[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 226 (Friday, November 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70624-70625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27675]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Notice: Call for Nominations, Online Safety and Technology 
Working Group

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration

ACTION: Notice and Request for Nominations of Representatives to Serve 
on Working Group

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) is seeking nominations of individuals to represent the business 
community, public interest groups, and other appropriate groups 
interested in serving on the NTIA Online Safety and Technology Working 
Group (OSTWG) for a single fifteen (15) month term to commence in 
January 2009. At the conclusion of the working group's term, the OSTWG 
will provide a report to the Assistant Secretary for Communications and 
Information and NTIA Administrator and to Congress on ways to promote 
and to preserve a safe environment for children using the Internet.

DATES: Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on 
or before December 12, 2008.

ADDRESSES: An organization wishing to submit a nomination of an 
individual to represent that organization's interests relevant to the 
work of the OSTWG should send the individual's resume or curriculum 
vita and a biographical statement summarizing the individual's interest 
in serving on the working group and relevant qualifications to the 
attention of Tim Sloan by mail to Office of the Assistant Secretary, 
National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1401 
Constitution Avenue N.W., Room 4725, Washington, DC 20230; by facsimile 
transmission to (202) 482-6173; or by electronic mail to 
[email protected]. Individuals may also self-nominate by submitting 
the same information listed above, as well as an indication of support 
from the organization or group that the individual will represent.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Stark at (202) 482-1880 or 
[email protected]; or Tim Sloan at (202) 482-1899 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 10, 2008, the President signed 
into law the ``Broadband Data Improvement Act'' (the Act), Pub. L. No. 
110-385. Section 214 of that Act directs NTIA to establish the OSTWG to 
review and evaluate:
     The status of industry efforts to promote online safety 
through educational efforts, parental control technology, blocking and 
filtering software, age-appropriate labels for content or other 
technologies or initiatives designed to promote a safe online 
environment for children;
     The status of industry efforts to promote online safety 
among providers of electronic communications services and remote 
computing services by reporting apparent child pornography, including 
any obstacles to such reporting;
     The practices of electronic communications service 
providers and remote computing service providers related to record 
retention in connection with crimes against children; and
     The development of technologies to help parents shield 
their children from inappropriate material on the Internet.
    The OSTWG must report its findings and recommendations to the 
Assistant Secretary and to Congress within one (1) year after its first 
meeting.
    The Act specifies that the OSTWG must be comprised of 
``representatives of relevant sectors of the business community, public 
interest groups, and other appropriate groups and Federal agencies.'' 
The ``business community'' includes, at a minimum, Internet service 
providers, Internet content providers (especially targeted towards 
children), producers of blocking and filtering software, operators of 
social networking sites, search engines, Web portals, and domain name 
service (DNS) providers. Public interest groups may include 
organizations that work on behalf of children or study children's 
issues, Internet safety groups, and education and academic entities. 
NTIA is seeking representatives from a broad spectrum of organizations 
to obtain the best information available on the state of online safety.
    The OSTWG will have up to 30 members. Appointments will be for a 
single fifteen (15) month term. The Assistant Secretary seeks 
representatives of organizations with expertise and knowledge 
concerning the issues the OSTWG will study, and upon which it will 
report, as described in the Act, especially individuals who can 
represent the views of an industry sector or a larger public interest 
group. NTIA will also work with relevant federal agencies to identify 
appropriate representatives to serve on the working group.
    The Act exempts the OSTWG from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. 
Members will not receive compensation

[[Page 70625]]

or reimbursement for travel or for per diem expenses. A meeting 
schedule will be announced upon formation of the working group. All 
members selected must agree to attend the scheduled meetings and 
provide input on the working group's report. NTIA will provide 
administrative support for the working group.
    Nominations of potential members should include the individual's 
resume or curriculum vita and should also include a biographical 
statement summarizing the individual's interest in serving on the 
working group and the individual's qualifications relevant to the 
OSTWG's work. Nominations should also include a discussion of the 
individual's ability to represent the views of an industry sector or 
public interest group. Individuals may also self-nominate by submitting 
the same information listed above, as well as an indication of support 
from the organization or group that the individual will represent.

    Dated: November 17, 2008.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E8-27675 Filed 11-20-08; 8:45 am]
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