Today, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed its prior panel decision affirming the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund, finding that the Federal Communications Commission’s actions in advancing our nation’s universal service goals are unconstitutional. The Universal Service Fund helps ensure that all Americans, regardless of their geographic location or economic status, have access to essential telecommunications services. By subsidizing services in rural and low-income areas, the USF helps bridge the digital divide, fostering greater social and economic inclusion. It a ..read more

Over the past week, there has been a flurry of activity related to the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media (COPIED) Act. While superficially focused on helping people understand when they are looking at content that has been created or altered using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, this overly broad bill makes an end run around copyright law and restricts how everyone – not just huge AI developers – can use copyrighted work as the basis of new creative expression.  The COPIED Act was introduced in the Senate two weeks ago by Senators Maria Cantwell ..read more

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to propose handset unlocking policies to improve competition in the mobile wireless market. Public Knowledge commends the Commission for moving to improve consumer choice. The following can be attributed to John Bergmayer, Legal Director at Public Knowledge: “Public Knowledge commends the FCC for its forward-thinking approach to consumer protection and competition through its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on mobile phone unlocking. The proposed requirement for all mobile wireless service providers to ..read more

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to update the E-Rate program to allow schools and libraries to buy Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless internet services that can be loaned to students and patrons off their respective campuses. The agency also seeks further comment on how to refine the E-Rate program rules to maximize funds without unfairly burdening applicants and providers. Public Knowledge commends the Commission for taking yet another critical step toward closing the digital divide. The following can be attri ..read more

Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a Report and Order, Order on Reconsideration, Clarification and Waiver, and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to begin implementing the “Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022” to end predatory pricing for calls to and from incarcerated people. The agency also seeks comment on additional reforms for incarcerated people’s communications services. The move follows almost 20 years of public interest advocacy championing the needs of this vulnerable group. Public Knowledge applauds the Commission for worki ..read more

Public Knowledge has the pleasure of inviting you to a multifaceted program focused on training and developing the next generation of tech policy experts and public interest advocates that reflects the diversity of voices and experiences in our society. Please join us for our monthly Career Breakfast Series. This event is designed specifically for students and recent graduates of color, offering insights into tech policy and public interest careers, and providing a platform for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This time you will have the opportunity to have a great conversation ..read more

Public Knowledge hosts Emerging Tech to bring together public interest advocates, policymakers, and companies on the cutting edge of technology. The event helps inform policymakers about the promise, potential pitfalls, and policy implications of fast-moving tech dominating headlines and impacting our society in new ways. We invite industry experts from across the country to join us for an all-day discussion as well as a reception and tech showcase, where guests can experience the latest technologies first-hand and get to know the people driving the next iteration of the internet. In 2024, t ..read more

Public Knowledge has the pleasure of inviting you to a multifaceted program focused on training and developing the next generation of tech policy experts and public interest advocates who reflect the diversity of voices and experiences in our society. Please join us for our monthly Career Breakfast Series. This event is designed specifically for students and recent graduates of color, offering insights into tech policy and public interest careers, and providing a platform for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. This time you will have the opportunity to have a great conversation wi ..read more

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas held that the Federal Trade Commission cannot “create substantive rules regarding unfair methods of competition” and enjoined the agency’s rule banning noncompete clauses in employment contracts for the named plaintiffs. This past April, the FTC published a final rule banning noncompetes with all workers, including senior executives. The final rule provides that it is an unfair method of competition – and therefore a violation of Section 5 – for employers to enter into noncompetes with workers. Public Knowledge strongly supporte ..read more

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Moody v. NetChoice / NetChoice v. Paxton. The Court explained that the First Amendment prevents states from overriding the content moderation and editorial policies of social media companies, but remanded the cases to the lower courts to consider how the content moderation laws passed by Texas and Florida might apply to other kinds of services with different First Amendment considerations, such as payment processing platforms. Public Knowledge previously filed a brief in this case, arguing that social media platforms cannot be designated ..read more