Morning tech tipsheet: Monday May 3

FCC chair prefers to keep framework for broadband unchanged (Post Tech) — Writes Cecilia Kang this weekend, “The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is leaning toward keeping the current regulatory framework for broadband services in place, after a federal court decision last month showed weaknesses in the agency’s legal status over broadband service providers…”

Jury convicts Palin e-mail hacker on two counts (CNet) — From Declan McCullagh, “A Tennessee jury on Friday convicted the 22-year-old son of a Democratic politician of hacking into Sarah Palin’s Yahoo e-mail account when she was a U.S. vice presidential candidate in 2008. … The federal jury found David Kernell guilty of unauthorized access to a computer and destroying records to obstruct justice. Kernell, the son of a state legislator, was acquitted on a wire fraud charge, and the jury deadlocked on an identity theft charge. … It’s unclear when Kernell’s sentencing will happen. U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips has not yet set a date….”

China targets ‘foreign voices’ in Web crackdown (AP) — The Associated Press writes this morning, “China will target online information from “overseas hostile forces” in its next crackdown to tighten Internet controls, a government spokesman said in comments reported Monday. … The announcement gave no details about which groups might be targeted but Beijing sometimes accuses political, human rights, Tibet and other activists abroad of trying to undermine communist rule. … The move is part of efforts to step up a crackdown on online smut, gambling, fraud and other offenses, said Wang Chen, chief of the Cabinet’s Information Office, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.”

“Apple steps up pace of deals in race with Google for startups (Bloomberg) — From Connie Gulielmo: “Apple Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs is accelerating the rate of acquisitions as it vies with Google Inc. for mobile technologies and talent. … Apple said it bought two closely held companies last week, mobile-application startup Siri Inc. and semiconductor designer Intrinsity. Those deals came after January’s takeover of mobile- ad network Quattro Wireless and the December buyout of online music service LaLa Inc. Terms weren’t disclosed.”

Australian gov’t delays vote on latest censorship proposal (Tech Dirt) — Mike Masnick reports: “Apparently, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy — the main supporter of the plan — has admitted that the legislation has been moved to the backburner, and it is unlikely to be passed before the election. Given how many times these proposals have been made and failed, it makes you wonder why they keep trying.”

What we’re covering this week… 

TUESDAY

New America Foundation
FCC: Toothless regulator or cop on the beat?
Where: 1899 L St., Suite 400
When: Tues., May 4, 12 – 1:30 p.m; RSVP required
Panelists include Hank Hultquist, VP for Federal Regulatory Affairs at AT&T; Barbara Esbin, a senior fellow at the Progress and Freedom Foundation; Harold Feld, legal director for Free Press; and Linda Kinney, a VP at DISH Network.

WEDNESDAY 

House Judiciary Committee
Full committee hearing on patent reform
Where: Rayburn 2121
When: Wed., May 5, 10:15 a.m.

House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Hearing on the Electronic Communications Privacy Act
Where: Rayburn 2121
When: Wed., May 5, 2 p.m.

THURSDAY

The FCC’s Joel Gurin, head of the commission’s Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, discusses a new initiative involving consumer billing.
Where: FCC headquarters
When: May 6

FRIDAY

American National Standards Institute and the Internet Security Alliance 
Cybersecurity briefing on Capitol Hill to present new report
Where: Cannon 311C
When: Friday, May 7, 11:30 a.m. RSVP required