The following statement can be attributed to the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA).
SIIA commends President Biden on a State of the Union address that highlighted the importance of “investing in American innovation, in industries that will define the future” and signaled a redirection of the Administration’s efforts around technology and information policy. Innovation and government investment in the technology and information industries is critical to support consumer needs, strengthen the U.S. economy, and protect U.S. national security. SIIA supports policy to further a healthy environment for the creation, dissemination and productive use of information.
We appreciate the President addressing the critical issues of protecting online privacy and safety.
Protect kids online. SIIA commends President Biden’s commitment to protect kids online. We are encouraged by the ongoing bipartisan negotiations in Congress to do just that and look forward to working with all stakeholders throughout the process.
Social media. SIIA urges the Administration and Congress to take a nuanced approach towards social media. The Administration and Congress should take care to advance policy measures in a targeted and researched-based manner rather than with a broad brush.
Federal data privacy. Notably, President Biden hinted at but did not call directly for comprehensive federal privacy legislation. We encourage the White House to be proactive in supporting comprehensive federal privacy legislation that is appropriately tailored to the needs of consumers and businesses.
Competition. SIIA commends the President for focusing competition policy on issues that matter to consumers and are driven by concern for their welfare – hidden “surcharges” and fees for travel arrangements, concerts and sporting events, and the like. We urge the Administration to avoid regulation sounding in unproven theories of antitrust regulation such as a number of technology-related proposals that failed in the last Congress.
