FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is advancing a plan to authorize correctional facilities to jam cellphone signals within designated 'jamming containment areas' to curb contraband phone use by inmates. The proposal requires facilities to obtain licenses, undergo technical testing to prevent interference outside the authorized zone, and conduct additional on-site testing before and after deployment. Carriers, FirstNet, public safety officials, 911 authorities, and nearby communities would be notified in advance of testing and rollout.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-28
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr posted on X warning broadcasters against airing polls he called fake, saying such coverage could violate rules against news distortion or broadcast hoaxes. He did not name any specific polls or broadcasters, but urged outlets to give viewers more context when covering polls.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-21
On a new episode of The Vergecast, David Pierce and Nilay Patel discuss Apple's HomeView smart home hub, noting it has strong hardware and constant power but relies almost entirely on CarPlay rather than hosting a broader app ecosystem. The hosts also cover Google's newest Gemini model, the debate over whether model quality matters without strong products built on it, and renewed discussion about returning to X amid the failure of rival platforms.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-16
Educational and library groups submitted comments to the FCC opposing a proposal from Chairman Brendan Carr to potentially limit or sunset E-Rate, the $2 billion annual program that subsidizes internet access for schools and libraries. Carr, who led a 2-1 vote in June to open the rulemaking, has argued the program expanded beyond its original purpose and criticized schools for increasing student screen time. The American Library Association contends the FCC lacks authority to end the congressionally mandated program and lacks expertise to regulate screen time.
news.slashdot.org
· 2026-10-15
Schools, libraries, and education associations flooded the FCC with comments opposing a proposal from Chairman Brendan Carr to potentially sunset E-Rate, the $2 billion annual program that subsidizes internet connectivity for schools and libraries. The National Association of Elementary School Principals and the American Library Association were among groups urging the FCC to preserve the program, which Carr has criticized for enabling excessive student screen time. The FCC already cut E-Rate funding last year for Wi-Fi hotspot lending and school bus internet service.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-14
The FCC will vote October 29 on rules barring device certification testing performed in mainland China, with a transition period ending December 1, 2028. Currently 82% of electronics authorized last year were tested in China, versus under 4% in US labs, according to Chairman Brendan Carr. The rules would limit recognized labs to the US or countries offering reciprocal recognition, with Hong Kong and Taiwan reportedly included but mainland China excluded.
techspot.com
· 2026-10-12
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would have the final decision on whether to televise the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted in the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. Carr indicated he would not block any Pentagon decision to air the execution on broadcast television.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-10-10
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a CNBC interview that he would leave it to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to decide whether networks can air the planned firing-squad execution of convicted Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. The Pentagon has said the execution will be livestreamed, which Carr noted likely places it outside FCC jurisdiction over broadcast TV. Major platforms including YouTube, Twitch, Meta, and X have not yet responded to questions about whether they would carry the livestream.
theverge.com
· 2026-10-09
The FCC has waived its 25 percent cap on foreign equity ownership to approve a deal allowing sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi to collectively hold up to 49.5 percent of the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. entity. The agency argued the stakes carry no voting rights and therefore no control, but critics including Free Press and Commissioner Anna Gomez dispute that reasoning.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-18
Jimmy Kimmel said he removed an interview with Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico from his broadcast after concerns that the FCC, under Brendan Carr, could threaten ABC affiliate licenses over the segment. The interview was reportedly still available in some other format, but not aired on television as originally planned.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-10
Jimmy Kimmel announced his interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, a Democrat, will air only on YouTube rather than broadcast television. Kimmel said the change protects ABC's local affiliate stations, particularly in Texas, from potential FCC license challenges tied to Chairman Brendan Carr's past threats against the network.
yro.slashdot.org
· 2026-09-10
Jimmy Kimmel announced his sit-down with Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico will stream only on the Jimmy Kimmel Live YouTube channel rather than air on ABC's broadcast affiliates. He said the shift is meant to shield local stations from further FCC scrutiny amid ongoing regulatory pressure tied to Disney and ABC.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-10
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