FCC's Proposed DRM-Based ATSC Standard Threatens Public Access to Free Broadcast Airwaves
By
Corynne McSherry and Cory Doctorow
A baker's-dozen of insight crammed into one ring.
Summary
The article warns about an FCC proposal to implement a DRM-based standard (ATSC Transition) for digital television that would give a private "security authority" control over licensing, encryption, and compliance of public airwaves. The author argues this would restrict Americans' free access to publicly owned broadcast spectrum, framing it as a more insidious but less noticed policy change compared to attacks on public broadcasting.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledPresident Trump's attack on public broadcasting has attracted plenty of deserved attention, but there's a far more technical, far more insidious policy change in the offing—one that will take away Americans' right to unencumbered access to our publicly owned airwaves.
The FCC is quietly contemplating a fundamental restructuring of all broadcasting in the United States, via a new DRM-based standard for digital television equipment, enforced by a private 'security authority' with control over licensing, encryption, and compliance.
You might also wanna read
UN declares child online safety an 'urgent priority,' calls for tech accountability
The UN has declared protecting children online an 'urgent priority,' with UN rights chief Volker Turk calling on states to hold tech giants
thestar.com.my·2d ago
Norwegian digital ID system: Success in digitalization, failure in accessibility and oversight
Professor Marte Eidsand Kjørven's research on digital identity management in Norway reveals a dual reality: while solutions like BankID have
uio.no·3d ago
Age verification for social media bans threatens privacy for all users
Australia's decision to restrict social media access for children under 16 has sparked global debate, with similar proposals being discussed
techcentral.co.za·3d ago
Take It Down Act Now Enforced: Legal Requirement for Platforms to Remove Nonconsensual Intimate Images
The Take It Down Act, signed into law in 2025 and now fully enforced, requires online platforms to implement processes for removing nonconse
cnet.com·4d ago
Frustration grows over stalled digital rights and privacy advocacy progress
The article discusses the lack of progress in digital rights and privacy advocacy, expressing frustration that the anticipated "digital righ
discuss.privacyguides.net·5d ago
FSFE granted permission to intervene in Apple's EU court challenge against DMA obligations
The Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE) has been granted permission to intervene at the Court of Justice of the European Union in the cas
fsfe.org·10d ago