FCC vs Verizon

Court Orders FCC to Answer Fox License Challenge

The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered the FCC to respond to a mandamus petition from the Media and Democracy Project (MAD), which seeks to force action on a Fox-owned TV station license renewal challenge. The petition concerns WTXF in Philadelphia, where MAD alleges Fox disseminated false election claims. The FCC's Media Bureau dismissed the complaint in 2023, but the Commission has not voted on the appeal for 20 months. MAD argues this inaction blocks judicial review. The court's directive requires the FCC to explain its handling of the case. This procedural move highlights concerns about FCC transparency and the application of character qualifications for broadcast licensees.

• The D.C. Circuit Court ordered the FCC to respond to a mandamus petition by the Media and Democracy Project.
• The petition seeks to compel FCC action on a license renewal challenge for Fox-owned WTXF in Philadelphia.
• The FCC's Media Bureau dismissed the complaint in 2023, and the Commission has not voted on the appeal for 20 months.

FCC Cuts Off 'Digital Solutions' for Violating Robocall Rules

The FCC has taken action against Digital Solutions for violating robocall rules, cutting off their services. Additionally, the FCC has announced new spectrum initiatives, proposed modernization of ultra-wideband technology rules, and updated NEPA environmental regulations.

FCC To Hold Open Commission Meeting Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The FCC news page has been updated with new headlines, including an announcement for an upcoming Open Commission Meeting on September 30, 2026, a news release about guides to stop unwanted calls and texts, and a statement on the Paramount-WBD settlement.

STARZ and Verizon reach distribution agreement

STARZ has announced a new distribution agreement with Verizon, restoring all STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand, and the STARZ app on Verizon Fios. The agreement gives subscribers access to STARZ's programming lineup, including the full "Power" Universe, "Power: Origins," "Fightland," "Outlander," "Outlander: Blood of my Blood," "P-Valley," "S.W.A.T. Exiles," and "Tip Toe." STARZ also highlighted its upcoming movie slate. The deal follows a previous loss of access for Verizon Fios customers, indicating a resolution of negotiations. Alison Hoffman, President of STARZ Networks, expressed satisfaction with the mutually beneficial agreement, emphasizing STARZ's commitment to delivering bold storytelling for women and underrepresented audiences.

• STARZ and Verizon have reached a new distribution agreement.
• The agreement restores all STARZ channels, STARZ On Demand, and the STARZ app on Verizon Fios.
• Subscribers will have access to programming including the 'Power' Universe, 'Outlander', and upcoming titles.

Phishing Attacks Target AI Agents with Prompt Injection

A new analysis by cybersecurity firm Barracuda reveals that phishing campaigns are increasingly targeting both human users and AI email assistants. Attackers combine social engineering with prompt injection techniques to manipulate AI agents into treating malicious emails as legitimate and opening attachments. The report highlights a campaign where emails from a public sector domain passed reputational filtering, hiding invisible prompt injections that instruct AI to change payment details or open malware. Barracuda identifies four common techniques: hidden instructions in HTML comments, zero-pixel text, encoded blocks, and invisible Unicode characters. The threat underscores the need to treat external content as data, separate from instructions.

• Barracuda analyzed a phishing campaign combining social engineering with prompt injection.
• The campaign used emails from a public sector domain that passed reputational filtering.
• Barracuda identified four techniques: HTML comments, zero-pixel text, encoded blocks, and invisible Unicode characters.

SpaceX Spectrum Deal Sinks Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile Stocks

Telecom stocks fell sharply on Friday after SpaceX announced an agreement to acquire a nationwide spectrum portfolio from Grain Management, aiming to expand its Starlink satellite internet into mobile services. Verizon dropped around 10%, on pace for its worst day since 2002, while T-Mobile fell 13% and AT&T about 10%, each heading for their worst days since 2013 and 2000, respectively. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr welcomed the deal, noting that competition in the spectrum market is positive for consumers. Analysts at Evercore ISI and J.P. Morgan commented that the acquisition gives SpaceX the outline of a real network, but they see limited near-term risk to wireless incumbents given the time and capital needed to build a terrestrial network.

• SpaceX announced an agreement to purchase a nationwide spectrum portfolio from Grain Management.
• The deal includes up to 14 MHz of paired spectrum in the 800 MHz band.
• Verizon stock fell about 10%, on pace for worst day since 2002.