Washington D.C., September 25 – Today, NetChoice called on members of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transport Committee to resist imposing heavy-handed regulations on online platforms. The hearing, “Examining Safeguards for Consumer Data Privacy” will take place on Wednesday, September 24th. New polling from NetChoice and Zogby Analytics shows Americans have little appetite for heavy-handed government regulation of tech platforms.
“Congress should listen to Americans and resist the temptation to overregulate tech platforms,” said Steve DelBianco, President of NetChoice. “The vast majority (71%) of Americans prefer that advertising continues to pay for their free online services. Heavy-handed regulation could undermine the business models Americans want and would lead to fewer services and more paywalls.”
Polling shows 4 out of 5 Americans with an opinion think new regulations on internet services would harm choice and freedom online. Polling also showed that Americans are not locked-in to existing platforms. 43% have stopped using a social media platform at some point, but less than 1% did so because of a change in privacy policy.
“Don’t interrupt the online experiences and innovation that Americans enjoy,” continued DelBianco. “Americans have no appetite for heavy-handed government regulations, and Congress should listen to them.”
*About the Survey: From August 6-8, 2018 Zogby Analytics conducted an interactive survey of 1,222 adults focused on consumer attitudes toward Internet platforms and government regulation. The survey, commissioned by NetChoice, has a margin of error of +/- 2.8%. More information can be found at netchoice.org/TechLashPoll.
About NetChoice
NetChoice is a trade association of eCommerce businesses who share the goal of promoting convenience, choice, and commerce on the net.