Technology is woven into every aspect of our lives, and Americans have come to rely on the internet for everything from booking a vacation, sharing information with neighbors, shopping online, or finding a new job. What’s more, they choose platforms that they trust. During the 118th Congress, most conversations about tech policy focused on regulating the largest American tech companies. But it’s important to recognize that almost all prospective policies will also disproportionately affect online enterprises of all sizes and business models.
That’s why Internet Works was formed four years ago. As a coalition of 20 small to medium-sized platforms, we ensure our diverse collection of companies and users are represented in important policy conversations, all with the goal of preserving the internet as a place of limitless possibility.
In just six weeks, Americans will head to the polls, elect a new President, and determine partisan control of the House and Senate for the 119th Congress. Regardless of the election outcome, these tech policy debates on everything from content moderation and platform liability to online trust and safety will grow in intensity. Internet Works, and our members, have worked diligently over the last four years to collaborate with lawmakers of both parties, and we look forward to continuing that partnership in 2025. Chief among our priorities is ensuring that online regulation is right-sized for small and medium-sized companies. This includes preserving the integrity of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This foundational law has helped American companies survive and thrive to the benefit of American consumers for nearly 30 years. Simply put, the internet would not be the engine of economic growth, and a force for bringing the world closer, without Section 230.
We also understand that tech policy includes a wide and ever-expanding host of issues, with data privacy, online trust and safety, AI, competition, and so many more issues coming into play for policymakers. Since our creation, Internet Works has worked with members of Congress to develop policies we believe actually fix the very real problems that can exist online without stifling innovation. In fact, just this year, we supported the REPORT Act, bipartisan legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation and endorsed the Invest in Child Safety Act, to protect children from online exploitation. Internet Works has also appreciated the opportunity to be a constructive partner with members of the Senate Commerce Committee to improve the ability of small and medium-sized companies to comply with the intent of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, which passed the committee this summer and would help protect and empower victims of non-consensual intimate image abuse.
In these policy debates, and those that are sure to come, it is critical that small and medium-sized tech companies have a seat at the table. Once the dust settles from this historic election, Internet Works and our members will be ready to collaborate with lawmakers and participate in nuanced discussions about these important issues. We urge the new Administration and Congress to do the same. Most importantly, we remain hopeful that any legislation aiming to address real online harms will be carefully balanced to ensure a healthy and diverse internet ecosystem that works for all Americans.
Peter Chandler is the first-ever Executive Director of Internet Works. Internet Works is a coalition of 20 small and medium-sized technology companies with the goal of ensuring our diverse collection of users is represented in important policy conversations and to preserve the internet as a place of innovation and possibility.
