Until recently, Apple had used Google Maps as the default navigation tool on its iPhone and iPad, but now the technology giant is moving to create its own mapping feature for use on the devices. Apple's announcement also comes at a time when Google is facing renewed scrutiny over the Street View cars that take pictures and gather data for its maps. Google has admitted the cars downloaded payload data from unsecured wireless networks, and maintains the collection was inadvertent, despite evidence in the FCC's report on the matter that indicates the engineer responsible told others of his plans. British authorities have re-opened their probe into the matter, with several other countries threatening to do the same in light of the FCC's report. The FCC found Google didn't break the law in collecting the data, but fined the company $25,000 for impeding its investigation.
Senators Urge Open Debate on Cybersecurity Bill: Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, and Mark Warner, D-Va., sent a letter (PDF) to Senate leadership Monday urging them to send cybersecurity legislation to the floor this summer for open debate. The pair called for a process that would allow the relevant committees to weigh in, set a timeline allowing for debate during the July work period, and allow any senator to offer relevant amendments and changes. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has said he plans to bring legislation to the floor for debate this summer, but the various stakeholders are still negotiating on a compromise between two competing bills (S 2105, S 2151). Senate Commerce Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., issued a statement backing the letter:“We absolutely must act on cyber legislation without delay, and I commend Sens. Warner and Snowe for stating that clearly. I agree with them that there is ‘tremendous potential’ for reaching consensus on how to protect the critical systems that our country relies on for electricity, water, transportation, telecommunications and other essentials. Our military and intelligence leaders have given us clear advice and urgent requests about what they need from us. We need to act now.”Groups Tell Government to Block Record Label Merger: CQ's Ambreen Ali reports that consumer advocacy groups are urging lawmakers to oppose a $1.9 billion merger between Universal Music Group and EMI Group that would reduce the number of major music labels from four to three. Public Knowledge and the Consumer Federation of America held a briefing on the Hill on Monday with congressional staff, where they argued that the merger would reduce competition and harm consumers. The Senate Antitrust subpanel has scheduled a Thursday hearing on the matter. While it's always tough to predict the outcome of an antitrust probe, this one is drawing significant attention — and similar opposition to AT&T's failed takeover of T-Mobile USA. We expect some conditions placed on the transaction at a minimum, and wouldn't be shocked to see the government sue to block the deal. Senate Panel Takes Up Anti-Kony Bill: CQ's Chad Brand reports that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will mark up a resolution today (S Res 402) offering congressional support for U.S. operations to eliminate Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army. Scrutiny of Kony has increased significantly since an online video documenting some of his atrocities went viral. Panel Democrats are looking to capitalize on that momentum by passing a bill (S 2318) that would strengthen U.S. efforts to bring war criminals to justice by offering rewards that lead to an arrest or conviction. Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., has said the bill was written with Kony in mind. First Chinese Woman Launched Into Space: The Economist's Babbage blog reports that China launched its first woman into space over the weekend, prompting observers to question whether the move heralds greater equality between the sexes in the country. Liu Yang took off from Jiuquan spaceport in Gansu with two other astronauts Saturday. The Chinese are working toward building their own orbiting space station because the U.S. is not inclined to allow them access to the International Space Station. Babbage notes China is taking a slow and steady approach to the space race, which may pay off in the long run. Of the two traditional space powers, Russia has no plans to return to the moon, and the U.S. has shelved its human spaceflight program in favor of boosting the commercial space industry, which hasn't yet demonstrated those capabilities — which means a Chinese woman could very well be the next human to walk on the moon.