FTC Could Gain Enforcement Power Over Internet

Hugh Pickens writes "The Washington Post reports that under a little-known provision in financial overhaul legislation before Congress the Federal Trade Commission could become a more powerful watchdog for Internet users with the power to to issue rules on a fast track and impose civil penalties on companies that hurt consumers. 'If we had a deterrent, a bigger stick to fine malefactors, that would be helpful,' says FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, who has argued in favor of bolstering his agency's enforcement ability. This power would stand in stark contrast to a besieged FCC, whose ability to oversee broadband providers has been cast into doubt after a federal court ruled last month that the agency lacked the ability to punish Comcast for violating open-Internet guidelines. The provision to strengthen the FTC is in the regulatory overhaul legislation passed by the House, and although it is absent from the legislation before the Senate, some observers expect the measure to be included when the House and Senate versions are combined."

Comments

Power Over Internet ?

[psergiu]

What are the improvements vs. IEEE 802.3af Power Over Ethernet ?
Will the old devices be compatible ?

Re:Power Over Internet ?

[psergiu]

And FTC "Gaining Enforcement Power Over Internet" means that all their offices will be forcibly re-wired with this new standard ? :-)

Re:where is the money?

[Anonymous Coward]

Show of hands who here makes 2 times the money now as they made 10 years ago?

Actually, I do.

Then again, I do work for the government...