New Cybercrime Lingo, New Ways to De-Weaponize the Perps

Remember when everyone knew -- and used -- words like “switchboard” and “intercom?” You don’t have to admit this aloud. As words such as these become obsolete, they’re quickly replaced by others. Consider “doxing” and “swatting,” two words in the communications technology/data security world that first came to my attention just the other day. Neither word is brand-spanking new (and swatting, with respect to insects at least, has been around for eons), but with respect to harnessing technology for unsavory purposes, both represent relatively new phenomena.

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Supreme Court on Net Neutrality Review: Not Happening!

Since the earliest days following the D.C. Circuit’s decision to uphold the FCC’s 2015 Net neutrality rules, seven separate court cases have been appealed to the Supreme Court. Last Monday, Nov.  5, the court, by a 4-3 majority (more on that in a few paragraphs), decided NOT to hear any of those appeals on the rules invalidated by the Republican controlled FCC.  This doesn’t mean that there may not be more attempts in the future, but for now, all’s quiet on the Supreme Court front.

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Net Neutrality, the Midterms… & California Too!

Let’s start with the fact that way more exciting things are going on politically at the moment than the battle over Net neutrality. Even for those of us who are passionate about this issue, what’s going on in the White House/Supreme Court/Senate (pick one) is probably more compelling than anything the FCC could or might do. However, as we approach the final few weeks before the ever-important midterm elections, it’s critical to consider how your representative feels about Net neutrality and use that information to vote accordingly.

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Following Verizon Wireless’s Recent Adventure in Throttling

A look at regulatory and practical considerations around the high-profile misstep

Thanks to my friends at No Jitter, I’ve been able to write extensively about some of the issues associated with Net Neutrality.  If you know me, or are familiar with my commentary, you know where I stand. To recap, in my opinion, Net Neutrality is essential to our ability as Americans to communicate and consume information as we so choose.  During the recent spate of California fires, when Verizon got caught throttling data in order to secure a more lucrative contract from a California municipality, I was dumbfounded.

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Kari Hunt Case Jury Awards $41.55 Million

On Friday, June 22nd, a 12-person jury in Marshall, TX awarded $41.55 million to the family of Kari Hunt Dunn following week long civil trial following her death in 2013.  She was fatally stabbed by her estranged husband at a hotel in Marshall on December 1, 2013 where she’d brought her children to visit with their father.  In facts that are well known, while Ms. Hunt’s estranged husband repeatedly stabbed her, her eldest daughter, who was 9 at the time, repeatedly tried to call 911. Because the hotel’s phone system had been designed to require the dialing of “9” in order to reach an outside line, the 9-year old was unsuccessful in reaching anyone who could help her.

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