TPA Calls on New Congress to Promote Internet Access and Security

For Immediate Release                                                 Contact: Abigail Graham: (202) 417-7235

November 9, 2022                                              

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) urges the 118^th Congress to use taxpayer money effectively and efficiently to help close the digital divide and ensure that both unserved and underserved communities are prioritized. 

TPA Director of Telecom Policy, Johnny Kampis, offered the following comment:

“Given the vast amount of taxpayer dollars that Congress has allocated toward broadband deployment across the country through such programs as the American Rescue Plan Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – to name but two of many – it is critical that federal agencies in charge of doling out the funds get this right. Congress should ensure that the money is targeted at truly unserved communities first and foremost, without prioritizing government entities and other nonprofits over private providers, and remain technologically neutral. It’s not the job of the government to displace the private sector.

“Additionally, Congress should work to extend the Federal Communications Commission’s spectrum auction authority, including passing legislation such as this Congress’s H.R. 7624, the Extending America’s Spectrum Auction Leadership Act of 2022.

“Freeing up unused spectrum is a key component of closing the digital divide and prevents the U.S. from falling behind other nations in both commercial activity and national security capabilities.

“Federal data privacy and security legislation is also badly needed as states like California and international entities such as the European Union begin to fracture the internet with their own onerous regulations. That said, we caution Congress against sweeping one-size-fits-all policies regarding privacy regulation. The data collection practices of companies using current technology are modern iterations of common business practices that allow them to market to targeted consumers.

“While some consumers may find this overly intrusive, these systems are largely voluntary and can provide enormous benefits. Other consumers enjoy the benefits they receive from the custom experience that helps them find relevant information online more easily, and oftentimes provides significant discounts. One person’s privacy is another’s inconvenience. Congress should reframe the discussion from privacy to one of promoting data and cyber security.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.