Tech Policy Podcast

What exactly is the “sharing economy?” Regulatory battles with Uber and Airbnb make for flashy headlines, but how much do we know about the sharing economy as a whole? Is the term even accurate? Should we be calling it the “gig economy” instead? Evan is joined by Will Rinehart, Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at American Action Forum. They discuss the history of the gig economy, whether it’s really “on the rise,” and what makes Uber and Airbnb different from Etsy and Ebay.

As cities like Chattanooga, TN and Wilson, NC look to expand government-owned broadband networks (GONs) beyond their borders, they’re running into state laws that authorize, but restrict, GONs. How much control should states have over these networks? The FCC says it can overturn specific provisions of state broadband laws under its Section 706 authority to “promote broadband deployment.” But does the FCC actually have this power? Is the agency trampling on states’ rights? That’s what the Sixth Circuit will decide as North Carolina and Tennessee do battle with the FCC in Cincinnati. Evan and Berin discuss the case and what it means for GONs nationwide. Should government even be in the broadband business? Berin briefly (no, really) summarizes the case on the Tech Policy Corner, and provides a full legal writeup, too.

In the future, what will the Internet look like? One playwright imagines The NETHER: a network of virtual reality realms that allow users to log in and indulge in their deepest, darkest desires. These immersive, sensory experiences include behavior that, in the real world, is almost universally regarded as repugnant and illegal. Could virtual reality create an outlet for people to blow off steam? Or will anonymous, virtual behavior only encourage users to engage in the real thing? Evan is joined by Jennifer Haley, playwright for The NETHER. They discuss the play and the tough questions it poses to viewers and tech policymakers.The show’s DC premiere is April 4th. You can buy tickets here.

Backpage, the second largest classified ads website after Craigslist, has been embroiled in controversy and legal battles over allegations that its “adult” section facilitates sex trafficking and prostitution. Just yesterday, the Senate voted unanimously to hold Backpage in contempt for not cooperating with a committee’s months-long investigation into sex trafficking. Evan is joined by Randal Meyer, a legal associate at the Cato Institute, which filed a brief in Backpage.com v. Dart. They discuss Backpage’s legal woes and the Internet’s impact on sex trafficking. Can Backpage actually be a friend to law enforcement — not an enemy?

Ever notice those fees on your cell phone or landline telephone bill? The FCC collects them to fund programs like Lifeline, which subsidizes communications service for those can’t afford it. But is Lifeline effective? Critics have long argued that the program is fraught with waste, fraud, and abuse. A government report suggested that the vast majority who receive subsidies don’t need them. Evan is joined by Will Rinehart, Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at American Action Forum. They discuss the past, present, and future of Lifeline. Should the FCC expand Lifeline to subsidize broadband Internet access? Are the FCC’s reforms enough to fix the program?

Do toy drones endanger the national airspace? The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seems to think so. Right before Christmas, the FAA rushed through rules requiring basically every kid who got a drone from Santa to register with the agency for $5. Will a government database of drone users actually make us safer? Is the agency just buying time to figure out what to do about drones? Evan is joined by Eli Dourado, Director of Technology Policy at the Mercatus Center, a research center based at George Mason University. They discuss drone safety and the FAA’s approach. Is there really much of a difference between small drones and birds? See Eli’s study here.

The FCC is set to issue new regulations on how Internet access providers collect and use consumer data. On Thursday, March 11, the agency released a fact sheet indicating that it will require broadband companies to get consent from their customers for certain advertising and data practices. The Internet wasn’t invented yesterday, so why is the agency doing this now?  Evan and Berin discuss the FCC’s fact sheet and what it means for privacy and competition. Will the new regulations really be better for consumers? Will they hold up in court?

If 2015 was the “year of the hack,” what will 2016 mean for cybersecurity? Will Congress’s hastily-passed cyber bill (CISA) do anything to stop the onslaught of hacking? Evan is joined by Morgan Wright, a cybersecurity expert. They discuss the state of the “War on Hacking” and whether private and public sector efforts to combat cyber attacks will be effective. See more of Morgan’s work on his website.

Consumers have never had more ways to watch video, but traditional cable and satellite subscriptions still require set-top boxes, which typically cost 15-20 dollars a month to rent. The FCC is looking to disrupt this market by forcing cable, telephone, and satellite companies to make their equipment interoperable with third-party set-top boxes made by other companies. It sounds good in theory, but will it actually help consumers? And is this move only prolonging the inevitable death of the cable box? Evan is joined by Moriah Mensah, a recent graduate of Howard University School of Law. They discuss the FCC’s proposal and what it will mean for consumers.

When it comes to the sharing economy, most of the focus is on companies like Uber, Lyft and Airbnb. But skilled professionals like handymen, mechanics, and personal trainers are taking advantage of online platforms like Thumbtack to find customers. Evan is joined by Jared Meyer, a research fellow at the Manhattan Institute. They discuss Thumbtack’s new report, released today, about skilled workers in the sharing economy. Should skilled labor be treated differently by regulators than “gig” platforms like Uber?