Who Needs the FCC? Seattle Writes Its Own Broadband Privacy Rule

TechCrunch | Devin Coldewey | May 4

https://techcrunch.com/2017/05/04/who-needs-the-fcc-seattle-writes-its-own-broadband-privacy-rule/

“Hardly anyone was pleased by the rollback of the broadband privacy rule last month, opening up the possibility of ISPs collecting and selling your browsing data — including, as it turns out, cities whose citizens were left out in the cold. Seattle wasted no time taking matters into their own hands, and the result is a local rule that provides a few of the repealed one’s critical protections. The FCC’s broadband privacy rule would have boosted requirements for transparency and security practices — and more importantly would have added browsing history to the list of “customer proprietary information” and required ISPs to get advance permission from consumers to track and sell it. Of course, it was never allowed to take effect. Seattle’s response was swift; I talked with the city’s CTO, Michael Mattmiller, about what happened next.”

 

Fewer Lanes, But Rapidly Riding in Seattle

Q13 Fox | Jon Humbert | May 4

“http://q13fox.com/2017/05/04/fewer-lanes-but-rapidly-riding-in-seattle/

The popularity of transit in Seattle and King County is blessing and a curse. But one Kevin Freitas admits it’s worth it. ‘We live in a world class city, really,’ he said while standing in front of his South Lake Union office. He loves the location. The commute? Less so.”

 

More Records Fall: Median Home Price Hits $722,000 in Seattle and $880,000 on Eastside

Seattle Times | Mike Rosernberg | May 4

http://www.seattletimes.com/business/real-estate/more-records-fall-median-home-price-hits-722000-in-seattle-and-880000-on-eastside/

“Seattle has set a record for home prices for the third straight month, with the typical house cost nearing three quarters of a million dollars. On the Eastside, the median home is approaching $900,000 for the first time after rising $150,000 in just a year, the biggest jump ever. And Snohomish County home prices are rising at their fastest pace in four years. Monthly home sales figures released Thursday showed the greater Seattle real estate market — already the hottest in the country — somehow keeps picking up even more steam.”

 

Washingon Governor to Honor 37 Apprentices Headed for Tech Jobs Thanks to Apprenti Program

GeekWIre | Kurt Schlosser | May 2

https://www.geekwire.com/2017/washington-governor-honor-37-apprentices-headed-tech-jobs-thanks-apprenti-program/

“The first cohort of apprentices to come out of Apprenti, a program run by the Washington Technology Industry Association, will be honored by Gov. Jay Inslee during a special event in Seattle on Friday. The program focuses on recruiting under-represented groups including women, people of color, and veterans. The 37 apprentices in the first group will each receive up to five months of technical training and then a one-year paid apprenticeship with a mentor and additional training provided by WTIA member companies.”