New Year, New Congress, New Tech

After the “blue wave” that propelled Democrats to a majority in the US House of Representatives, Paul and Matthew invited tech policy expert Will Rinehart to join them as they suss out the implications for new legislation of emerging tech. While a split Congress often struggles to find bi-partisan agreement on major policy initiatives, there is a growing sense of unease in Congress in regards to internet privacy and social media monopolization. Unfortunately, sometimes the cure can be as bad or even worse than the original problem. Some of the proposed regulations could handicap American tech companies in similar fashion to how new digital copyright and privacy rules have hampered the European digital economy. One of the most worrying trends is a prediction from last year come true, that the hollowing out of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which has long protected online platforms from frivolous lawsuits and charges, was so weakened by anti-sex trafficking legislation (SESTA/FOSTA) that Congress will continue to carve out exceptions in other areas. Will Congress need more tech expertise moving forward? What does the new Congress mean for innovation? What Section 230 of the CDA? Are big tech companies traditional monopolies? Do we need more transparency when it comes to big tech companies and what information they gather about us?Further Reading:Comments on Developing the Administration’s Approach to Consumer Privacy, written by Will Rinehart Tech Expertise in Congress, written by Will RinehartRelated Content:Will EU Copyright Break the Internet, Building Tomorrow Podcast How the FOSTA Rules Create a “Bootleggers and Baptists” Scenario for the 21st Century, written by Paul Matzko Practical Problems with Regulating Tech in the Public, written by Will Rinehart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.