All articles tagged with #internet access
Starlink users in Iran were able to access the satellite internet for free on Jan. 13 after SpaceX waived fees, according to nonprofit groups; the move came during a near-total communications blackout amid mass protests, with authorities seeking to jam signals and enforce penalties on Starlink usage, while activists note the service's key role in conflict zones and information access.
Starlink is offering free internet in Venezuela following U.S. airstrikes and Maduro's arrest, aiming to provide connectivity amid ongoing conflict and outages, with the service still in the process of formal launch in the country.
The article discusses the limitations and challenges of parental controls, emphasizing that they are not a substitute for active parenting, moral guidance, and understanding of a child's behavior and environment. It highlights the importance of age-appropriate supervision, open communication, and societal responsibility in protecting children online, while criticizing overly complex or commercialized control systems that often fail to address the real issues.
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case that could significantly impact internet service providers' liability for music piracy, with Cox Communications contesting a $1 billion damages ruling and arguing that holding ISPs responsible for piracy could jeopardize internet access for many users, while the music industry and advocates warn that such a ruling is necessary to combat widespread copyright infringement.
Smith Island in Maryland, home to 202 residents, has finally received high-speed internet, ending its long-standing lack of broadband connectivity in a rural area.
The Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided internet subsidies to low-income and rural households, including tribal areas, has run out of funds. This endangers telehealth services and internet access for many, with significant impacts on rural and tribal communities. Lawmakers are debating the program's future, while the Biden administration urges Congress to act and has secured low-cost plans from major internet providers to mitigate the impact.
Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet has connected the remote Marubo tribe in the Amazon rainforest, bringing both benefits and challenges. While the internet has facilitated emergency communication and contact with distant loved ones, it has also introduced issues like increased exposure to pornography and cultural shifts among the youth. The tribe is grappling with the balance between the advantages of connectivity and the preservation of their traditional ways.
A remote Amazonian tribe, the Marubo, has gained internet access through Elon Musk's Starlink satellites, leading to both positive outcomes, such as improved emergency response, and negative consequences, including increased exposure to pornography and reduced family interaction.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced a new partnership aimed at doubling internet access in Africa from 40% to 80%, emphasizing a shift from benevolence to partnership. The initiative, supported by the African Development Bank Group and Mastercard, aims to provide digital access to 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria, with plans to expand further. The effort is expected to boost economic growth, social equality, and job creation, while also opening new markets for U.S. exports. However, U.S. tech workers in Kenya have raised concerns about poor working conditions and low pay.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced a new partnership aiming to increase internet access in Africa from 40% to 80% by 2030, emphasizing investment over aid. The initiative includes the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa and the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy Alliance, starting with a pilot program for 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Harris also highlighted efforts to bridge the gender divide in technology, with over $1 billion in commitments.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced a new partnership aiming to increase internet access in Africa from 40% to 80% by 2030. This initiative, part of a broader effort to boost economic growth through public-private partnerships, includes the formation of the Partnership for Digital Access in Africa and the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy Alliance (MADE). The alliance will initially provide digital access to 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Additionally, efforts to bridge the gender divide in technology have garnered over $1 billion in commitments.
School web filters, intended to comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, are blocking a wide range of websites, including those related to LGBTQ+ resources, sex education, and even NASA. The overzealous filtering is hindering students' access to legitimate academic resources and support for health and safety. Despite concerns about constitutional law and federal guidance, the issue of excessive web censorship in schools persists, prompting advocacy efforts to promote open access to information.
Millions of Americans, including military families, older adults, and rural residents, are at risk of losing home internet access as the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) faces a funding crisis. Without Congressional action, over 23 million households could lose internet access or face significantly higher bills, impacting their ability to work, attend school, access healthcare, and connect to essential services. The ACP, which provides discounts on internet service for low-income households, is set to run out of funding by May, and despite bipartisan support, Congress has yet to approve the necessary $6 billion to renew the program, leaving millions of Americans facing financial distress and widening the digital divide.
SpaceX is set to launch its 10th Falcon 9 rocket of 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, aiming to add to the Starlink constellation. The launch is scheduled for Monday night, with a backup window on Tuesday. Starlink, designed to provide global internet access, has seen thousands of satellites deployed, with plans for thousands more. The mission will include the landing of the first-stage booster on a drone ship in the Pacific Ocean. SpaceX aims for weekly launches from Vandenberg, with a live webcast of the mission available on the SpaceX account.
SpaceX successfully launched 23 Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking the company's 21st Falcon 9 flight of 2024. This launch was the third in under 24 hours, following the Transporter-10 rideshare mission and the Crew-8 astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The mission also saw the 13th flight of the Falcon 9 first stage booster, which has previously flown on multiple Starlink missions and private launches. SpaceX aims to build a megaconstellation of Starlink satellites to provide global high-speed internet access and currently has over 5,000 working satellites in orbit.