WebProNews

Legalized Online Gambling Would Bring In Billions

A Joint Committee on Taxation report released today by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) found that regulating Internet gambling would generate roughly $42 billion over 10 years. The report is based on the requirement of a federal license for operators that would allow them to offer online gambling throughout the United States, while keeping the federal prohibition on any form of sports betting.

New Googleplex Established In Brussels

Google has branched out (or more accurately, built up) yet again.  Simon Hampton, Director of European Policy and Public Affairs, announced today that the search giant's established a Googleplex in Brussels, Belgium. Hampton explained on the European Public Policy Blog, "Until now, our small policy team in Brussels worked from temporary abodes.  From now on, you can find us at Chausse d'Etterbeek 180 1040 Bruxelles, right in the heart of the European quarter."

Social Media Playing Role In U.S. Policy Making

Senior staff in the U.S. Congress and European Parliaments regularly access digital outlets and social media to research, influence and set policy, according to a new study by StrategyOne. Nearly every staffer (96%) uses online resources for public policy research, more than half (54%) reported learning of policy issues for the first time online and (19%) actually changed policy positions based on information and opinions they found online.

Lawmakers Benefit From Online Town Hall Meetings

Online town hall meetings with a member of congress has significant and positive impact on a voter's view of a lawmaker and increases the likelihood that they will become more politically engaged, according to research form the Congressional Management Foundation.

Kentucky Supreme Court Hears Online Gambling Case

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments on Thursday on whether the Common Wealth of Kentucky has the power to seize 141 domains belonging to online gambling sites. Previously a Franklin Circuit Court Judge ruled for the state saying it was allowed to seize the domain names, but the Court of Appeals overturned that decision. The case was then appealed to the Supreme Court.

ICANN Becomes More Independent

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the body responsible for managing Internet domain names, has announced it will no longer be controlled by the U.S. government. ICANN and the U.S. Department of Commerce signed an agreement today supporting the model of international multi-stakeholder governance of the global Internet addressing system. ICANN was created in 1998 to manage the Internet's addressing system such as top-level domain-names and IP address space. The group has been criticized for being too influenced by the U.S. government.

EU Plans To Limit MP3 Player Volume

The European Commission said today it wants to implement new rules for the makers of MP3 players that would require them to follow new volume standards. The Commission pointed to a study that found listening to personal music players at a high volume over a long period can lead to permanent hearing damage and 5 to 10 percent of listeners risk permanent hearing loss. It's estimated that up to 10 million people in the EU may be at risk.

Group Announces Support Of FCC Open Internet

The Communications Workers of America (CWA) said today that it is critical for U.S. policy makers to combine the important goals of Internet openness with the need to encourage investment in building a 21st century broadband system.

eBay Petitions EU Over Brand Rules

eBay called on the European Union today to amend an EU competition law to stop brands from restricting the sale of their products on the Internet. The company has given a petition to the European Parliament, signed by 750,000 Europeans' calling for reform.

Government Embraces Cloud Computing With Store Launch

The concept of cloud computing received a big pat on the back this afternoon.  Vivek Kundra, the CIO of the USA, announced the launch of Apps.gov, a storefront designed to help federal agencies research and buy cloud-based solutions.