Tech Policy Podcast

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.

In Episode #4, we discuss FanDuel, DraftKings, and the somehow controversial world of fantasy sports. We examine the hodgepodge of local, state, and federal laws that govern online gambling, games of skill vs. game of chance, and what’s behind  all the controversy. Evan is joined by Chris Koopman, a research fellow at the Mercatus Center. For more information on the latest developments in fantasy sports, check out http://fantasysports.mercatus.org/.

In Episode 2, we discussed what President Obama SHOULD have said in his State of the Union Address—In Episode #3 we examine what he ACTUALLY said, and the implications. We discuss mandates to report “terrorist activities” online, net neutrality, “universal service” subsidies and taxes for telecommunications services, whether America is really in decline, innovation as reason for optimism, the technocratic mentality of the Apollo program, the stagnation thesis, and specific opportunities for bipartisan compromise.

What SHOULD President Obama say tonight in his final State of the Union address? And what is he likely to say instead? Berin Szoka offers TechFreedom’s take. He and Evan discuss encryption, the rise of tech policy in the presidential campaign, the good and bad news on surveillance reform, a coming clash with Europe over data flows, the first amendment, fourth amendment, and mass surveillance, making broadband deployment easier, the perils of regulating the Internet, and big data. Along the way, Berin casually compares Donald Trump to Vladimir Putin.

Who is TechFreedom? What do they do? Why should anyone care? In Tech Policy Podcast’s inaugural episode, host Evan Swarztrauber interviews President of TechFreedom, Berin Szoka. They discuss TechFreedom’s accomplishments, its history, and why TechFreedom is launching the only podcast focused on tech policy.