OVERNIGHT TECH: Reid promises ‘fair hearing’ for GOP cybersecurity bill

THE LEDE: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) promised a “fair hearing” for a GOP cybersecurity bill introduced Thursday.

“This legislation demonstrates an encouraging willingness from Senators on both sides of the aisle to engage in a constructive and open-minded debate about urgently needed cybersecurity legislation,” Reid said. “I look forward to a debate on the Senate floor that will ensure this bill and other proposals get a fair hearing, and which will allow thorough consideration of amendments to improve the legislation.”

{mosads}Reid plans to bring an alternative cybersecurity measure — backed by Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), the Cybersecurity Act — directly to the Senate floor, skipping any committee votes.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a sponsor of the GOP’s Secure IT Act, said he will offer his bill as a substitute amendment to the Lieberman-Collins measure on the Senate floor. 

Unlike the Lieberman-Collins bill, the Republicans’ Secure IT Act would not give the Homeland Security Department the power to require critical computer systems to meet certain security standards. 

Reid emphasized the similarities between the bills but insisted that the final legislation protect critical computer systems.

“Perhaps the most important contribution of this legislation is to highlight areas of broad agreement that should be included in a final comprehensive cybersecurity measure. It is an imperative for our national security that such a measure also address cybersecurity in the nation’s most critical infrastructure,” he said.

The GOP bill focuses on encouraging information sharing between the private sector and the government on cyberthreats and enhancing criminal penalties for cybercrimes. 

AT&T clarifies limits on ‘unlimited data’: AT&T announced a new policy on Thursday for slowing data speeds of users with unlimited data plans.

Under the new policy, users will receive warnings before their data usage exceeds 3GB in one month. If they exceed 3GB, AT&T will slow their phone’s speed. 

Previously, AT&T slowed unlimited data customers if their data use placed them in the top 5 percent of data users within their area for that month. 

The company said the limits are a response to “soaring mobile broadband usage and the limited availability of wireless spectrum.” 

Consumers Union, the policy arm of Consumer Reports, accused AT&T of trying to “squeeze money out of customers.”

“This attempt by AT&T to clarify its wireless plans only creates more questions,” said Parul Desai, policy counsel for Consumers Union. “How can a product advertised as ‘unlimited’ have a clearly defined limit? How exactly is this going to ease congestion and improve service? If a customer uses most of their data during off-peak hours, why should that customer be throttled?”

ICYMI:

A federal appeals court in Chicago ruled that police did not violate a suspect’s constitutional rights when they searched his cellphone without a warrant.

The AFL-CIO launched a revamped website Thursday with an eye toward mobilizing the grassroots this fall. 

Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Communications and Technology, appointed three Democrats and three Republicans to a working group to study cybersecurity issues.  

Tags Harry Reid John McCain Susan Collins

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