Tech Policy Podcast

Ever since 1998, Congress has banned state and local governments from taxing Internet access. The Internet Tax Freedom Act has been renewed six times, and there is widespread bipartisan support for making it permanent. But that effort has hit a roadblock, as the bill is being held hostage by Senators who want to impose online sales taxes. Evan is joined by Katie McAuliffe, Executive Director of Digital Liberty. They discuss the Internet tax hostage crisis, the problems with online sales taxes, and what the FCC’s “net neutrality” rules have to do with broadband fees.

In this episode, space law! -- yes, it's a thing. Berin is joined by long-time space lawyer Jim Dunstan. They discuss the history of space law, the first opening pitch of a baseball game in space, and the future of NASA.

The hot topic at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show was connected devices: our cars, our refrigerators, and even our coffee makers having Internet connections. This presents a unique challenge to cybersecurity, as criminals and foreign governments will have even more ways to hack into our information. Evan is joined by Shane Tews, a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. They discuss the “Internet of Things,” the “year of the hack,” and what 2016 will mean for cybersecurity.

Uber, Lyft, and other sharing-economy companies are facing lawsuits all over the world, especially over the way they classify their workers. While the independent contractor model has driven much of their early success, it may not be the way of the future. Evan is joined by Jared Meyer, a research fellow at the Manhattan Institute. They discuss Lyft’s recent court settlement, a “third way” labor model, and ongoing efforts to unionize the sharing economy.

Companies have many ways of enticing and incentivizing customers, including through coupons. At the grocery store, this practice is uncontroversial. But in the digital world, zero-rating, sponsored data, and “Internet coupons” have caused an uproar, as critics say they violate net neutrality. Evan is joined by Roslyn Layton, a Ph.D fellow at Aalborg University in Copenhagen. They discuss the debate over zero-rating, its impact on the world, and the prospects for regulation.

You might think that a company giving stuff away for free would be a cause for everyone to celebrate. But that isn’t the case with TMobile’s new unlimited video offering, “Binge On.” Evan and Berin discuss whether Binge On passes the “net neutrality” test, how TMobile landed in hot water with activists, and how this case will impact the future of sponsored data plans.

Since Snowden’s revelations about US surveillance in 2013, not much has changed — at least, for Europeans. Europeans are rightly outraged. Late last year, Europe’s highest court struck down a key 2000 agreement that allows tech companies to send consumer data across the Atlantic. Evan and Berin discuss how American can avoid a digital trade war with Europe by better protecting the privacy of Europeans — starting with the Judicial Redress Act, which stalled in the Senate yesterday.

Uber is at war with regulators all over the country, especially in New York City. Evan is joined by Jared Meyer, a research fellow at the Manhattan Institute. They discuss Uber's spat with NYC mayor Bill de Blasio, how ridesharing relates to progressive values, and the changing nature of work.

What did the Democratic candidates have to say about tech policy in the most recent debate? Not much, but that didn’t stop us from giving some cheers and jeers! Evan and Berin discuss O’Malley’s defense of privacy, Bernie’s jab at tech companies for data collection, and Hillary’s common ground with Jeb! on encryption.

Last night’s debate featured a major rift between Sens. Marco Rubio (FL) and Ted Cruz (TX) on the issue of government snooping on Americans. Evan and Berin discuss the Edward Snowden leaks, the election flare-up on surveillance, Jeb!’s chances of convincing Apple to break encryption, and the balance between cyber- and national security.