Center for Democracy & Technology | Keeping the Internet Open, Innovative and Free

How Not to Be a Jerk with Your Drone

June 21, 2016

In 2015, President Obama established a multi-stakeholder engagement process to ensure that privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties concerns are considered and addressed as drones are integrated into the airspace. The process culminated in a final consensus document supported by a diverse group. The gist of the consensus document is simple: don’t be a jerk with your drone. In fact, several of the document’s suggestions are easy, commonsense ways for drone operators to ensure that they use their devices in an ethical, safe way that is respectful of fellow members of society.

D.C. Circuit Decision in US Telecom v. FCC a Win for Preserving an Open Internet

June 16, 2016

In a resounding victory for net neutrality advocates and consumers alike, the D.C. Circuit issued its decision in US Telecom v. FCC, a landmark ruling ensuring that government regulators maintain the authority necessary for preserving an open internet. The court’s decision upholds the FCC’s 2015 Open Internet Order, a set of rules and standards that aim to preserve the basic principle that broadband providers should permit access to the internet without discriminating or blocking content based on its source.

IANA Transition Proposal Meets NTIA Criteria Necessary to Advance

June 14, 2016

Another major milestone has been reached in the IANA transition with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announcing in a report that the community proposal meets the necessary requirements to move forward. This report, along with the adoption on May 27th by the ICANN Board of the bylaw changes necessary to implement the Stewardship and Accountability proposals, should provide a significant level of comfort to those expressing concerns about the transition.