R Street’s Technology and Innovation policy program conducts research and advocacy around the public policy frameworks that govern both established and emerging technologies. Our goal is to push back against laws and regulations that impede economic progress or individual liberty, and to advance policy solutions that allow technology to move at the speed of innovation.
Technology and Innovation
The Issue
Publications
If the coronavirus isn’t keeping us inside, the sweltering D.C. summer certainly will. Stay at home and take a read through R Street Tech, this month’s update on all things tech policy at the R…
If the market can’t provide the beneficial things society needs to save lives, give it a nudge
Caleb Watney
From MarketWatch:
The U.S. government is at no disadvantage, relative to Germany. Under Title III of the DPA, it has the same tool at its disposal: federal purchase guarantees. Reluctance to use…
Democrats don’t want police reform and other commentary
Steven Greenhut
From New York Post:
Libertarian: California’s Foolish War on Tech
California’s anti-business Democratic leaders are now “singling out the innovative tech sector for torment,” fumes The…
Republicans want to protect conservative voices, but they may end up destroying them
Shoshana Weissmann & Jeffrey Westling
A simmering battle between Big Tech and President Trump came to a head earlier this month when the president issued an executive order aimed at curbing social media bias. The order came after the…
Event: Promoting Free Expression Online: What are the options?
Mike Godwin
A new Gallup/Knight poll finds that Americans want the internet to be an open forum for free expression—even as they grow increasingly concerned about the effects of some harmful content. As a…
Video: How Technology Is Fueling the Texas Recovery & Growing the Texas Economy
Josiah Neeley
From Connected Commercial Council:
The Connected Commerce Council was pleased to host The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), R Street Institute and the Texas Association of Business for a…
, DisCo
A Week of Section 230 Discussions
Mike Godwin
From DisCo:
2:00pm Promoting Free Expression Online: What are the options?
California officials target tech firms that drive our economy
Steven Greenhut
During a house-shopping visit to a small industrial city in Ohio where I had taken my first newspaper job, I asked a local, “What’s that smell?”
His answer: “What smell?”
Residents…
How to counter deepfakery in the eye of the digital deceiver
Jeffrey Westling
From Financial Times:
Our response must therefore be cyber-sociological: developing digital literacy and behavioural practices with the baseline premise that unverified media cannot be trusted….
Kennedy keeps pressure on FCC over 5G-spectrum payout
Jeffrey Westling
From National Journal:
“We’re really hoping that Kennedy doesn’t derail the whole process by holding these hearings, bringing the FCC’s general counsel in, trying to stall,” said Jeffrey…