Author: cmackenzie

On Friday, Chamber of Progress announced the launch of a new campaign to stop New York’s digital media bills (S7694 and A8148) – legislation that could end up harming at-risk teens and invading their privacy.  New York’s digital media bills as written are also likely to face the same constitutional challenges that have halted similar… Continue reading New York’s Digital Bills Threaten Minors Online

On Thursday, President Biden gave his State of the Union address, using his speech to highlight historic investments in broadband internet access and passage of the CHIPS and Science Act. The President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law designated $65 billion to improve high-speed Internet access for people across America. The Chips and Science Act made a $53… Continue reading At SOTU Biden Touts Record of Tech Investments

In advance of Friday’s hearing in the Maryland House Environment & Transportation Committee on a proposed statewide delivery tax (HB 1215), Chamber of Progress is releasing new polling showing strong public opposition to the measure.   The survey – interviewing 769 Maryland voters over February 23-24, by Public Policy Polling – found that two-thirds of Maryland… Continue reading New Maryland Polling Shows Opposition to Proposed Delivery Tax

After the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in NetChoice v. Paxton and Moody v. NetChoice, join a briefing with experts in internet law from Chamber of Progress, the ACLU, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation. The press conference, scheduled for 1:30PM ET on Monday, February 26, will provide early analysis of… Continue reading Post-SCOTUS Hearing: Civil Rights, Tech Groups Share Analysis

On Thursday, Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released new legislative text for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) as well as a list of additional sponsors. The latest changes fail to address two primary concerns with the legislation, including its empowerment of far-right attorneys general to censor online resources, and warnings that… Continue reading New KOSA Bill Text Fails to Address Problems

Maryland lawmakers have introduced delivery tax legislation – HB 1215, by Del. Marc Korman – that would add 50¢ to the cost of every online grocery, retail, and takeout order. The proposed delivery tax is regressive, meaning its impact would fall disproportionately on low-income families, especially Marylanders who live in food deserts or who rely… Continue reading Proposed Delivery Tax Hits Maryland Consumers and Businesses

As Maryland lawmakers prepare today for a hearing on social media legislation, a coalition of LGBTQ+ and tech organizations are pushing back on their proposed bill. In a letter sent this week, the coalition urges Maryland legislators to consider how SB 571 / HB 603 would isolate and censor marginalized youth, including members of the… Continue reading LGBTQ and Tech Groups Push Back on MD Social Media Bill

On Thursday, Sen. Scott Weiner introduced artificial intelligence legislation (SB 1047) that would create a new division within the Department of Technology to certify AI models before they can be trained. Under the legislation, certification requirements would apply to AI models that exceed the performance benchmarks set by other AI models subject to certification. The… Continue reading New Calif. Bill Requires AI Licensing

On Tuesday, Sens. Josh Hawley and Dick Durbin pushed for fast-tracked passage of the STOP CSAM Act, legislation that would enable individuals to sue online platforms for hosting CSAM content. The legislation, which has faced opposition from a range of civil liberties organizations for its impacts on marginalized youth, was blocked by Sen. Ron Wyden.… Continue reading STOP CSAM Bill Fails in Senate Fast-Track Attempt