The Week in Internet News: $1,200 a Month for Internet Service? Thumbnail
Technology 2 December 2019

The Week in Internet News: $1,200 a Month for Internet Service?

Grant Gross
By Grant GrossGuest AuthorTechnology Reporter

Gold-plated Internet access: Ulukhaktok, a small town in Canada’s Northwest Territories, is exploring ways to build its own broadband network after complaints of slow speeds and data caps, Vice.com reports. The price for exceeding the 10 GB data cap cost one resident $1,200 for the month. As part of the community-led effort, several residents have completed training on community networks with the Internet Society, which is supporting the project.

Editing ordered: Singapore’s government has ordered Facebook to “correct” a user’s post that contained accusations about the arrest of a supposed whistleblower and election rigging, in the first use of the country’s fake news law, Reuters says. The government called the allegations “false” and “scurrilous” and ordered blogger Alex Tan to issue a correction. But Tan does not live in Singapore and says he is an Australian citizen, and he refused to comply.

China joins in: Meanwhile, the Chinese government is targeting fake news and deep fake videos under new Internet content rules, Reuters reports. In addition, any use of AI or virtual reality needs to be clearly marked in a prominent manner in the government’s efforts against deep fakes. Failure to follow the rules could be considered a criminal offense, the Cyberspace Administration of China said.

Connections for students: A U.S. lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at providing students more Internet access to assist them with homework, QNS.com says. Representative Grace Meng has introduced the Closing the Homework Gap Through Mobile Hotspots Act, which would create a $100 million grant program for schools, libraries, and federally-recognized Native American tribes to purchase mobile hotspots.

The Internet is for everyone. Learn more about community networks and join the global movement to help close the digital divide!

Disclaimer: Viewpoints expressed in this post are those of the author and may or may not reflect official Internet Society positions.

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