One month before the FCC presents its National Broadband Plan, the FCC has released a consumer survey with the latest information on national broadband use and adoption.  The survey offers information to provide a greater understanding of the reasons why some have not adopted... Read The Story...

On Thursday, I filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission in the proceeding (NPRM) considering rules In the Matter of Preserving the Open Internet Broadband Industry Practices. My comments centered on the safety and security of consumers on the Internet. The FCC’s NPRM defines some consumer protection actions as cause for “reasonable network management.” For example, spam has indeed been a troublesome online consumer issue. At best, spam e-mail is an annoyance, but it can also lead to confusion, identity theft, and financial loss.  In addition, virus-infected spam presents a tremendous risk to the security of an individual’s computer, as well as the entire network.

Fortunately, the industry has maintained an important role in protecting consumers and the network from the problems imposed by spam mail. My comments made the point that the FCC should consider an approach to defining reasonable network management that allows Internet Service Providers the maximum flexibility needed for ongoing management and protection of the network and the consumers they serve.   Consumers rely on a safe and secure Internet today, and in the future years to come.  Click here to read the full text of my comments.

According to a recently released study by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, 74% of American adults use the Internet. The Pew Research Center also revealed that 60% of American adults use broadband connections at home and 55% of American adults connect to the Internet wirelessly. A similar study was done in the spring of 2009 by the Pew Research Center and this recent study shows that the number of Americans using broadband has dropped slightly, and that there has been a slight increase to those connecting to broadband wirelessly.

Why is this important? While many consumers have access to broadband Internet, there are still a significant number that are not connecting to – and using – the Internet. Bringing the benefits of broadband services to all consumers is a high priority for our nation. The government is investing billions of dollars in broadband infrastructure and programs and the Federal Communications Commission is crafting a national broadband plan. We anticipate the result will be tens of millions of new broadband users and we must make sure to educate those who are new to Internet technologies.

Learning the nuances of the Internet late in life can be a bit scary and if not careful, there are potential problems that can occur. For those of us currently using the Internet, we must encourage the FCC to ensure the Internet is accessible for all consumers, but also that everyone is informed about online safety, security and privacy before launching their online experience. Before connecting, everyone should know how to use network controls to get manage spam, how to maintain their privacy online and most importantly, how their own individual actions can affect the entire network — and how the network’s actions can impact their own online experience.

As we begin the New Year and work to keep our New Year’s resolutions, we should also set some Internet resolutions for 2010. Start the year right and remember to keep your personal information safe online by taking steps to secure your privacy. We should all remember to utilize responsible cyber security practices on the Internet in order to ensure online safety. For tips to staying safe online, check out my Consumer Guide to Online Privacy for helpful information.

As consumers, we all need to take the time to understand the role we each play within the Internet ecosystem and become aware of how our individual actions can impact the network and online community. Similarly, it is also important that we are aware of how other’s actions on the network can affect our experience. By making and keeping our own net resolutions, we can all be part of the responsible online community and encourage others to make responsible choices online as well.  Have a happy — and safe — 2010.

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Consumer Resources

Below are additional resources to more information about online privacy.

Consumer Guide to Online Privacy (PDF)
Consumer Online Privacy Survey
2008 Online Safety Survey
bNetS@vvy
www.onguardonline.gov
www.ikeepsafe.org/
www.getnetwise.org
www.fosi.org
www.enough.org

Other Organizations

National Caucus and Center on Black Aged:
http://www.ncba-aged.org/

National Consumers League:
http://www.nclnet.org/