Phone, Web Clampdowns in Crises Are Intolerable: Susan Crawford
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Sept. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Can U.S. citizens count onusing the Internet and cell-phone networks to communicatein high-stress situations? The Federal CommunicationsCommission is about to examine that question. Publicinterest and the law both require that channels stay open.
At issue is the termination of cell-phone service bySan Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system on Aug. 11.It acted to thwart a protest about a shooting of apassenger by BART police. A host of consumer advocates anddigital civil-rights groups have filed an emergencypetition, asking the FCC to step in.