The 463: Inside Tech Policy

No Rest for the Wicked: Worst Internet Laws Revealed

David McGuire -- August is supposed to be down time for policy geeks, but it would appear that bad policy never takes a month off. 

Earlier today, 463 client NetChoice, a DC-based group that advocates on behalf of e-commerce, released the latest version of its "Internet Advocates' Watchlist for Ugly Laws" (iAWFUL), which calls out America's 10 worst Internet bills and laws.

Although federal measures are included on the list, most of the entries come from the states where Internet regulation has grown increasingly aggressive in recent years.

In the two months since NetChoice issued the first version of iAWFUL, a lot has changed. Five new measures were added to the list (including new entries at the #1 and #2 positions).  Of the measures that fell off the list, at least three were either delayed or amended in response to iAWFUL publicity.

Earning the dubious distinction of the #1 worst Internet measure in America is a Maine bill that would force Web sites to obtain "verifiable parental consent" before collecting any information from Maine teenagers. For sites that provide college information, health advice and popular products like class rings, this ill-conceived bill could have negative implications that are felt far outside of Maine.

Give the list a look, and if you have the misfortune to live in one of the states tagged (North Carolina accounts for three entries by itself) consider giving your local elected official a piece of your mind. 

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Mr. Chopra Goes to Silicon Valley

Katie Hallen -- Aneesh Chopra received a rock star’s welcome Tuesday night at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif., in an event hosted by TechNet, the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Churchill Club.  For America’s first federal CTO, it was his first visit – and public appearance – in Silicon Valley since President Obama appointed him to office in April.

Chopra, who previously was Virginia’s secretary of technology, had initially been perceived by some in the room as a Silicon Valley outsider, but last night they embraced him as a visionary with big ideas and specific objectives to help the government translate technology to boost U.S. global competitiveness and better engage the citizenry.

Among those in the packed room of 350 attendees was Tim O’Reilly, an early Chopra supporter.  O’Reilly wrote back in April when news of the CTO appointment hit that: “Chopra has been one of those who have taught me the most about how we can build a better government with the help of technology.” 

Chopra revealed his near-term (next 90 days, by September 22) versus long-term priorities, looking at how government can invest in the building blocks of innovation, promote innovation to achieve national policy goals, and instill a culture of openness and transparency.  In particular, he cited his huge support for health care IT, education technology and government R&D investment.

 “We need to embrace this spirit of commonwealth – the idea that we can bring the power of entrepreneurship to deliver game-changing innovation in our public services,” said Chopra who peppered his remarks with stories of social entrepreneurs who have inspired him to help technology and the government work better for the American people.

Watch the YouTube video from the talk and Q&A on the Churchill Club’s YouTube Channel.

Read the Twitter chatter here.

See more coverage from TechCrunch, PC Magazine and the New York Times.

TechNet and the Center for Democracy and Technology are 463 clients.





 














 

Aneesh Chopra's First Valley Trip as Fed CTO

Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra will be making his first official trip to Silicon Valley tomorrow. And, if you move fast, there are two ways that you can hear from him.

Tomorrow night, the Churchill Club and 463 clients TechNet and the Center for Democracy & Technology will be hosting Chopra at the Computer History Museum. Tickets are going very fast for this late-breaking event. Registration closes tomorrow morning. Go here for all the details.

And, then on Wednesday, our friends at the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee are holding their annual State of the Net West event at Santa Clara University. Chopra's trip is well-timed. He'll be able to join Congressman Rick Boucher, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Congressman Bob Goodlatte, industry leaders and academics at the event.