Comments on: Broadband data collection bill clears Congress

A new bill passed by the House would require the Federal Communications Commission to collection more detailed information about broadband access.

[michaelo1966]

This is getting out-of-control. Nancy -- It's time to knock down that gavel, adjourn, and send Congress home. Suppose since Bush can call you back if you formally adjourn just recess ... until Nov 5th. There's nothing he can do about that.

[benjaminstraight]

Wow under the radar, huh?

[mpitogo]

I hope its all anonymous data mining and not more intrusive on our privacy.

[rayjr13]

uh huh...cause that would be the right thing to do..........
Now if only we could make "the right thing to do" a national priority :skeptic:

[sythara]

wow. Read the act its actually rather interesting.

Sec 214(a)...establish an Online Safety and Technology working group comprised of representatives of relevant sectors of the business community, public interest groups, and other appropriate groups and Federal agencies to review and evaluate--

(4)the development of technologies to help parents shield their children from inappropriate material on the Internet.

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Sec 214(b) REPORT- Within 1 year after the working group is first convened, it shall submit a report to the Assistant Secretary and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that--
(1) describes in detail its findings, including any information related to the effectiveness of such strategies and technologies and any information about the prevalence within industry of educational campaigns, parental control technologies, blocking and filtering software, labeling, or other technologies to assist parents; and
(2) includes recommendations as to what types of incentives could be used or developed to increase the effectiveness and implementation of such strategies and technologies.

Are these people serious?

Does anyone else see where this is headed?

[sythara]

Forgot to post this. For those interested in reading the whole act:

S. 1492

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s110-1492

[Jeff Mowatt]

The main point, monitoring to ensure Americans have full access to information, is a long overdue call. 12 years in fact from the first study to associate the absence with poverty.

It's taken the experience gained from deployment in the developing world with economist CK Prahalad saying recently that poor people remain poor due to lack of information.

The paper delivered in September 1996 with the same message can be found here:

http://www.p-ced.com/about/history/

Jeff