Items tagged "coronavirus"
Public Knowledge Applauds Congress for Championing Broadband Subsidies in Stimulus Package
December 21, 2020 Affordable Broadband , Broadband , broadband subsidy , coronavirus , Covid-19 , COVID19 , omnibus , Tribal BroadbandToday, a bipartisan, bicameral package for COVID-19 relief was introduced. Among other provisions, the relief bill helps Americans access broadband — or stay connected — during the pandemic.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Urges Quick Confirmation of Fifth FCC Commissioner to Protect Consumers
December 8, 2020 Broadband Access , coronavirus , Covid-19 , FCC , network resiliencyToday, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Nathan Simington to the Federal Communications Commission effectively deadlocking the agency until the Senate confirms a candidate for the fifth seat on the commission.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Joins 39 Groups Urging Congress to Include Broadband Subsidy in Stimulus Bills
December 8, 2020 Broadband Access , broadband subsidy , coronavirus , Covid-19 , Digital Divide , Rural Access , stimulusToday, Public Knowledge joins 39 other public interest, government, civil rights, labor, higher education, and rural advocacy groups in a letter urging Congress to offer a federal broadband subsidy in forthcoming COVID-19 stimulus packages.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Applauds Bill Protecting the Public’s Right to Repair During Health Crisis
August 6, 2020 coronavirus , Covid-19 , Medical Devices , Pandemic , Right to RepairToday, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) introduced “The Critical Medical Infrastructure Right-to-Repair Act of 2020” to allow trained experts to maintain and repair essential medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and temporarily suspend restrictions that are blocking needed repairs. Public Knowledge commends Sen. Wyden and Rep. Clarke for championing the needs of patients and medical professionals during this public health crisis.
Read MorePublic Interest, Tribal Advocacy Groups Urge FCC to Extend 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window Deadline to Connect Tribes
July 23, 2020 2.5 GHz , 5G , coronavirus , Covid-19 , Digital Divide , FCC , Rural Broadband Access , Tribal Broadband , tribal priority window , Wireless Deployment , Wireless InfrastructureToday, Public Knowledge joined nearly 50 public interest groups, tribal advocacy organizations, trade associations, and churches in a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to extend the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window. The “Tribal Priority Window” allows tribes to apply to receive free spectrum licenses on the 2.5 GHz band — crucial for expanding 5G to Tribal lands. The groups urge the agency to extend the deadline to February 3, 2021 due to the significant impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on American Indian Tribes, Native Hawaiian communities, and Alaska Native villages across the nation.
Read MoreNative American Tribal Groups Join Public Interest Groups Urging Congress to Extend Wireless Broadband Application Deadline for Tribes
July 8, 2020 2.5 GHz , Broadband Access , coronavirus , Covid-19 , FCC , Rural Broadband Access , WirelessToday, Public Knowledge joined 15 other public interest, rural, tribal, and consumer advocacy groups in a letter urging Congress to request the Federal Communications Commission extend the 2.5 GHz wireless broadband application deadline for American Indian tribes.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Shares Misinformation Reporting Insights With Congress to Tackle Disinformation on Digital Platforms
June 24, 2020 coronavirus , Covid-19 , Disinformation , infodemic , Internet Superfund , misinformation , Section 230Yesterday, Public Knowledge sent a letter to Congress providing insight into the flow of misinformation and disinformation over social media platforms to prepare for the joint hearing on “A Country in Crisis: How Disinformation Online is Dividing the Nation.” The hearing will discuss the impact of disinformation on the American public.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Commends Internet Archive for Championing Consumers During Pandemic, Urges Lawmakers to Support Digital Lending
June 10, 2020 controlled digital lending , coronavirus , internet archive , PandemicToday, the Internet Archive announced that it is ending its National Emergency Library lending program, citing the efforts of local libraries and other institutions to increase the circulation of digital books. Public Knowledge commends the Internet Archive for championing access to knowledge during this time of crisis, and urges policymakers to support legislation that makes more print books available electronically.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Welcomes Bill Creating Privacy Rules for COVID-19 Exposure Notification Apps
June 2, 2020 Consumer Privacy , contact tracing , coronavirus , Data Privacy , exposure notificationYesterday, Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the “Exposure Notification Privacy Act” to ensure that any exposure notification apps developed to assist with contact tracing will protect user privacy. Public Knowledge welcomes the bill for providing privacy protections for Americans’ data collected from these apps.
Read MorePublic Knowledge Welcomes Privacy Bill Protecting American Data During Pandemic
May 14, 2020 Consumer Privacy , contact tracing , coronavirus , Data Privacy , SurveillanceToday, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the “Public Health Emergency Privacy Act” to protect Americans’ privacy even as contact tracing, exposure notification, and other coronavirus surveillance technology becomes commonplace.
Read More