Internet

Please join ITIF for a virtual panel discussion with technology policy experts who will highlight and critique the most counterproductive tech policies of the past year, and consider how the incoming administration and Congress can turn the page.

Pakistan's frequent Internet shutdowns, justified by the government as measures to address political unrest, have significantly harmed the nation's economy, with estimated losses ranging from $892 million to $1.6 billion in 2024. To preserve economic activity and social value, policymakers should explore alternative approaches to addressing security concerns without restricting Internet access.

Meta announced on January 7, 2025 that it was ending its third-party fact-checking program on its social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—and moving to a “Community Notes” model, similar to X, in the United States.

Canadian consumers should not have to bear the costs of the Online Streaming Act. If the creation and promotion of Canadian content is a societal goal, then it should be funded by the government.

Policymakers should aim for a balanced approach to complying with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)—ensuring that platforms are transparent about their supply chains, while also preventing bad actors from exploiting the system.

Banning Americans from accessing a social media application that millions use every day is unprecedented in our country. If the such a ban goes into effect, it will cause a far-reaching disruption in Americans’ ability to engage with the content and audiences of their choice online.

Thailand’s emerging digital markets are driven by innovation, growth, and the spirit of entrepreneurship. Hastily adopting the PEA as proposed risks introducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, fostering regulatory capture, and stifling innovation without clear evidence of market failure.

Watch now for an online presentation and discussion with Robert D. Atkinson and David Moschella, co-authors of Technology Fears and Scapegoats: 40 Myths About Privacy, Jobs, AI, and Today’s Innovation Economy.

There is a huge opportunity to change the technology narrative of recent years, making it less about fear, potential downsides and things to blame, and more about national development, competitiveness, and prosperity in an “America First” context.

The FTC’s September 2024 staff report on the data practices of nine major social media and video streaming companies makes four flawed claims: that platforms surveil users, secretly share data with advertisers, collect data to block competitors, and limit consumer choice due to insufficient competition.