlighted that the act does not go far enough in safeguarding the privacy of New Yorkers."We hope they remove it from the budget bill and continue improving it," stated the CDT and EPIC in their letter.The organizations are advocating for stronger measures to be put in place to ensure the protection...