The push to amend a decades-old video privacy law is hitting a late snag, thanks to the late inclusion of some additional privacy protections. Netflix and other tech companies have lobbied heavily for Congress to change a 1988 law (PL 100-618) that requires companies to ask for permission every time they disclose a customer's video rental history. In response, the House passed a bill (HR 2471) earlier this year that requires providers only obtain consent once, to make it easier for viewers to share what movies they've been watching on social networking sites like Facebook.
However, Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., wants to add a provision to the bill that would prevent companies from sharing customer emails without a search warrant in most cases. Those additional privacy protections drew concern from ranking Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who suggested Leahy's proposal could disrupt law enforcement investigations and burden prosecutors. The two sides are still working on a compromise, but the issue has definitely become a stumbling block for a bill that looked likely to become law before the end of the year.
House Intel Committee to Report on Chinese Telecom Involvement: The House Intelligence Committee will release both classified and unclassified reports on the links between the Chinese government and two of the nation's largest telecom companies in the coming weeks. The reports should shed greater light on the relationships between the Chinese government and Huawei and ZTE, two companies known for manufacturing broadband modems, cell phones and other devices sold abroad. Lawmakers are concerned over potential vulnerabilities in the companies' equipment that could later be exploited by the Chinese for strategic gain. Huawei in particular has been the target of congressional scrutiny thanks to its president's former status as an officer in the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Both companies have denied any links to the Chinese government and say they would resist attempts to leverage their network for espionage. However, lawmakers say they have yet to see proof of the companies' independence, and note sources have accused Huawei of purposely designing its systems to allow external access. Visa Renewal Heads to President's Desk: The House passed a three-year renewal of expiring immigration and visa programs on Thursday, including the online job verification system E-Verify. The Senate has already passed the measure, clearing the path for it to be signed into law by President Obama. The bill (S 3245), which drew only three opposing votes, would reauthorize programs for foreign investors, medical graduates and religious workers. The original bill introduced in August would have made those programs permanent, but the Senate shortened the renewal to last through Sept. 30, 2015. Bill Directs DOJ to Create Background Check System for Child-Focused Groups: The Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill (S 645) on Thursday that would direct the Justice Department to create a criminal background check system for businesses and organizations that serve children. The system would give groups access to nationwide information, as opposed to state-only searches, therefore widening the reach of a background check. The issue of predators working with organizations aimed at children has come to the forefront since former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was convicted of sexually assaulting a number of children that he worked with through his charitable organization. Google Blocks Anti-Islamic Video in Muslim Countries: The growing violence in the Arab world has prompted Google, the owner of YouTube, to block access to a video that is ostensibly the cause of violence that lead to the death of four American diplomatic personnel in Libya. Google hasn't removed the video from the Web, but said it is taking steps to block the video in Egypt and Libya in response to exceptional circumstances. Google said it has already determined that the video, which mocks the prophet Muhammad, is not hate speech, which under YouTube's terms of service targets individuals, not groups. The video is still viewable in other countries where violence has now been reported. Because of Rosh Hashanah, Congress and the Executive Briefing's Morning Take will be on recess Monday and Tuesday. We'll bring you breaking news, if warranted, through the day. Morning Take will resume Wednesday.