The Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School is a leader in the study of the law and policy around the Internet and other emerging technologies.
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CIS in the news.
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AT&T Cries About Having to Play Fair Under New Net Neutrality Law
Not only does this let AT&T give its own services an unfair advantage in the market, the approach lets deep pocketed companies pay AT&T to be exempt from usage caps. Consumer groups say this creates an unfair marketplace where bigger, wealthier companies can buy an advantage over their smaller, cash-strapped competitors—once AT&T gets its cut. -
AT&T blames net neutrality law for HBO Max counting against data caps
Stanford University professor Barbara van Schewick, who has long advocated for net neutrality, also said AT&T's elimination of HBO Max zero-rating is actually a good thing for consumers. "This is a win for an open and free internet, including for competing video services and internet users," she wrote. "People should be free to choose which videos they want to watch — whether that’s Netflix, Twitch or their local church’s Sunday service, without the company they pay to get online trying to influence their choices." -
HBO Max viewing will start counting against AT&T data limits
In a blog post, AT&T said California’s new net neutrality law bans “sponsored data” services, which let the company pay for the data usage of customers who also subscribed to AT&T’s streaming platform.AT&T, which developed HBO Max after buying Time Warner for $85 billion in 2018, had used sponsored data to let wireless customers stream AT&T-owned video services without it counting against their data limits. The company said the new law affects customers in states beyond California “given that the internet does not recognize state borders.” -
AT&T Halts Free Data Services After Net Neutrality Ruling
Supporters of the California law argue that AT&T offered the data allowance exemptions to steer customers to video services it owns.“Since many people are concerned about going over their data caps, this program gives AT&T’s video services an advantage over competing online video services,” Barbara van Schewick, a professor at Stanford Law School, said in a statement. -
Tesla Tells Two Stories About Self-Driving Vehicle Timeline
Bryant Walker Smith, an autonomous vehicle law expert at the University of South Carolina, described the Tesla emails as "cringe-worthy." He said "it's so obviously clear that there's a contradiction between what Tesla is saying in its marketing role" versus what its engineers and lawyers are telling the DMV. "One side is inflating those expectations, the other side is massaging them," he said. -
Tesla’s Autopilot Technology Faces Fresh Scrutiny
Bryant Walker Smith, a professor at the University of South Carolina who has advised the federal government on automated driving, said it was important to develop advanced technologies to reduce traffic fatalities, which now number about 40,000 a year. But he said he had concerns about Autopilot, and how the name and Tesla’s marketing imply drivers can safely turn their attention away from the road. -
Internet providers put hypocrisy on full display in challenging net neutrality
Barbara van Schewick, director of Stanford Law School’s Center for Internet and Society, said that “net neutrality ensures that cool, innovative startups don’t have to worry about being blocked, slowed down or having to pay internet service providers, and that people can use their services without interference.”“The more states adopt net neutrality, the larger the market for innovation,” she said. -
Net Neutrality May Soon Return Thanks to California Judge
“The judge found that the law is on a solid legal foundation and that the ISPs trying to overturn it are not likely to prevail,” said Barbara van Schewick, a law professor at Stanford University who contributed legal briefs in support of the law. Read more about Net Neutrality May Soon Return Thanks to California Judge
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Net Neutrality is Officially Here
California's landmark law that allows net neutrality … finally has the green light to go into effect. That's what a federal judge ruled yesterday. What this means for YOU when you go online is this: your internet provider can NOT pick and choose which services to slow down or put caps on – think of all those shows and movies you stream! Also, your provider CANNOT make certain websites go faster just because they have a business partnership with them.Guest: -
California can enforce net neutrality law, judge rules in loss for ISPs
California still has to win the court case to avoid a future ruling that could overturn its net neutrality law. But with a victory over the ISPs' request for a preliminary injunction, California and its supporters say they are confident in their arguments.Judge Mendez "found that the law is on a solid legal foundation and that the ISPs trying to overturn it are not likely to prevail," said Stanford Law Professor Barbara van Schewick. -
Net neutrality law to take effect in California after judge deals blow to telecom industry
“The judge found that the law is on a solid legal foundation and that the ISPs trying to overturn it are not likely to prevail,” said Barbara van Schewick, a law professor at Stanford University, in a statement. She penned one of the legal briefs in support of the law and against the internet providers that had sought an injunction to stop it from taking effect. Read more about Net neutrality law to take effect in California after judge deals blow to telecom industry
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Trump left a ‘massive’ traffic-safety mess for Biden. Item one: Tesla’s self-driving claims
”Inactive,” is how Carla Bailo, president of the Center for Automotive Research, summed up NHTSA’s four previous years. “Dormant,” said Jason Levine, executive director at the Center for Auto Safety. “No direction,” said Bryant Walker Smith, a professor and expert in autonomous vehicle law at the University of South Carolina. Read more about Trump left a ‘massive’ traffic-safety mess for Biden. Item one: Tesla’s self-driving claims
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Gearing up: Automated driving technology experts offer advice, anticipation for future
Automation generally will touch every aspect of the law, according to University of South Carolina law professor and automated driving expert Bryant Walker Smith. Read more about Gearing up: Automated driving technology experts offer advice, anticipation for future
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What Happens When You Click ‘Agree’?
“We have become so beaten down by this that we just accept it,” said Woodrow Hartzog, a Northeastern University law professor. “The idea that anyone should be expected to read these terms of service is preposterous — they are written to discourage people from reading them.” Contracts are, in theory, meant to be mutually agreeable. How can they be if they’re designed so consumers cannot understand them? Read more about What Happens When You Click ‘Agree’?
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The Supreme Court Will Hear Its First Big CFAA Case
“The Supreme Court’s opinion in this case could decide whether millions of ordinary Americans are committing a federal crime whenever they engage in computer activities that, while common, don’t comport with an online service or employer’s terms of use,” said Riana Pfefferkorn, associate director of surveillance and cybersecurity at Stanford University’s law school. (Pfefferkorn’s colleague Jeff Fisher is representing Van Buren at the Supreme Court.) Read more about The Supreme Court Will Hear Its First Big CFAA Case
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Google must disclose emails in Russian oligarch's divorce
Albert Gidari of Stanford University's Center for Internet and Society said the judge probably didn't want to hold up a trial set for Nov 30 in London. -
Who’s liable when a self-driving car collides with another vehicle?
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Who’s liable when a self-driving car collides with another vehicle?
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Deep-Dive Discussion about Cybersecurity with Riana Pfefferkorn
Riana Pfefferkorn is the Associate Director of Surveillance and Cybersecurity at the Stanford Center for Internet and Society. Riana’s work focuses on investigating and analyzing the U.S. government’s policy and practices for forcing decryption and/or influencing crypto-related design of online platforms and services, devices, and products, both via technical means and through the courts and legislatures. She also researches the benefits and disadvantages of strong encryption on free expression, political engagement, economic development, and other public interests. Read more about Deep-Dive Discussion about Cybersecurity with Riana Pfefferkorn