If Democrats control the Senate they have no excuse: restore net neutrality, ban facial recognition, protect Section 230, end Big Tech data harvesting, and defend online human rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 6, 2021
Contact: (508) 474-5248, press@fightforthefuture.org

Historic turnout, especially from young Black voters, in the Georgia runoff election appears to have flipped control of the Senate. Now that Democrats will likely control the House, Senate, and the White House, the party has no excuse but to act aggressively to reverse the damage done by the Trump administration’s policies and enact legislation to protect Internet freedom, human rights, privacy, and democracy.

Fiercely nonpartisan digital rights group Fight for the Future issued the following statement, which can be attributed to director Evan Greer (she/her): 

“Democrats have no excuse. They need to get to work right away protecting people’s basic rights in the digital age. This means quickly confirming a new chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) who will restore net neutrality and ensure everyone has affordable Internet access in the midst of a pandemic. It means finally passing strong Federal privacy legislation that outlaws the data harvesting and surveillance capitalist practices of Big Tech companies. It means putting a stop to dangerous attacks on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and standing up for online freedom of expression and human rights. It means passing legislation to ban facial recognition, and putting a stop to racist police surveillance partnerships with companies like Amazon Ring. It means fixing copyright legislation like the DMCA to ensure that Internet users’ and online creators are protected from abuse and censorship. It means ending the mass government surveillance programs enabled by the PATRIOT ACT. It means taking a thoughtful approach to decentralized technology and cryptocurrencies and reversing the Trump administration’s attempts to expand financial surveillance.

The Internet has changed the rules for what is and isn’t possible in Washington, DC. It gives us a powerful tool to expose corruption and hold our elected officials accountable. Now is not the time for partisan bickering and half measures. It’s time to get shit done. No matter which party is in power, we will fight every day to demand real policies that ensure technology is a force for empowerment and liberation rather than a force for exploitation and oppression.”

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