August 02, 2026 to August 08, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning ICT, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, social media platforms, digital privacy, AI, cybersecurity, blockchain, Web3 and cryptocurrencies. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track other GR news in adjacent industries? Don't miss this week's updates in Finance and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our ICT & Cybersecurity - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

FCC Proposes Rules to Limit State and Local Barriers for Wireline Deployments

The Federal Communications Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at codifying deadlines and fee structures for state and local authorizations relating to wireline telecommunications services and broadband infrastructure deployment. The proposal would create a presumption that a failure to act on access requests within 120 days constitutes a violation of Section 253 of the Communications Act, potentially subjecting state or local review procedures to preemption. It also seeks to limit related fees to a reasonable approximation of actual and direct costs, prohibit excessive in-kind contributions, and bar duplicative requirements for commingled wireline and other services. The Commission invites comments on the proposed deadlines, which would affect permitting for rights-of-way and pole attachments, and on cost-based safe harbor fees for deployments. The NPRM requests stakeholder data to inform final rulemaking.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FCC Advances Supply Chain Security with Proposed Equipment Authorization Reforms

The FCC issued a Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that outlines an extensive set of measures to increase supply chain security via its equipment authorization program. The proposed changes include bifurcating the Covered List (producer/provider-based vs. production location-based entries), requiring hardware and software bills of materials (HBOM/SBOM), stricter rules against 'white labeling', specific certification mandates for certain device sectors (including UAS and routers), and new requirements for U.S.-based liable parties for certified equipment. Other proposals involve reforms to importation and marketing rules, FCC logo usage restrictions, and mandatory registration of Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity devices. Comments are due by September 8, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Auction 115 Announced for Flexible-Use Licenses in the Upper C-Band

The FCC has set April 27, 2027, as the commencement date for Auction 115, which will offer 3,248 new flexible-use licenses in the 3.98–4.14 GHz band (upper C-band). The licenses will be offered nationwide in eight 20 MHz blocks by partial economic area, with 15-year renewable terms. The Office of Economics and Analytics seeks industry feedback on auction design, including an ascending clock format, minimum opening bids, and bidding credit caps for eligible entities. The public notice and auction framework were released in line with statutory requirements under Public Law 119-21; comments close August 24, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Imposes Tariffs and Import Controls on Polysilicon for National Security

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation enacting a 15% tariff and a minimum import price program on polysilicon and its derivatives. The measures include incentives for domestic investment, aiming to address national security risks and restore U.S. capacity in the sector, which has fallen below 2% of global output as of 2024 (down from 50% in 2005). The program is set to take effect in 120 days and follows similar policy actions targeting steel, aluminum, and solar products.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Continuation of National Emergency on Sensitive Technologies and Outbound Investment

The White House extended for one year the national emergency originally declared in Executive Order 14105 concerning the risk posed by countries of concern advancing sensitive technologies with military, intelligence, surveillance, or cyber applications. The extension recognizes ongoing activities by foreign actors seeking to exploit U.S. outbound investment and technology transfer for strategic capabilities. The notice is effective as of August 3, 2026, and was transmitted to Congress and published in the Federal Register.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Kids Online Safety Act

S. 1748, the Kids Online Safety Act, was ordered to be reported favorably with an amendment by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill addresses online platform responsibilities and data protections for minors.

Sources: www.congress.gov

CHATBOT Act

S. 4407, the CHATBOT Act, was advanced by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The bill proposes safeguards for the use of conversational AI systems and transparency measures.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Youth AI Privacy Act

S. 4199, the Youth AI Privacy Act, was ordered reported favorably with amendments in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The measure targets data privacy for children interacting with artificial intelligence technologies.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026

S. 5171, the Children's Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026, advanced from the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee after an amendment. The bill focuses on safety standards for AI-enabled toys marketed to children.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

S. 2666, Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent. The legislation seeks to curb unwanted automated calls originating from overseas.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• China launches cybersecurity review into Palo Alto Networks products: Chinese regulators initiated a cybersecurity review of Palo Alto Networks, impacting U.S.-China technology relations.
• OpenAI flags possible critical cybersecurity risk in upcoming model, tightens controls: OpenAI detected a potential cybersecurity issue in an unreleased language model and responded by enhancing control measures.
• Levi Strauss reveals cybersecurity breach amid wider wave of attacks: Levi Strauss disclosed a cybersecurity breach during a period of increased cyberattacks on corporate networks.
• China's Zbtlink suspends sales of routers found to contain backdoor: Zbtlink, a Chinese router vendor, paused sales after its routers were identified with a backdoor vulnerability.
• AI & Tech Brief: The Senate’s frontier AI bill: The Washington Post outlines the Senate’s latest legislative initiative on advanced artificial intelligence oversight.
• One Casualty of Taiwan’s War Drills: A Slower Internet: Taiwan experienced decreased internet speeds during recent war drills, highlighting regional infrastructure vulnerabilities.
• The Cyberattack That Brought a Distant War to Small-Town Minnesota: A report examines how a foreign cyberattack disrupted IT operations in rural Minnesota.

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