The i2Coalition Public Policy Working Group is responsible for determining the specific responses for the i2Coalition in regards to global policy issues that are important to the Internet’s infrastructure. Recent achievements center around Net Neutrality and surveillance reform, achieved through engagement with the FCC and in support of the USA FREEDOM Act in the U.S., respectively. The Working Group is currently focusing attention on a number of important issues including patent troll reform.
The i2Coalition engages in policy matters in accordance with its General Mission Statement and meets regularly to discuss issues that arise that fall within our scope. Policy Group members take an active role in reviewing policy and writing briefs on behalf of i2Coalition that support the industry’s goals. The i2Coalition believes that an open and free Internet drives economic growth and enhances the lives of people around the globe. As an organization, we promote policies that foster continued development and expansion of the Internet.
Recent Public Policy Working Group projects include:
- We participate in the Digital Due Process Coalition (DDP) and delivered key Congressional sponsorships in a collective fight to reform the Electronics Communications Privacy Act (ECPA).
- We provided comments on the importance of an open Internet to maintain the continued growth of the cloud to the FCC in response to its Net Neutrality proposal.
- We led an aggressive advocacy campaign in five key cities to reform the patent system and to curb the patent troll litigation issues that devastate our industry.
- We were leaders in a coalition that helped drive core support for the USA FREEDOM Act, the largest reduction of U.S. surveillance authority in a generation, which passed in early 2015.
- We actively speak out against the expansion of Internet surveillance worldwide, including being a voice against Bill C-51 in Canada.
- We actively engage in the debate on the role of encryption in the digital economy.
- We submitted an amicus brief in the important Microsoft Ireland email privacy case.
- We’ve taken an important role in educating U.S. lawmakers on the IANA transition as part of our focus on the DOTCOM Act.
- We provided strategic counsel and comments on the proposed NIST cybersecurity framework.
Recent Updates On US Policy
ICYMI: i2Coalition to Host Education Day on Capitol Hill this Week
This week, the i2Coalition will be hosting Internet Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress about how the Internet works. On February 26, we’re pleased to be co-hosting with Engine Advocacy the “Celebrate the Innovation Economy” reception that is sponsored by CEA. More details are available on our website. Our industry is uniquely qualified […]
ECPA Reform: Taking it to the States
The i2Coalition believes that the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) must be reformed to better reflect the evolution of the Internet. Since ECPA was originally enacted in 1986, technology has made significant advancements, yet the statute remains largely unchanged. The most pressing need is to enact a warrant requirement for government searches of electronic communications, which would protect […]
President Obama’s Strong Words on Patent Trolls Must Be Followed by Action
It’s hard to say it any better than President Obama did when he spoke of patent trolls in a Google Hangout yesterday: “They don’t actually produce anything themselves. They’re trying to essentially leverage and hijack someone else’s idea and see if they can extort some money out of them.” In America’s high-tech sector, we all […]
Cybersecurity Must Respect Internet Freedom and Innovation
The President and Congress have highlighted the importance of cybersecurity. In the coming weeks and months, we expect to see legislative and regulatory activity in this area, including President Obama’s executive order and the reintroduction of CISPA. While the i2Coalition shares this concern for security of America’s vital infrastructure, there’s a right way and a […]