Page 135 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

President-elect Donald Trump has picked Brendan Commission.” (November 18, 2024) www.reuters.com
Carr, a critic of the Biden administration’s telecom
policies and Big Tech, as chairman of the Federal The FCC’s Privacy and Data Protection Task Force
Communications Commission, he said in a announced a new Memorandum of Understanding
statement. Carr, 45, is currently the top Republican with the California Privacy Protection Agency. Unlike
on the FCC, the independent agency that regulates state Attorneys General offices, which are responsible
telecommunications. He has been a harsh critic of for enforcing all state laws and regulations, the CPPA
the FCC’s decision not to finalize nearly $900 million is dedicated exclusively to protecting consumers”
in broadband subsidies for Elon Musk’s SpaceX privacy rights. This singular focus allows the agency
satellite internet unit Starlink, as well as the Commerce to be at the forefront of privacy regulation. Additionally,
Department’s $42 billion broadband infrastructure while state Attorneys General primarily operate within
program and President Joe Biden’s spectrum policy. the realm of law enforcement, the CPPA wields both
Last week, Carr wrote to Meta’s Facebook (META.O), rulemaking and enforcement powers, allowing it to take
opens new tab, Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O), opens new tab a comprehensive approach to data privacy regulation.
Google, Apple (AAPL.O), opens new tab and Microsoft The FCC’s partnership with this unique state agency,
(MSFT.O), opens new tab saying they had taken tasked with enforcing the California Consumer Privacy
steps to censor Americans. Carr said on Sunday the Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act,
FCC must “restore free speech rights for everyday will ensure both agencies can align their efforts to
Americans.” Democratic Senator Ed Markey said Carr’s best protect consumer privacy, ensure businesses and
letter amounted to “a regulator implicitly threatening consumers are well informed about their rights and
private companies for their speech. The FCC under obligations, and enforce privacy laws.
Trump is prepared to become the Federal Censorship (October 29, 2024) www.fcc.gov

Vietnam's 4G mobile network coverage now reaches these over 700 coverage gaps across the country, the
99% of the population, bringing the country close to the expansion of telecommunications coverage must
level of developed nations, which is at 99.4%, Minister comply with the provisions of the new
of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Telecommunications Law and the accompanying
Vietnam Hung affirmed at a Q&A session as part of the 15th decree. However, the decree has not yet been issued
due to several delays. According to the minister, the
National Assembly’s ongoing 8th sitting on November
12. By June 2025, all mobile network coverage gaps ministry is working hard to finalize this draft decree
will be eliminated, which is both a goal and a and submit it to the Government for approval either in
commitment from the ministry, Hung said while November or December of this year.
answering deputies” queries on the lack of mobile (November 12, 2024) www.vietnamplus.vt
phone network in remote hamlets and villages. For

135 OCT-DEC 2024