Tech Policy From The Hill

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PODCAST: Cyber Security: Will The Sharing of Threat Information Secure The Homeland or Erode Privacy?

Date: Friday, April 10, 2015

President Obama has made the public-private sharing of threat information one of the most pressing priorities in his massive push to protect the nation’s cyber infrastructure. In February at the Cyber Security Summit, the President signed an executive order to promote better sharing of threat information, “both within the private sector and between government and the private sector.” As part of that strategy, he has called upon Congress to pass legislation to increase the flow of threat information.

Yet, Congress has attempted to pass such legislation before and was met with vigorous opposition. Almost two years ago the “Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA)” met an abrupt end amid civil liberties, privacy, and surveillance concerns — and that was before the NSA revelations by Edward Snowden.

Now the President and Congress are back with new legislation to protect cyber systems via information sharing. Bills are being prepared and you are likely to see Congress vote on it shortly. Our panel of experts will explore the issues related to information sharing, whether the approach will secure the homeland and whether the legislation puts civil liberties and privacy at risk.

Speakers:

Cory Bennett, Cyber Security Reporter, The Hill (Moderator)
Robyn Greene, Policy Counsel, Open Technology Institute at New America
Dena Graziano, Director, Federal Government Affairs, Symantec
Heather Molino, Cornerstone Government Affairs (former Minority Staff Director for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence)

Photo Heather West, Amie Stepanovich, Jen Ellis, David Bitkower

Encrypting Smartphones and Internet Messages: Are Americans More or Less Secure?

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2015

Recently the “Crypto Wars” debate started anew when FBI Director Comey suggested that Apple and Google’s encrypting their smart phones presented grave concerns to law enforcement. He suggested that law enforcement should hold to the keys to such communications. UK Prime Minister David Cameron amplified that concern in the wake of the Paris terrorist attack suggesting that encrypted communications should be beyond the ears of law enforcement. And just recently President Barack Obama has called for public conversation on encryption policy. That is a conversation we want to start on March 12.

The data encryption, or crypto, debate is a balancing act between providing digital security for personal communications while allowing security agencies access to prevent or respond to catastrophes. Corporations and privacy advocates argue that strong encryption is good for business and the only way to truly secure your computer or mobile device, but does this protection come at a cost? Are there any technical solutions to address this challenge?

Panelists:

  • David Bitkower, Deputy Assistant Attorney General (Criminal Division), United States Department of Justice (Bio)
  • Jen Ellis, Senior Director of Community and Public Affairs, Rapid7 (Bio)
  • Tal Kopan, Cybersecurity Reporter, Politico Pro (Moderator) (Bio)
  • Amie Stepanovich, Senior Policy Counsel, Access (Bio)
  • Heather West, Public Policy, CloudFlare
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FCC Net Neutrality Rules Briefing

Date: February 27, 2015

Panelists debate and discuss the new FCC “Open Internet” rules approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) the prior day. Panelists review what may be in new rules and what the future holds for net neutrality law and policy.

Panelists:

  • Anna-Maria Kovacs, Visiting Senior Policy Scholar, Georgetown University
  • Tim Lordan, Executive Director, Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (moderator)
  • Geoffrey A. Manne, founder and Executive Director, International Center for Law and Economics
  • Sarah Morris, Senior Policy Counsel, Open Technology Institute at New America Foundation
  • Melanie Wyne, Senior Technology Policy Representative, National Association of REALTORS
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Should Congress be Caring About Sharing?

Date: December 8, 2014

Companies like Uber, Lyft, and Airbnb are high profile examples of the so-called sharing economy, in which ordinary people use online platforms to rent (rather than sell) products and services to each other. Also known as collaborative consumption, or peer to peer commerce, this new way of doing business uses the Internet to connect individual sellers and consumers, and is changing the economy in many ways.

Despite the successes of sharing economy pioneers, there is a growing backlash about circumvention of regulations and community standards, and displacement of workers – such as taxi drivers – in established industries. These debates are important because we might only be in the early stages of the sharing economy. In the future, a large number of industries could be disrupted by these new business models.

Panelists:

  • Arun Sundararajan, New York University Stern School of Business
  • Adam Thierer, Mercatus Research Center at George Mason University
  • Alex Howard, E Pluribus Unum (moderator)
  • David Hantman, Airbnb
  • John Breyault, National Consumers League
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The Legal Underpinnings of Digitally Exposed Private Images and What Congress Needs to Know

Date: November 6, 2014

“Hunger Games” Actress Jennifer Lawrence stated in November’s Vanity Fair that exposure of her personal nude photos was a “sex crime.” Was it? If not, what kind of legal recourse does Jennifer Lawrence — or an everyday American citizen like you — have against hackers and web sites that peddle such photos? Today’s digitized era raises new, complicated questions regarding non-consensually shared private photos. What are the legal and social underpinnings in scenarios spanning from hacked private photos and revenge porn, to “upskirt” photos taken in public areas? Should American citizens hold certain privacy expectations and if so, what are they?

Speakers:
Mary Anne Franks, University of Miami School of Law; Emma Llansó, Center for Democracy and Technology; Rob Pegoraro, Yahoo Tech; David G. Post, Volokh Conspiracy on WashingtonPost.com; Tal Kopan, POLITICO Pro

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Does the Internet Need a Revised Communications Act?

Date: October 16, 2014

Since the last update of the Communications Act (in 1996) many leaders have proposed updating the act for the digital age. Our panel discusses whether the Internet — which started out digital — needs to be part of a rewrite that includes broadcast, cable, telephone, and satellite services.

Speakers:

Doug Brake, Information Technology Innovation Foundation
Justin “Gus” Hurwitz, Nebraska College of Law
Sarah Morris, New America Open Technology Institute
Cathy Sloan, Computer and Communications Industry Association

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What New Internet & Mobile Phone Taxes Would Mean For Constituents & The Economy

Date: September 29, 2014

A panel of experts explains what the Internet tax moratorium is and what failing to reauthorize it will mean for constituents and for the economy.

Speakers:
Scott Mackey, KSE Partners
Katie McAuliffe, Americans for Tax Reform
Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee, Vice President and Chief Research and Policy Officer, Minority Media and Telecommunications Council

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Can Europe Force Search Engines to Censor Information? Assessing the Right to be Forgotten

Date: August 8, 2014

In May, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled that Google and other search engines must consider requests by any EU citizen to delete information about them, under a policy known as “the right to be forgotten.” Google alone has processed more than 90,000 take down requests since May. Europe’s new privacy right clashes with other deeply held values such as freedom of expression and transparency. Many observers are concerned that the EU’s approach could even affect American Internet users. EU privacy regulators have suggested that the search engines must delete results not only within the EU, but globally, in spite of our First Amendment rights to publish and view the information.

Speakers:
Mike Godwin, Senior Policy Advisor, Internews
Joe Jerome, Policy Counsel, Future of Privacy Forum
Emma Llansó, Director of CDT’s Project on Free Expression, Center for Democracy and Technology
Rob Pegoraro, Columnist, Yahoo Tech
David Hoffman, Director of Security Policy and Global Privacy Officer, Intel
Michael Kubayanda, Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee

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The NSA Surveillance Programs: Assessing The Damage to U.S. Commerce, Confidence & Credibility

Date: Friday, July 18, 2014

It has been one year since the sweeping NSA surveillance programs were revealed by controversial leaker Edward Snowden. As Congress considers reforming these programs we need to also assess the impact that this controversy has had on U.S. commercial interests, on our confidence in our leaders, and on U.S. credibility both globally and domestically.

Speakers:

Stewart Baker, Partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Kevin Bankston, Policy Director, Open Technology Institute, New America Foundation
Chris Hopfensperger, Director, Policy, BSA | The Software Alliance
Shane Tews, Visiting Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (moderator)

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