Friday’s decision by the Federal Communications Commission to cite Comcast for unlawful violation of “network neutrality” principles raises the serious question whether a government agency should be allowed to issue what it expressly terms a set of non-binding “principles” and then make an official finding of illegality when a company fails to follow those principles.
The data to establish that Internet ads are a subset of a broader advertising market — one in which, almost by definition, Google is not a “dominant” or even large player — may be there. Now it’s up to the advocates, economists and enforcement officials to figure out the answer.
Cisco will start to embed “lawful interception” capability into its router products. This is just another sign that the days of anonymity on the Internet are numbered.
Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer, once again on an anti-open source crusade, now says Linux is a “cancer” but that the new Windows Server 2003 product can compete with free software because is it “innovative.”
America Online on Tuesday said it is filing five lawsuits against individuals and companies that are allegedly purveying bulk unsolicited e-mail, or spam, to its members. Boowah!
Apple Computer this morning released an updated beta version of its Safari Web browser as part of a reported effort to “distance its software environment from Microsoft’s.” It is unclear what the commercial benefits are (if any) that accrue to Apple from developing a new browser.