Here is a rewind of some of the latest cable, TV, internet, phone industry and ISP news from around the country for the week of May 15, 2017:
New Worm Kinda Makes You WannaCry
A wave of ransomware hit the whole world last week. More than 200,000 computers in 150 countries have been hit with the malicious software, called WannaCrypt or WannaCry, that demands payment of $300 in Bitcoin.
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably already heard that Congress recently passed a bill that would allow Internet Service Providers (ISP's) to sell your personal information, usage data, and browsing history to the highest bidder. While some websites already do that, take for example the targeted ads you see on Facebook and Google, this is the first time the practice has gotten a nod from lawmakers - particularly where the ISPs themselves are concerned.
You probably remember when Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas attempted to criticize net neutrality, saying it is “Obamacare for the Internet”, and claiming that it would lead to government control over broadband pricing and services. Over the weekend, Minnesota Sen. Al Franken called out Cruz, saying the claim was “baloney,” and pointing out the fact that we’ve had net neutrality for years and all the while, telecom and cable Internet companies have been enjoying record profits.
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing today on broadband Internet competition, media consolidation, and the future of online streaming video transmission. The witnesses who appeared before the committee were Comcast executive David L. Cohen and AT&T chief John T. Stankey.
