Dunkin’ Brands will pay $650,000 in fines and refund customers affected by cyberattacks that compromised tens of thousands of accounts, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) announced Tuesday. From 2015 to 2018, it was “targeted in a series of 'credential stuffing attacks' -- repeated, automated attempts to gain access to accounts using usernames and passwords stolen through security breaches of other unrelated websites or online services,” James said. Tens of thousands of dollars were stolen from customer loyalty cards, she said: “For years, Dunkin’ hid the truth and failed to protect the security of its customers, who were left paying the bill.” The company is "continually updating and enhancing our security measures to address ever-evolving cyber security threats," a spokesperson emailed. "We use robust information security and data safeguards," and the breach affected less than 1% of loyalty card members.
FCC Public Safety and other bureaus posted wildfire procedures for communications providers. Presentations directly related to the emergency in Western states are exempt from ex parte rules, they said Tuesday.
T-Mobile asked for a virtual meeting between CEO Mike Sievert and California Public Utilities Commission member Cliff Rechtschaffen about the carrier’s petition to modify conditions in the CPUC’s April deal approval (see 2007230050), said a T-Mobile filing posted Tuesday in docket A.18-07-012. It urged the commission to modify the 300 Mbps compliance date to 2026 from 2024: That would align the condition “with the company’s network model that was based on coverage projections for three- and six-year periods from the year of close and promote consistency with the other buildout requirements.”
The Department of Agriculture seeks comment, due Nov. 16, on procedures by which the Rural Utilities Service, Rural Business-Cooperative Service and Rural Housing Service will consider projects eligible for special broadband authority under Section 6210 of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, said Monday's Federal Register.
Consolidated Communications filed a fix-it-up plan in Vermont Friday, which the Public Utility Commission required (see 2002070037). The FairPoint Communications acquirer’s plan “includes two outside plant improvement projects,” Consolidated said in case 18-3231-PET. Those rural areas "experienced a higher number of reported troubles.”
A Michigan settlement requires VoIP provider All Access Telecom tighten measures against illegal robocalls, Attorney General Dana Nessel (D) said Friday: It's the first time a state AG or federal agency modified a VoIP provider’s business practices to specifically fight robocalls. The company didn’t comment.
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission set a Sept. 24 vote on Frontier Communications’ bankruptcy reorganization, said a schedule posted Friday in docket 20-504. The virtual meeting starts at 9:15 a.m. CDT. Frontier needs OKs from the FCC and multiple states (see 2009090055).
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities opposed Altice’s motion at the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to hold in abeyance BPU's appeal of a preliminary injunction awarded to the company in January by U.S. District Court in Trenton. The operator, challenging the requirement cablers prorate bills for cancellations, argued the 3rd Circuit should wait because the lower court’s proceedings are moving quickly (see 2009100038). Abeyance is "extraordinary relief reserved for special circumstances,” the board responded (in Pacer) Friday. "No one knows, much less can be assured of, the District Court’s timing."
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities must respond Friday to Altice’s motion to hold in abeyance the board’s appeal of a preliminary injunction awarded to the company in January by U.S. District Court in Trenton, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said (in Pacer) Thursday. If the court’s motions panel denies Altice’s request or refers it to the merits panel, the cable company must file its brief within 20 days. The operator, challenging the New Jersey board requirement that cablers prorate bills for canceling customers, argues the 3rd Circuit should wait because the lower court’s proceedings are moving quickly (see 2009020010).
Twenty U.S. House Democrats from California said it’s “irresponsible” for wireless carriers to seek rehearing of a California Public Utilities Commission order requiring 72-hour backup power in certain high-threat fire areas (see 2008200038). “We are outraged that wireless carriers are arguing against safeguards that will protect Californians during wildfire season and that they are doing so as devastating wildfires burn,” said Reps. Jerry McNerney, Anna Eshoo, Doris Matsui and 17 others in a Thursday statement. “Critical wireless networks need to be able to operate even when fires shut down power service.” CTIA Senior Vice President-Government Affairs Kelly Cole responded, "Through difficult and unprecedented times, wireless carriers have gone above and beyond for California customers with an unwavering commitment to enhancing network resiliency and reliability." Industry is collaborating with public stakeholders, she said.