New FCC boss plans big tech shake-up and faster space permits
The soon-to-be FCC chairman wants to change how social-media companies handle content moderation and speed-up space industry paperwork. His plans include working with tech giants and space companies
Brendan Carr takes over as FCC chairman next yr (after being picked by Trump) with some non-standard ideas: he wants to fix what he calls the “censorship cartel“ and make space-business permits faster
In a meeting on Nov 21st Carr shared his main goals: “I expect a significant workstream at the FCC to deal with tech censorship; some of it will help other agencies maybe its Congress‚ but Im going to fully play my part“
The 45-year old commissioner (who worked with Ajit Pai during Trumps first term) plans to speed-up satellite permits — a process thats now super-slow. “It can take longer to move a piece of paper from one desk to another than it can to build an entire rocket“ he explained
When it comes to reporters and journalists trust in the industry is at an all-time low
The agency will see big changes when current chair Jessica Rosenworcel leaves on Jan-20:
- More focus on social-media oversight
- Faster space-industry paperwork
- Possible TV license reviews
- New tech company rules
Carr has close ties with tech leaders (especially Elon Musk) and visited SpaceX sites many times this year. Critics say these connections might affect his decisions but he disagrees — pointing out that he also supports other space companies like Amazons Project Kuiper
The Georgetown grad started at FCC as a lawyer working on tech-related cases; now heʼs ready to change how the 90-yr old agency works — focusing on what he sees as tech-industry problems and space-business growth
