Explain to Shane

For several years, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been working to modernize the use of key sections of spectrum airwaves — known as C-band — for commercial deployment. Through a series of auctions, the FCC sold the license rights to C-band airwaves to commercial 5G mobile telecommunications providers, unleashing a massive wave of private investment to enable 5G deployment. But the...

Congress passed Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act in 1996 when the internet was just coming onto the horizon for commercial use, and there was a need to protect nascent platforms from liability for user-generated content. Often coined “the 26 words that created the internet,” Section 230 is widely credited for fostering the innovative ecosystem that created today’s successful social me...

With five bills introduced to the House Judiciary Committee in June of this year, Congress is moving swiftly to rein in what it sees as the market power and abusive business practices of “Big Tech” firms — namely Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Alphabet Inc.’s Google. What is behind Congress’ push for new antitrust laws targeted at these companies, and how would these laws impact consumers? On this e...

Under Chairwoman Lina Khan’s leadership, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is undergoing a number of process reforms that are poised to make the commission less democratic by allocating more power to the chair herself. If successful, what impact will these reforms have on the future of the commission — and on the laws it’s tasked with enforcing? In the second episode of a two-part discussion, Sha...

Under Chairwoman Lina Khan’s leadership, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is undergoing a number of process reforms that are poised to make the commission less democratic by allocating more power to the chair herself. If successful, what impact will these reforms have on the future of the commission — and on the laws it’s tasked with enforcing? In the first episode of a two-part discussion, Shan...

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act shields online intermediaries such as social media platforms from civil liability for content users post — and reply comments — but also allows them to moderate illegal, lewd, or otherwise  harmful content as they see fit. These dual protections afforded to internet-based companies by Section 230 have been credited for the innovation and growth of...

As countries impose new requirements on data collection and governance, the flow of consumer data between countries and business entities is more restricted than ever. For companies that need to comply with these new regulations, it can be challenging to build compliance tools around a patchwork of national laws without upending their fundamental business models. What does the regulatory landscape...

Today, technology companies are facing some of their largest security, supply chain, and regulatory threats ever. Members of Congress, the administration, and Federal Trade Commission are trying to require that firms allow anyone, anywhere to repair their consumer devices — at a high cost to product quality and individual security. Meanwhile, cyberattacks and data breaches are on the rise, and whi...

The potential for a fragmented, decentralized global internet (or “splinternet”) is a concern on many levels. Two aspects of internet governance are at play here: the technical aspects of connectivity (or lack thereof), and content delivery — in essence, what material is permitted, censored, or filtered. As China, Russia, and authoritarian-leaning regimes advance top-down visions of the internet t...

Efforts to legislate data protection (or “privacy”) have become a top priority in the US and Europe. But the real issue at hand is data governance — namely the collection, storage, and deletion of data that companies collect about customers. These companies, especially those whose mobile digital applications collect location data, contacts, and other personal information, now face a patchwork of p...

Intellectual property (IP) has been a hot topic due to the Biden administration’s support of a proposal to waive the World Trade Organization’s Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Some argue IP protections incentivized vaccine manufacturers to produce what are now the world’s antidotes to the pandemic. But others say these protections...

Due to their ability to calculate multiple complex variables at the same time, quantum computers are poised to permanently change how technology exists in society. But with the advent of quantum computing comes several risks to the US across a range of fields, including national security. How can the US sufficiently advance its quantum computing capabilities and manage the risks that come with the...

Trust is a binding agent for society, but the internet was not designed with trust or user safety in mind. And today, trust in the online ecosystem seems to be at a low. How can we reverse this trend?  Many tech companies have trust and safety professionals working behind the scenes on complex issues like content moderation, disinformation, and user privacy. To help unify these efforts and es...

Following a wave of recent attacks, cyber and supply chain security are high on the United States’ policy agenda. Software “nutrition labels” are one solution cyber experts are considering; what do these “labels” look like, and how can government and industry work together to ensure their effectiveness?  On this episode,  Shane  is joined by  Allan Friedman , director of cybers...

As the pandemic has shifted work, education, and entertainment online, there is a growing appetite in Washington to enhance broadband access across the country. However, some members of Congress and the current administration have advocated for ramping up broadband speeds to a symmetrical 100 megabits per second both upstream and downstream (known as 100/100). Where is the push for this new standa...

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are gaining traction in states where regulations encourage advanced technology to ride alongside traditional transportation. But in areas where AVs are in everyday traffic, issues like driver safety and data collection are being watched by policymakers. For both innovators and lawmakers, there remain many lessons to be learned about the opportunities and challenges posed...

In December 2020, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the feasibility of allowing commercial operations — both satellite and terrestrial — in the 12.2–12.7 GHz spectrum band. Doing so could expand broadband access and expedite mobile 5G network buildouts; however, incumbents worry that additional commercial activity in the band could pote...

Facing a new law requiring social media firms to pay Australian news providers for their content, Facebook and Google had notably different responses. After expressing brief opposition to the new policy, Google was willing to comply; on the other hand, Facebook blocked all news content on its Australian platform for two days — though later reached a compromise with the government. Why did the two...

While stuck indoors during the pandemic, items we want — and sometimes need — are harder to locate. Web retailers offer a quick fix, but what if we need online tutoring, IT help, or athletic coaching? And what if we could offer our own goods and services in return? In an attempt to overcome the communication barriers of traditional barter exchanges, Josh Kline founded HaveNeed — an app that lets u...

Data protection regulations must strike a difficult balance between individual privacy and cybersecurity. But what happens when a cyberattacker’s identity is masked in the name of privacy? How would existing laws in the European Union, United Kingdom, and India address this dilemma? What can proponents of federal privacy legislation in the US learn from these countries? On this episode, Shane spea...

Enabling data to flow between enterprise divisions and industry partners enhances our economy, but it’s important that user privacy is protected when the information being shared is about individuals. Data usage will thus continue to be a major topic in tech policy, especially with regard to newer products that use artificial intelligence (AI) to collect and transfer user data. If the US were to p...

Undeterred cyberattacks on American critical infrastructure have increased urgency for improved cyber practices. Heading into the next administration, what can the US do to better prevent cyberattacks and impose consequences on their perpetrators? How do we ensure effective information-sharing between government and industry to thwart future attacks and curtail their potential damage? On this epis...

As US industries turn to next-generation technology for real-time data flows and automation, demand for 5G equipment has fueled a wave of new job opportunities. What best practices can government and industry undertake to help this trend to endure? What spectrum management and regulatory policies will maximize 5G’s potential to create jobs? On this episode, Shane speaks with Michael Mandel , Chief...

Under Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai’s leadership, the US is experiencing faster internet speeds, a healthy investment in the buildout of 5G networks, more efficient use of spectrum, and notable progress on programs to close the digital divide. Chairman Pai’s FCC has also implemented common-sense reforms such as lowering interstate prison phone rate caps and creating a n...

In the digital age, how can technology make government more effective? The nonprofit  Code for America  is training young coders and connecting them with governments in order to digitize “safety net” programs like Medicaid, welfare, and food purchasing assistance. The organization seeks to make these programs more effective and efficient at the local, state, and federal levels by bringin...