TECHNOLOGY
Latest Technology Posts
The Impact of Social Media on Politics and Society
Brief #52 – Technology Policy
By Inijah Quadri
Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate, access information, and engage with politics and society. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok have become an integral part of our daily lives, connecting us with friends and family, news, and entertainment.
January 10th Revealed the Need to Update Our Aviation Safety Technology
Brief #51 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all pilots receive NOTAMs (Notice To Airmen, or Notice to Air Missions in the United States) prior to takeoff. The purpose of these notifications is to provide pilots with information regarding obstacles they may encounter along the way.
Who Will Be the Gatekeepers in 2023?
Brief #78 – Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
If anything is clear from Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, it is that he is ill equipped to be the arbiter of who or what should be banned from the platform. He appears to be the last person on earth anyone would choose for the job. Former CEO Jack Dorsey had no particular qualifications to do so, but his decisions didn’t garner the publicity or public dismay Musk’s have.
Should Machine-Made Art Be Subject to Copywrite Protection?
Brief #77 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
Last February, the U.S. Copyright Office upheld a rule that artwork created by machines or animals cannot be protected under copyright law. Referring to the Copyright Act of 1976, the U.S. Copyright Review Board reasserted that only works by humans can be protected.
Twitter Layoffs Spark the Latest Accusations of Sexism in Tech
Brief #76 – Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter has sparked outrage, layoffs and lawsuits. But the news of a sex discrimination suit by laid off employees is no surprise; it is not the first for Musk or Twitter, and the tech industry is notorious for its unequal treatment of women.
Are Tech Billionaires the Worst Polluters on Earth?
Brief #75 – Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
Tech Billionaires Leave an Outsize Carbon Footprint, Despite Their Carbon Neutral Claims. Advocates claim allowing polluters to purchase carbon offsets is a “scam” and hurting, rather than helping the planet.
FCC Stumbles As It Tries to Increase Access to Broadband
Brief #74 – Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
Will $65 billion in Infrastructure funds finally bridge the digital divide and connect the 19 million Americans who still lack access to high-speed internet? The FCC’s First Step Appears to be a Misstep.
Examining the Integrity of Voting Systems
Brief #73 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
In 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). HAVA’s passage enhanced existing policy established under the 1971 Federal Election Campaign Act, which created the National Clearinghouse for Information on the Administration of Elections.
Amazon is a Hazardous Place to Work, But Don’t Dare Tell the Company to Change
Brief #72– Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
Workers, regulators even its own investors want Amazon to improve its abysmal worker safety record. But the company has fought tooth and nail to quash those efforts.
Examining the Integrity of Voting Systems
Brief #73 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
In 2002, President George W. Bush signed into law the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). HAVA’s passage enhanced existing policy established under the 1971 Federal Election Campaign Act, which created the National Clearinghouse for Information on the Administration of Elections.
Amazon is a Hazardous Place to Work, But Don’t Dare Tell the Company to Change
Brief #72– Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
Workers, regulators even its own investors want Amazon to improve its abysmal worker safety record. But the company has fought tooth and nail to quash those efforts.
A New Book Points the Finger at Social Media
Brief #71 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
One has to wonder how many people would sign on to become addicted to a new technology promising rabbit holes of misinformation and manipulation, alienation from family and friends, and the inability for the government to protect them from it.
Oh, What a Splintered Web We Weave
Brief #70 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
The Biden Administration recently announced that it was going to ease restrictions on internet usage in Iran following ongoing protests over the killing of Mashi Amini while she was in police custody for violating the country’s stringent dress code. The restrictions had been part of larger sanctions levied against Iran for its nuclear program and for state-supported acts of terrorism around the world.
California Joins the Antitrust Chorus Against Amazon
Brief #69 – Technology
By Mindy Spatt
State AGs are coming for Amazon, while major antitrust actions by the FTC and Congress loom. Efforts to rein in Amazon’s market power are ramping up in the nation’s capital and at the state level.
Location Tracking Under Scrutiny
Brief #68 – Technology
By Mindy Spatt
All day, every day, our phones are tracking our locations, collecting minute by minute data on our whereabouts that phone companies, apps can use or sell.
Customers may agree to location tracking in order to use a GPS or a fitness monitor, but be less aware of how many others are getting in on the act; Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft are just a few examples of the many apps and services that are continuously keeping track of where we go and what we do. I can’t remember whether I ever gave any of them permission, can you?
California Shows What it Means to Protect Children on Social Media
Brief #67 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
In late August, 2022 the California State Legislature passed AB-2273, The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act. Built upon existing California laws. AB-2273 is aimed at protecting anyone under 18 from possible harmful effects of social media.
Uber and Lyft Flex Their Lobbying Muscle
Brief #66 – Technology Policy
By Mindy Spatt
Who’s Afraid of a President, or a Presidential Front Runner? Uber and Lyft are lobbying to kill legislation supported by President Biden, and Lyft is pushing a California ballot initiative that likely presidential candidate Governor Gavin Newsom is staunchly opposed to.
Executive Order 14067: Considerations for Leveling the Digital Assets Playing Field
Brief #65 – Technology Policy
By Steve Piazza
On March 9 of this year, President Biden issued Executive Order 14067 “Ensuring Responsible Development of Digital Assets.” Its impetus is a directive for governmental departments and agencies to examine the government’s role regarding the centralization of digital assets, specifically those pertaining to financial transactions.
Misinformation Money
Brief #64 – Technology Policy
By Maureen Darby-Serson
Last month, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was ordered to pay the families of the Sandy Hook massacre over $49 million in damages for spreading false claims that the mass shooting was a hoax. He was forced to pay to a group of parents that sued him and to an individual parent that sued him separately. And this is just one recent instance of a conspiracy theorist being forced to face the music after making hurtful claims about individuals or events.