The Federal Communications Commission's Office of Engineering and Technology announced (PDF) this week it has approved the use of a system to track the use of unlicensed spectrum between TV channels, known as white spaces. The FCC opened up the white spaces for unlicensed use after freeing up the spectrum on the TV band during the transition from analog to digital television. The FCC's previous release of unlicensed spectrum spawned a host of innovations such as WiFi, baby monitors and remote-control garage door openers. The release of lower-frequency airwaves, which are capable of covering much larger distances, raised hopes the white space could be used to create Super WiFi capable of covering an entire town from one wireless hotspot.

Freeing up the white spaces drew concerns about potential interference from broadcasters and users of wireless microphones, prompting the FCC to require that devices using the white spaces first contact an authorized database system to obtain a list of channels at their location not occupied by radio services. On Monday the agency announced that Telcordia, a subsidiary of Ericsson, has been granted preliminary approval to operate a TV bands database system, which will tell makers of white-space devices which frequencies are free to use. The database system must ensure all TV, radio and other authorized services are protected from interference. Telcordia isn't authorized to begin providing service to TV band users until the FCC completes its system for protecting wireless mics at large events or performance venues. The wireless industry praised the announcement as a "significant step forward."

Shelby Presses NASA On Space Plans: Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., is among those not impressed with NASA's shift under the Obama administration towards funding commercial space companies rather than developing space exploration technology internally. Shelby questioned NASA Administrator Charles Bolden at a Senate Appropriations hearing on Wednesday, noting the administration's latest budget request asks for $150 million less than last year for vehicle development, but double the funding for commercial programs. Shelby argued Congress is not willing so subsidize speculative commercial vendors with taxpayer money and called the companies "the future Solyndras of the space industry." He noted both of the commercial cargo providers have missed deadlines to complete demonstration flights. DHS Releases New Safety Act Seals: The Department of Homeland Security announced a new series of marks Wednesday that may be placed on marketing materials for products that qualify for the SAFETY Act. The law was intended to encourage technology that could save lives in the event of a terrorist attacks, by creating liability limitations from claims related to terrorist acts. Previously the marks were only used on products with the highest level of protection, but DHS has added two new categories below government contractor. Yahoo Announced Global Do Not Track Solution: Yahoo announced this morning it will implement a Do Not Track solution across its global network by early summer. The new solution is in line with the principles of the Digital Advertising Alliance, which has signed on to the Obama administration's voluntary plan to allow consumers to opt out of online tracking. The administration has pushed browser makers and online ad networks to give consumers more information about the types of data they are tracking and allow them to opt out of some information collection. Under the voluntary plan, companies involved in online advertising and information collection would agree to a set of common practices, which would then be enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission.

In addition to threatening companies with the prospect of new regulations if they don't comply, the administration has also called on Congress to pass new privacy legislation incorporating a consumer bill of rights. Privacy legislation has some support in the Senate, but is a much tougher sell in the GOP-controlled House. Yahoo also acknowledged Rep. Mary Bono Mack, R-Calif., who has scheduled a hearing in her role as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing this morning on the administration's privacy proposal. Mack has been heavily involved in the issue of online privacy but hasn't indicated a support for legislation as yet. Today's hearing will featuring Federal Trade Commission chairman Jon Leibowitz, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information Lawrence Strickling, privacy advocates, and representatives of the online ad industry.

New Research Initiative in Big Data Computing Coming: The New York Times reports that the Obama administration is beginning a $200 million major research initiative in big data computing, which they are comparing to past research on high-speed networking and supercomputing. Big data refers to the flood of data from a number of sources on the Web and in industry. Combing, combining and analyzing that data is one of the hottest areas in the tech space these days, with every field from agriculture to journalism attempting to harness the waves of newly available information. The National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health will announce a joint program today seeking new techniques and technologies for managing and analyzing data, as well as for machine learning, a branch of artificial intelligence. On the Move: CQ's Eric Naing and Rebecca Shabad report David Toomey has been hired as deputy director of the FCC's office of legislative affairs. Toomey was previously Senate Commerce Committee counsel to Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.

Accenture has named Christopher L. Smith federal chief technology and innovation officer at the global consulting firm. Smith previously served as chief information officer for the Agriculture Department.