January 23, 2017-During his time as head of the Federal Communications Commission, Tom Wheeler pushed for internet providers to deliver information at equal speeds. But companies have pushed back against this idea of net neutrality. Wheeler joined us to talk about the telecom industry, his successor, and his plans for the future. Afterwards, we’ll hear from Harvard professor Susan Crawford about what telecom policy might look like under President Trump.
Author: Susan Crawford
This is the Year Donald Trump Kills Net Neutrality
January 2, 2017- Predicting exactly what sort of telecommunications policy the next administration will pursue is tricky. The main clues we have thus far are the writings of Trump’s transition team. But transition teams don’t actually make policy, so they’re an imprecise indication of what will follow.
NYT: Expect a Cozy Trump-Telecom Alliance
Early next year, Senate Democrats will get to choose a new commissioner for the F.C.C. Democrats ought to pick a strong consumer advocate who will use the position to speak out forcefully for more competition in the industry and common-sense approaches like net neutrality rules. Susan Crawford, of Harvard Law School, and Tim Wu, of Columbia Law School, are two experts who specialize in telecommunication issues and fit that bill.
Trump could electrify local broadband or decimate competition
December 7, 2016- “This is a moment for the happy warriors of telecom policy to get out there and organize and be a part of the infrastructure deal for the Trump administration,” said Susan Crawford. “As we build roads and bridges and tunnels, we can include fiber that’s open access. That’s what I’m dreaming of, and that’s where we need to go.”
The Terrifying Cost of “Free” Websites
If you’re not paying, you’re not the customer–you’re the product.
Vox: Fast Gigabit Networks
October 17, 2016-Vox takes a look at cities that have spent millions on fast gigabit networks. Susan discusses her views on building a nationwide fiber network.
Susan Crawford makes the case for the Responsive Communities Initiative
As part of Boston’s HUBweek, Harvard Law School Clinical Professor Susan Crawford addressed a gathering of more than 100 people at Harvard Law School in September and made the case for her new Responsive Communities Initiative, a three-pronged program aimed at addressing issues of social justice, civil liberties, and economic development involving high-speed Internet access and government use of data. The initiative is based at HLS and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
Washington Post: Controversy Over Facebook’s Free Internet
October 6, 2016-“Zero-rating is pernicious, unfair and unnecessary,” said Susan Crawford, a law professor at Harvard who has advocated for strong regulation of the broadband industry. Permitting the practice would simply enable “the gameplaying of companies who have a strong interest in maintaining the status quo.”
Small Towns Join Forces to Bridge the Digital Divide
Jul. 3, 2016–Roughly 34 million Americans still lack access to high speed Internet, and this includes a stark 39 percent of all rural people in the country. On PBS NewsHour, Susan Crawford discusses how rural regions can gain access to low cost, high speed Internet by banding together.
The Future of the Internet Hangs in the Balance
Oct. 30, 2015–Susan joins NPR’s John Hockenberry on The Takeaway to discuss the release of Freedom House’s annual Internet Freedom Report. “The future contours of the internet are definitely up for grabs,” says Crawford. “There’s this choice we’re facing—whether we’re going to have this network that provides humans with choices, opportunities, and self determination, or whether China and Russia’s vision will be the prevailing one.”
The Women Who Won Net Neutrality
Sept. 22, 2015–Marvin Ammori, for Slate Magazine, highlights the women who fought for and won net neutrality. Susan Crawford is commended for her leadership in the public debate.
Marketplace Tech: NSA and AT&T
August 18, 2015–AT&T is helping the NSA spy on Internet traffic.