Technology has become a necessity in our personal and work lives. As such, Congress is correct to look at appropriate regulations for the technology sector that promote competition and protect consumers. However, regulation must be done right and can be done without sacrificing access to the critical applications and platforms that upon which so many American businesses rely. Unfortunately, two of the bills currently being considered by Congress as part of a the Big Tech regulation package miss the mark.
These two bills, American Innovation and Choice Online Act (HR 3816) and Ending Platform Monopolies Act (HR 3825) would make major changes to tech platforms and prevent them from offering popular services that people today receive for free or low cost while also restricting their ability to provide information and opportunity tools within their services. Should these bills pass, the impacts would be far reaching. Free shipping with Amazon Prime could disappear and apps like Google Maps, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, iMessage, and FaceTime will be harder, and very likely more expensive, to access. These are not the changes for which Americans are calling. Congress must find a way to take regulatory steps forward without burdening the very consumers they are working to protect. HR 3816 and HR 3825 were rushed through committee without a single hearing. That’s not the way things should be done. I encourage Congress to set these bills aside and focus its energy on smart regulation that truly protects consumers.
Joey Lincoln
Concord