In our final episode of 2024, we reflect on the year’s major tech policy shifts affecting SMEs, developers, and innovators. From SEP licensing, digital trade, and AI regulation to data privacy and cybersecurity, we cover the challenges and wins that shaped the app economy.

We also want to hear from you! Complete our end-of-year survey (link in show notes) for a chance to win a guest spot on Global Tech Swamp.

Listen now and join us as we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025!

We’re diving into the ripple effects of 2024’s major elections on tech policy and small business innovation. From the EU’s shifting regulatory priorities to the UK’s post-election opportunities for SMEs and the evolving U.S. digital trade and AI landscape, we explore what these changes mean for startups and entrepreneurs in the app economy. Join your hosts as they unpack key policy shifts, challenges, and opportunities with insights from our expert policy teams worldwide. Whether you’re navigating new compliance hurdles or looking to scale globally, this episode offers critical takeaways to help you stay ahead in an increasingly interconnected world.

In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re discussing critical cybersecurity issues, diving into topics around data privacy, encryption, and the impact of current and proposed regulations on digital security. Developer and ACT | The App Association member representative Mitchel Volkering joins the discussion to provide insights on encryption, the importance of secure platform-provided tools, and the risks posed by underregulated app marketplaces, especially for vulnerable users like children and teens. Join us for more on practical steps policymakers and users alike can take to enhance digital security.

In this month’s special crossover with the Unfog the Climate podcast, we’re chatting with Alexis Normand from ACT | The App Association member company Greenly, a global small business leading the charge on sustainability and carbon tracking. Alexis dives into Greenly’s mission, the importance of carbon reporting, and how our partnership aims to help small businesses comply with carbon reporting guidelines. We also touch on how green tech intersects with standard-essential patent (SEPs) licensing, highlighting how a fair SEP licensing framework is crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving eco-friendly innovations.

Jonas Almeling, self-proclaimed ecosystem strategist, innovation leader, and startup scaling expert, joins Chelsea Thomas, executive director here at ACT | The App Association, for a deep-dive discussion into the EU’s relationship with regulation and innovation. Jonas and Chelsea outline the pros and cons of the EU’s regulatory environment for small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) and discuss how entrepreneurs can join movements that advocate for the small business perspective.

In this episode, we delve into the global regulatory environment and its profound impact on small business success. We’ll talk through how certain regulations can delay the rollout of cutting-edge features, introduce security risks, and affect consumer trust. We'll also discuss how these regulations shape venture capital investment and global competitiveness. Don't miss our upcoming deep dive with ACT | The App Association’s executive director, Chelsea Thomas, where we'll explore these issues in even greater detail before the end of the summer.

In this episode, we're exploring how small businesses are the key to responsible AI adoption and why a regulatory environment that rewards and inspires innovation is essential for them to thrive. Later, we’re joined by Trish Thomas from member company Akamai Strategy for a deep dive into a current regulatory environment that, if not addressed, could stifle AI and IoT innovation for decades to come.

Join us for a crucial conversation on privacy challenges for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities. We'll explore the vital themes related to the ways privacy breaches impact these communities, including issues with prison communications technology and apps like Clubhouse. Learn how the small app developer community can help mitigate these harms through brief firestarter conversations followed by a deep dive roundtable discussion.

Note: Matt Schwartz is a former policy associate at Innovators Network Foundation. The information here is presented in his capacity as a privacy policy expert.

Join us as we discuss all things AppCon’24. We’re sitting down with Graham Dufault, general counsel at ACT | The App Association, for an overview of all issue areas our members will be taking to the Hill and regulatory agencies this AppCon, including mergers and acquisitions, digital trade, privacy, and more.

Chelsea Thomas, executive director of ACT | The App Association, will join us for a digital trade and competition update. We’ll discuss some of the DMA-related actions in the EU and highlight how digital trade issues in the United States could impact small business entrepreneurs everywhere.