Witness John Miller, senior VP of policy and general counsel for the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), told Congress Tuesday (June 14) that it was on the right track, sort of, with the bipartisan federal privacy bill's definition of "targeted advertising" but it would "prevent the ad-supported internet business model from continuing."

ITI members include Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta (formerly Facebook), and Twitter, to name only a few.

The American Data Privacy and Protection Act would allow users to opt out of that "targeted advertising" when surfing the web, whose free content has been supported by such ads.

Miller said everyone agrees privacy legislation is needed -- one reason is so that states do not come up with their own patchwork of privacy laws, a model Miller called "unsustainable."

Also: IAB Tech Lab Launches GPP Global Ad Privacy Permissions Standard

But Miller did point to state laws in Virginia, Colorado and Utah for their definitions of targeted advertising, saying the draft would be better if it more closely followed those states, which he said "struck the right balance to enable internet companies to reasonably advertise to their users on their sites while protecting their privacy interests.”

While Miller said the draft bill deserves thoughtful consideration and is "the most credible bipartisan and bicameral effort yet to advance comprehensive federal privacy legislation in the United States," ITI has a lot of issues with it.

In addition to the definition of targeted advertising, ITI said the definition of "sensitive covered data" is overly broad. The definition of what qualifies as sensitive info deserving of special protection has been one of the major sticking points of past attempts to achieve bipartisan consensus on a way forward.

ITI also said the bill does not distinguish sufficiently between the different entities that use data or their obligations regarding its privacy.

Edge providers also have an issue with the bill's private right of action, which allows users to sue for violations of data privacy. ITI said that given the "already strong" enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department provisions in the draft, "it is reasonable to ask whether including a Private Right of Action is necessary to ensure robust enforcement."

While the private right of action has been narrowed, ITI said it is still too broad and will likely lead to a "wave of litigation."

Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) suggested in his opening statement that Big Tech was essentially the problem that needed fixing.

"Comprehensive, national privacy legislation is necessary to limit the excesses of Big Tech and ensure Americans can safely navigate the digital world," Pallone said. "There is simply no real “choice” when consumers must trade their personal data to use essential services. People cannot navigate the modern world without their smartphone or email address. And with the minimal protections that apply today, most Americans have little reason to think their data won’t be used in unanticipated ways."

Since 2019, ITI has been arguing it is part of the solution, offering up what it says is a legislative roadmap for a federal privacy law. ■

INCOMPAS, whose members include Netflix, Google, and Amazon, said South Korea's proposed mandated network use fees are targeted to U.S. streamers and would create barriers to both consumer choice and content provider market access.

That is according to a new report from INCOMPAS in conjunction with the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) on the interconnection fees South Korea is considering requiring Netflix and other streamers to pay ISPs there.

Netflix last year sued SK Broadband over exacting such a fee but lost in a Korean court.

Also: INCOMPAS Tells FCC That Interconnections Need Government Minding

Now the South Korean government is considering making such "network use" fees obligatory for larger players, like Netflix.

"The latest legislative proposals would set a dangerous precedent by imposing disruptive and unwarranted taxes on the delivery of online content, which would ultimately raise costs for end users and CPs [content providers], and disincentivize the innovation that has underpinned the growth and socio-economic benefits of the internet-driven economy in Korea and around the globe," the report said.

INCOMPAS said streamers already represent a key part of the online value chain and that such fees would give ISPs "disproportionate and unjustified leverage to extract payments" from content providers. It said the proposed fees ignore the fact that content providers invest heavily on infrastructure -- cables, data centers, caches -- that reduce the traffic "burden" on ISPs.

"End users pay ISPs for an internet connection with the expectation that it will allow them to reach all legal content available on the internet, without discrimination based on whether CPs have paid 'network use fees' or not," the report said. "CPs do not 'push' traffic at ISP customers. Rather, the end users request that content enabled by CPs be delivered to them by their ISP. Similarly, CPs also do not 'use' ISPs' last-mile broadband networks; end users do, and they pay for that network usage. Mandating 'network use fees' would therefore lead to ISPs double charging by assessing CPs for services for which end users have already paid."

The report alleges a mandatory fee would incentivize ISPs to allow traffic congestion or even purposely limit performance.

It would also be a double tax, said the report: "End users pay ISPs for an internet connection with the expectation that it will allow them to reach all legal content available on the internet, without discrimination based on whether CPs have paid 'network use fees' or not. ... Mandating 'network use fees' would therefore lead to ISPs double charging by assessing CPs for services for which end users have already paid." 

Technology industry groups are warning the Federal Communications Commission to exercise regulatory caution when changing its device authorization process in the name of network security.

Also Read: Secure Networks Act Passes Senate

In a notice of inquiry (NOI) and notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the FCC is contemplating changes to its equipment authorizations for phones, computers and other devices that tap into FCC-regulated spectrum in its ongoing effort to better protect the network supply chain from national security threats.

Eight industry groups signed onto two letters to the commission targeting the NOI and NPRM. They included the Consumer Technology Association, CTIA–The Wireless Association, USTelecom and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).

While the signatories all said they supported protecting the supply chain against “foreign adversaries and nation-states,” the trade groups said the FCC effort raises a number of legal and implementation questions. It also raises the specter of unintended consequences the FCC should consider carefully before taking any action, the groups said.

The groups are particularly concerned about the FCC’s revocation of existing authorizations for equipment that may be in consumers’ homes or offices, or incorporated into other equipment.

“Devices sold at retail may be difficult or impossible to locate, and if a device has been incorporated into other equipment a replacement may require new engineering, testing, validation and manufacture,” the letter said. 

The technology groups also have issues with the proposed criteria for evaluating suspect devices according to their country of origin, rather than the technology used. Historically the FCC’s authorizations have been based on technology and not, for example, whether a device came from China. The groups said the FCC's legal authority to conduct this new type of review is unclear.

Big Tech companies are hoping that President Biden's executive order attempting to reunite families separated at the border is a prelude to other actions to reverse a Trump immigration/guest worker policy they have argued hurts their industry.

Back in June 2020, then-President Trump suspended the H-1B visas for skilled workers, under the theory that with so many Americans out of work during the pandemic, the country should not be allowing foreign workers into that job pool, a decision that did not sit well with tech companies.

Also Read: White House DACA Restrictions Draw Boos from Big Tech

In a statement on Biden's reunification executive order Tuesday (Feb. 2), tech association ITI urged President Biden to continue the trend of reversing Trump visa policies by reinstating the visas.

"To further bolster the U.S. economic recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that President Biden rescind the current suspension of high-skilled immigration," said ITI President Jason Oxman. "Our industry is committed to working with policymakers in the administration and in U.S. Congress to advance a modern, competitive immigration system.”

The H-1B visa is for temporary residence—three to six years—for those in a specialty occupation requiring higher education or equivalent experience.

Tech association ITI is urging that all votes be counted in the hotly contested 2020 election.

"Tuesday’s election continues a two-century-old tradition of the United States’ democratic process allowing Americans to choose their leaders," said ITI President Jason Oxman.

President Trump's campaign has tried to stop vote-counting in some states while Biden has urged patience and for all votes to be counted.

"The historic voter turnout reflects the widespread civic engagement efforts that took place across the country, encouraging millions of Americans to exercise their right to vote," he said. "As the votes are counted, we continue to urge all Americans to support America’s long-standing and important tradition of peaceful and fair elections."

ITI said it was ready to work with whichever Administration emerges on tech issues, but it has been critical of President Trump over the President's pushback on some diversity training, its restrictions on immigration, his executive order on regulating social media, and tarriffs.

Tech companies are not happy with President Donald Trump's executive order (EO) prohibiting government contractors, which obviously include many tech companies, from providing diversity training that "suggests America has a racial inequality problem."

In a blog post, Jason Oxman, president of ITI (the Information Technology Industry Council) said the tech industry ITI represents was "deeply concerned" with the order and the message it sends about systemic racism. 

"Fostering inclusion for individuals from historically marginalized communities is one of the core values of ITI and the greater tech industry," Oxman said. "We know our industry has a long way to go in terms of addressing the harms of systemic racism. However, at a time when Americans are seeking racial justice more than ever, this EO instead attacks our broadly shared values and risks undoing real progress toward building racial equity in the tech industry and America writ large."

He also said the order was an "unprecedented overreach" of the government into the values of privacy businesses. "ITI sees this EO as an affront to our industry’s core values, an attack on free enterprise and, most importantly, an unacceptable step backward for racial equity," he said. 

In an executive order issued Sept. 22, the President called it a "pernicious and false belief" that the country is "an irredeemably racist and sexist country," and that "some people, simply on account of their race or sex, are oppressors." The order requires clauses in government contracts preventing diversity training that includes that belief.

The President called that concept of systemic oppression a destructive ideology and a misrepresentation of history rooted in the "discredited notions of the nineteenth century's apologists for slavery..."

The executive order said that ideology is "migrating from the fringes of American society and threatens to infect core institutions of our country." He cited a Department of Treasury seminar that he said promoted the argument that "virtually all White people, regardless of how 'woke' they are, contribute to racism," and that instructed small group leaders to encourage employees to avoid 'narratives' that Americans should 'be more color-blind' or 'let people's skills and personalities be what differentiates them.'"

It also references a Smithsonian Institution museum graphic that claimed "objective, rational linear thinking, 'hard work' being 'the key to success,' the 'nuclear family,' and belief in a single god are not values that unite Americans of all races but are instead 'aspects and assumptions of whiteness.'"

The executive order signaled the President saw that as coercion toward viewpoint uniformity and must itself be rooted out. As a result, the order said, no government dollars can go to contractors whose "workplace training" includes that "the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist" and "an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously" and "an individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex; (8) any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex; or (9) meritocracy or traits such as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist, or were created by a particular race to oppress another race."

It also said the Armed Forces shall not teach these concepts or punish any member of those forces that rejects such concepts.

Tech company government contractors said they may not all be able to comply immediately with a new prohibition on suspect tech. 

The interim rule implementing the National Defense Authorization Act ban on the use of tech from Huawei and ZTE (as well as surveillance tech from three other companies, Hytera, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., and Dahua Technology Co.), went into effect for government contractors Thursday (Aug. 13). 

Due to their alleged connections to the Chinese government, those companies' tech in U.S. networks was deemed a national security risk. 

Related: Chinese Telecoms Unwelcome in Government Contracts 

In response to the rule's trigger, ITI, the Information Technology Industry Council, which represents hardware and networking equipment manufacturers and software developers, said Thursday that its members "wholeheartedly" support the goal of protecting the federal tech supply chain from potentially compromised equipment. "However, because of the extended time it took to roll out rules for these far-reaching requirements, contractors may not be able to consistently meet the law’s objectives," warned Gordon Bitko, SVP for public sector policy." 

ITI said it would continue to provide "input" on the rule while working with federal agencies to to both secure networks and "minimize unintended negative commercial impacts." 

Because of the national security issues and the Aug. 13 congressional deadline, the rule was implemented without public comment and the normal OMB review under the Paperwork Reduction Act, but there will still be an opportunity to comment, the Administration said, which is why it is an interim rule, not the final one.  

Related: Huawei President Pushes Back

The interim rule revises the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and "prohibits agencies from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing a contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as a critical technology as part of any system, on or after Aug. 13, 2019."  

Related: Reports Have White House Implementing Tech-Blocking Provision

There is an opportunity for a one-time waiver for up to a year, determined on a case-by-case basis, as well as for the Director of National Intelligence to issue waivers, though that is one of the agencies that has said Chinese telecoms pose a national security threat due to the influence of the Chinese government.    

The rule will apply to contracts that usually do not trigger the rule because they are relatively small purchases, and to contracts for off-the-shelf purchases. The Administration has concluded that there is an unacceptable level of risk that is not mitigated by the size of the purchase or the fact that the equipment and/or service "has been sold or offered for sale to the general public, either in the same form or a modified form."  

Tech groups want to make sure Congress prioritizes money for government-related cybersecurity in any future COVID-19 aid package.

That came in a letter to congressional leadership from the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Alliance for Digital Innovation (ADI), BSA | The Software Alliance, the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the Center for Procurement Advocacy, Internet Association (IA), and the Cybersecurity Coalition.

Related: All the Latest Industry News on Covid-19

They said CTO have been doing "admirably" with what they have, but also say more cybersecurity money is needed at all levels of government.

They argue that "the prevalence of outdated legacy IT continues to hamper the effectiveness of [pandemic] recovery efforts. Citizens are being denied positive digital government experiences as they seek access to much needed programs, such as securing business loan programs, receiving economic security payments, or applying for unemployment benefits.”

Back in April, the groups said that to combat the COVID-19 pandemic the government needs to invest in IT upgrades across the board and at a level commensurate with the challenge of socially distanced living.

This week's letter outlines some cybersecurity upgrade main points:

1. "Support the Technology Modernization Fund at a level that would allow for meaningful investment in cross-agency IT modernization initiatives. To expedite the resourcefulness of such funds, existing requirements directing agencies to payback TMF funds should be relaxed when such funds are tied to pandemic or disaster recovery efforts;"

2. "Provide direct funding to federal agencies to modernize and secure IT systems beneficial to COVID-19 and future emergency responses. Such funding should be made available for expenditure over multiple years, but does not necessarily need to flow through agency working capital funds;

3. "Establish and fund a mechanism that provides federal financial support to state and local government agencies in need of IT modernization and upgrades to foster better recovery efforts. Such investments should focus on interoperability between programs that rely on federal, state, and local IT systems, where applicable. Language providing additional resources to the Coronavirus Relief Fund for IT improvements is an avenue Congress should explore;

4. "Provide necessary legislative authority for agencies to establish IT working capital funds with strong governance and reporting requirements to enable both Congress and the Executive Branch to more effectively budget for and finance significant IT modernization initiatives;

5. "Provide increased funding to the CDM program so that DHS can promptly and completely fulfill all requests for service and ensure robust threat detection and mitigation against increased adversarial attacks at all Federal agencies;

6. "Support funding to improve the Federal Risk Authorization and Management Program (FedRAMP) cloud technology security program by automating the security authorization process to increase government access to secure commercial cloud service and technology providers; and

7. "Establish a dedicated cybersecurity grant program for SLTT governments to enable greater resiliency and enhanced security of critical technology systems and networks; and

8. "Ensure that IT modernization efforts include focused attention and investment in commercial technologies that strengthen cybersecurity, empower effective workforce training, and ensure robust digital transformation."  

Tech groups and others wanting to keep highly skilled workers in country were celebrating the Supreme Court's decision Thursday (June 18) throwing a wrench into the Trump Administration's effort to end the DACA program.  Univision and Verizon also weighed in as well.

The Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was an Obama-era executive order that prevented the deportation of undocumented immigrant children--the so-called "Dreamers." It was later extended to parents of citizens.

“Dreamers are Americans in every way but on paper and want to continue to contribute their talent and entrepreneurial spirit to advance the U.S. economy,” said Jason Oxman, president of tech association ITI. “These young men and women are our friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Today’s decision by the U.S. Supreme Court gives much-needed certainty for these Americans, their families, and businesses. We urge the U.S. Congress to act now and advance a permanent legislative solution to ensure these Americans can continue to contribute to our communities and the U.S. economy.” 

Consumer Technology Association president Gary Shapiro agrees more needs to be done. "Today’s decision was a step in the right direction, but U.S. immigration law should be modernized," he said. "CTA will continue to work with Congress to pass bipartisan immigration legislation that strengthens our nation by welcoming those who wish to ensure America is the most prosperous, economically competitive and innovative country in the world.”  

TechNet president Linda Moore also applauded the decision, saying it would allow 650,000 DACA recipients to stay in the country. "Our nation depends on talented professionals like DACA recipients who bring needed skills, innovation, and creative energy to a variety of endeavors. The facts regarding Dreamers are undeniable: more than 70 percent are pursuing or have pursued a bachelors' degree; more than 90 percent of DACA recipients are currently working, with more than 70 percent of those individuals on the payrolls of Fortune 500 companies," she said. 

“Univision strongly commends the Supreme Court for embracing our Dreamers and rejecting the Administration’s attempt to eliminate the Deferred Action for Child Arrivals (DACA) program," said the company. "From the beginning, Univision together with our community partners, has strongly opposed efforts to eliminate the DACA program by the Administration. Fighting for those in our country under DACA was always the right thing to do for many reasons. DACA recipients have contributed in meaningful ways to our country and helped improve our communities and raise the bar for all of us.

"DACA recipients are on the front lines as essential workers during this pandemic. They are class valedictorians. They are working professionals. They are innovators. They drive our business community, political space and the cultural milieu. They revere our nation and want to continue contributing to it each and every day. Univision is proud to stand up for DACA recipients because our country was founded by people just like these young men and women who believed that your work, education and innovation, not your national origin, is what make you uniquely American.” 

“Verizon has long stood with Dreamers and we are proud to celebrate today’s ruling with Dreamers around the nation," said Verizion SVP Kathy Grillo.  

"Dreamers belong here. They are crucial contributors who strengthen our communities and our nation. Dreamers are our colleagues, our friends, and our family. 

"Verizon applauds today’s ruling and we call on our nation’s leaders to find a permanent solution to protect Dreamers.” 

Tech trade group ITI has issued 5G principles for policymakers around the globe and they boil down to allowing tech companies to do what they do best, "manufacturing the components and equipment that will power 5G networks and developing the applications and services that will run on top of 5G networks."  

For policymakers, that means light-touch, and primarily self-, regulation, clearing away impediments to buildouts, freeing up more spectrum, and supporting consensus, voluntary, standards. 

The map dovetails with the current FCC's focus on clearing away impediments to 5G buildouts and the technology's potentially game-changing use for closing the rural digital divide, including telemedicine and remote learning, and powering the Internet of Things. 

ITI said sound government policy is essential in four key areas: innovation and investment, deployment, access to spectrum, and security/standards. 

“Informed by our member companies’ expertise, ITI’s 5G Policy Principles can serve as a road map for policymakers as they develop measures to advance this critical technology globally," said ITI president Jason Oxman.

Global tech trade association ITI has commended the Supreme Court for its landmark gay and transgender civil rights decision.  

That was among the many reactions from tech, communications and policy circles to the news.

“An inclusive and diverse workplace makes our communities and our companies stronger,” said ITI President Jason Oxman. “This historic decision ensures that employees across the United States are protected by law from discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace. Our industry stands with our LGBTQ employees and partners to celebrate this significant milestone and continue the ongoing fight for equality, including urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Equality Act. 

The High Court, in a 6-3 decision, has held that the 1964 Civil Rights Act prevents discrimination by an employer on the basis of sexual orientation, a huge victory for the civil rights of the LGBTQ community. 

The court reversed an 11th Circuit Court decision that an employer could fire someone for "simply being homosexual or transgender." 

Conservatives joining the liberals in overturning the 11th Circuit were Justice Neil Gorsuch, who penned the decision, and Chief Justice John Roberts.  

Dissenting from the decision were Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, who joined in a dissent written by Alito, and Brett Kavanaugh, who wrote his own dissent.  

Also weighing in from Washington was FCC Commissioner Jessica Roswenworcel, who tweeted:

[embed]https://twitter.com/JRosenworcel/status/1272561124127449088[/embed]

Verizon said in a statement: "Today’s historic ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for Verizon employees and millions of American workers. We fully support equality for LGBTQ+ individuals and have long advocated for these issues."

Earlier this month, Verizon was named one of the best places to work in terms of LGBTQ equality by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“With this landmark court ruling the Supreme Court has recognized that discrimination against LGBTQ employees is not permissible under federal civil rights law," said Comcast CEO Brian Roberts. "We stand with the Human Rights Campaign and the hundreds of other companies that filed in support of LGBTQ inclusion and non-discrimination. This ruling is an important step towards equal treatment for the LGBTQ community and their families.”

“We are a proud ally of the LGBTQ+ community and have long supported efforts to ensure employees feel safe, valued and heard," said AT&T senior VP and chief diversity officer Corey Anthony. "Since 1975, we have implemented polices prohibiting discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation. AT&T also joined many companies in filing an amicus brief last summer in support of this outcome. We agree with today’s U.S. Supreme Court’s decision and look forward to continuing to champion an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse background of our employees and society.”

"Diversity is our national special sauce which fosters innovation," said Consumer Technology Association President Gary Shapiro. "Today's historic Supreme Court ruling protecting LGBTQ+ people is a landmark victory for freedom and diversity, which will continue to propel our country's entrepreneurial spirit forward. Our nation was created to be, and continues to serve as, a beacon for freedom, liberty and equal opportunity, and today's ruling ensures that we continue to be a country where anyone can invent, create and do business. This decision upholds these values and helps ensure all Americans can be their best selves."

Tech companies and trade associations--more than 30 of them--have issued recommendations to the G20 governments as they meet to talk about digital tech and economic growth. 

The recommendations are focused on COVID-19 response, the free flow of data, universal broadband and more. 

"Together with industry, the G20 should continue to encourage the open markets and accelerated technology adoption that will drive groundbreaking innovations and creative solutions, including those that directly contribute to the economic and public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic," the groups said. 

One of the key recommendations is strengthening broadband infrastructure, one of the big takeaways from the stay-at-home pandemic, where work, healthcare and education have been conducted remotely. That includes both ensuring networks are resilient, as well as "the connectivity required to enable benefits of technology to reach all citizens..."  

Others include facilitating cross-border data flows and "maintain" strong privacy protections (some critics of Big Tech argue the verb should be "institute"). 

Signing on to the letter were: Information Technology Industry Council (ITI); ACT | The App Association; Asia Internet Coalition (AIC); Australian Information Industry Association (AIIA); Australian Services Roundtable (ASR); Brazilian Association of Information Technology and Communication Technology Companies (BRASSCOM); Canadian Chamber of Commerce; Coalition of Services Industries (CSI); Communications and Information Network Association of Japan (CIAJ); Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA); Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA); DIGITALEUROPE; Engine; European Data Centre Associations (EUDCA); Fiber Broadband Association; Fiber Optic Sensing Association; Information Technology and Communications Chamber of Argentina (CICOMRA); Internet Association (IA); Internet Infrastructure Coalition; Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE); Japan Business Machine and Information System Industries Association (JBMIA); Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA); Japan Information Technology Services Industry Association (JISA); Japan Machinery Center for Trade and Investment (JMC); Mexican Chamber of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technologies (CANIETI); National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC); TECHNATION; techUK; Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); United States-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF); United States Chamber of Commerce; and United States Council for International Business (USCIB).

Companies and their trade associations are increasingly weighing in on the protests blanketing the country in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody.

"We stand in support of the African American community--our employees, on-air talent, colleagues, artists, writers, storytellers, producers and, most importantly, our audience, are all allies in requesting the fair and humane treatment of people of color and the rejection of any and all forms of racism and social injustice," said the Spanish Broadcasting System in a statement Monday (June 1).

Jason Oxman, president of tech association ITI, said his industry is committed to listening to all stakeholders and taking action to "bring about real change."

"The United States and world are bearing witness to the senseless killings, pain, and disenfranchisement the Black community is experiencing this week and has endured for centuries, and together we must find solutions to the endemic racism and persistent discrimination at the root of these latest tragic incidents," he said in a statement. "Our industry makes technology that inspires and empowers people to do better, to have a voice, and to enact change. And our strength lies in our ability to innovate in ways that benefit everyone and draw from the communities we live in. We all need to do more and do better to address pervasive inequality and discrimination, and we have the opportunity to do our part."

Companies and their trade associations are increasingly weighing in on the protests blanketing the country in response to the death of George Floyd in police custody.

"We stand in support of the African American community--our employees, on-air talent, colleagues, artists, writers, storytellers, producers and, most importantly, our audience, are all allies in requesting the fair and humane treatment of people of color and the rejection of any and all forms of racism and social injustice," said the Spanish Broadcasting System in a statement Monday (June 1).

Jason Oxman, president of tech association ITI, said his industry is committed to listening to all stakeholders and taking action to "bring about real change."

"The United States and world are bearing witness to the senseless killings, pain, and disenfranchisement the Black community is experiencing this week and has endured for centuries, and together we must find solutions to the endemic racism and persistent discrimination at the root of these latest tragic incidents," he said in a statement. "Our industry makes technology that inspires and empowers people to do better, to have a voice, and to enact change. And our strength lies in our ability to innovate in ways that benefit everyone and draw from the communities we live in. We all need to do more and do better to address pervasive inequality and discrimination, and we have the opportunity to do our part."

Tech companies have come up with a list of recommendations for what will need to be done to safely reopen the economy to avoid both the risk of spreading the pandemic and the risk of a "patchwork" response to the reopening.

The list is a long one and suggests a difficult road ahead, as well as current mixed signals from government agencies.

Global tech association ITI outlined its guidance for reopening the workplace in a letter to Vice President Mike Pence, who is heading up the White House's coronavirus task force. ITI members run the gamut from Nielsen to Qualcomm, Facebook and Amazon to Verizon, Google, HP and Intel.

Related: COVID-19 Hits Industry

The President has pronounced that the country is moving from a virus response phase to an economic recovery phase.

ITI said there should be clear and consistent guidance and a data-driven approach to that reopening if the public is to feel safe about returning to that reopened economy. What there should not be, it said, is a "patchwork of federal, state, and local policies that will cause needless, time-consuming, and resource-draining confusion that will delay our national economic recovery."

Currently the President has said he is leaving it up to the states to make the decisions about reopening, though encouraging them to so as quickly as possible.

ITI also noted the conflicting guidelines from more than half a dozen federal agencies.

“Many in the technology sector will eventually return to their workplaces," said ITI President Jason Oxman. "When the time comes to safely do so, unified federal guidance will expedite the transition to the next phase." Oxman did not say when ITI thought that time would come.

Here are some of the things ITI said should come before such a coordinated reboot:

"Assessing readiness: Workplace readiness guidance that includes a checklist of considerations for employers to ensure employee and consumer confidence while mitigating transmission of the virus.

"COVID-19 screening: General guidance on which screening methods, techniques, and technologies can be reliably used in particular work environments to detect possible COVID-19 illness would encourage the widest possible deployment of employer-based screening.

"COVID-19 testing: Flexible testing guidance to give employers the ability to adopt testing measures based on the safety needs of their workforce. As testing capacity increases, guidance should encourage widespread testing, including of those who are asymptomatic, and also encourage employer-administered testing.

"Physical changes to office environments to enable social distancing: Space planning guidance, such as how to reconfigure cubical or open workspace environments, and how to appropriately mitigate transmission risk in shared spaces such as elevators, meeting rooms, kitchens, break rooms, cafeterias, locker rooms, and restrooms.

"Alternative mitigation strategies where social distancing is infeasible: Alternative mitigation guidance where workspaces do not lend themselves to retrofitting or job functions prevent social distancing.

"Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or face coverings: Guidance on who is responsible for providing PPE or face coverings, whether an employer may require employees to provide their own face coverings in an environment that does not require PPE, and whether employers are obligated to verify employee-provided face coverings conform with CDC guidelines.

"High risk or vulnerable employees: Risk profiling guidance to identify high risk or vulnerable employees occur; identify related privacy obligations that arise; describe what responsibilities, accommodations, or protocols particularly susceptible employees trigger; and how to encourage these individuals to appropriately protect themselves.

"Sanitation and disinfectant protocols: Guidance on sanitation and disinfectant protocols after a confirmed COVID-19 exposure occurs.

"In-person gathering restrictions: Clear guidance on ongoing restrictions for in-person gatherings for the benefit of employers, employees, and attendees alike.

"Contact tracing: Federal guidance to encourage all levels of government to coalesce around one set of protocols for the timely collection, processing, and sharing of data among private entities and federal, state, and local public health agencies to enable necessary interoperability and data sharing among bordering states and closely situated localities. Guidance should include what records employers should maintain to support contact tracing efforts; how, when, and with whom those records should be shared; how and when to notify employees of a potential exposure; and how to properly address privacy risks or obligations that arise from this activity.

"Compliance: Guidance on how to best encourage and ensure compliance with public-health driven guidelines by employees and customers.

"Immigration guidance: Guidance that provides immediate but temporary government flexibility regarding immigration status, work authorization, and compliance deadlines where overstays are unavoidable due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

"Balancing health and safety and COVID-19 related family circumstances: Employee support guidance on how to balance workplace re-openings, health and safety concerns, and COVID-19 family circumstances." 

Tech association ITI said tech startups should not be precluded from the Paycheck Protection Program COVID-19 aid Congress is handing out just because they are funded by larger entities. 

Related: Local Media Seek Billions in COVID-19 Aid

That came in a blog post by Shannon Taylor, ITI VP of government affairs. 

Taylor said the affiliate rules need to be clarified.  

"Startups are small businesses, and they often receive critical seed money or equity investment from larger firms," Taylor wrote. "As a result of the affiliation rules, the headcount of these small businesses is bloated by the headcount of the larger firms, disqualifying them from eligibility for the PPP." 

Related: Complete Coverage of the Coronavirus Pandemic

She said that while venture capital is crucial, it is not an "endless spigot." 

Taylor argued they face the same existential threat from the virus as other small businesses.   

Individual TV stations, radio stations and newspapers have also asked that the affiliation rules not exclude thousands of them just because they are part of a larger media group. 

Tech trade association ITI has put together a guide to tech industry resources to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Coronavirus Response Directory features tools for affected groups, including teachers, businesses governments provided by its members, which include Apple, Google, and IBM. 

It also has a section tracking ITI member company responses as well as resources from SIIA and Technet. 

“The tech industry is working together to help respond to and mitigate the effects of COVID-19 for communities across the globe,” said ITI president Jason Oxman. “We urge educators, employers, and government and community leaders to visit our directory of tools and resources to learn more about what’s available and how tech can help during this public health crisis.”  

Tech association ITI is calling for consistent, global, guidance on who constitutes essential tech workers--including information technology and communications technology workers--when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Department of Homeland Security has issued guidance on who qualifies for that designation, which allows them to work when others are under stay-at-home restrictions, and ITI said other countries should adopt similarly clear and comprehensive guidance.  

According to DHS, Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), communications workers, including broadband, broadcast, cable and journalists, are "essential to continued critical infrastructure viability, including [for] staffing operations centers, maintaining and repairing critical infrastructure, operating call centers, working construction, and performing management functions, among others." 

"Ensuring that these essential employees can continue to work during this time is vital," said ITI. "However, inconsistent guidance from different jurisdictions who implement lockdowns, shelter-in-place orders or other restrictions on personal movement could jeopardize their ability to provide the products and services that people need during this challenging time." 

ITI (the Information Technology Industry Council) has teamed up with the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy to create a directory of tech tools to help deal with the coronavirus crisis. 

The directory, which is available on the ITI Web site, is divided into resources for educators, businesses and governments. 

The "education" section includes mobile, browser, and desktop education apps. For example, the site include links to remote working tools from Amazon, Adobe, Cisco, Microsoft, and others, including Amazon's free Amazon Web Services Digital Training services and Cisco's overage relief for customers of its Webex video conferencing service. 

In the "governments and community partners" bucket, Twitter said it is trying to weed out ads that try to capitalize "opportunistically" on the COVID-19 outbreak, is providing ad credits for NGO public health campaigns, and has updated its COVID-19 Search Prompt to make sure that COVID-19 searches produce "credible, authoritative content at the top of their search experience." 

The site will be updated regularly, said ITI. 

“As the world grapples with COVID-19, the tech industry is committed to playing a constructive role in responding to and helping to mitigate the spread of the virus,” said ITI president Jason Oxman. “From free platforms that can help teachers connect with students to guidance on how to optimize managing a team of employees remotely, technology companies are making tools and resources available to communities, educators, employers, and governments across the world..."

ITI (the Information Technology Industry Council) has weighed in with its Policy Recommendations for a European Tech Agenda as the European Union that it said can help that future be a secure and prosperous one. 

Those include embracing free trade, preserving technological sovereignty without excluding foreign entities, and relying on global, adopting industry-led standards rather than regulation-driven, overly prescriptive government standards, avoiding artificial boundaries on the use of data, pushing back on data localisation efforts (requiring that a member country's citizens' data be collected and stored in that country under local privacy laws), and a host of others. 

It contains the tech trade group's recommendations for helping to shape the EU's "vision for a digital future..." as the EU pursues its Shaping Europe's Digital Future initiative launched this month as a road map to Europe's goal of investing in "connectivity, deep tech and human capital, as well as in smart energy and transport infrastructures," with the security of those connected systems a key to that "digital transformation." 

ITI said the tech industry must be a constructive and active partner in that effort and outlined 10 key policy areas. 

1. "International Cooperation. Global cooperation and open competition are essential to advancing innovation. ITI’s recommendations offer steps to ensure Europe’s commitment to open competition and international cooperation continues to drive technological breakthroughs and help home-grown innovators compete globally. 

2. "Artificial Intelligence. Global convergence will benefit the people, society, and economy of Europe. AI transforms lives and addresses some of society’s most challenging issues. ITI’s approach to AI promotes the technology’s ethical development and deployment globally to manage AI’s potential challenges while ensuring Europeans can reap its benefits and keep innovators on the cutting-edge. 

3. "Privacy. Individual and enterprise trust is key to innovation. ITI’s recommendations offer steps for European policymakers to continue to empower people through a strong, uniform, and consistent set of privacy protections no matter where their data is located.  

4. "Data Governance. Economic growth can be catalyzed by supporting voluntary data sharing agreements, facilitating access to government data, and implementing an ‘open by default’ principle. ITI’s recommendations outline how Europe can responsibly promote a balanced framework for data governance. 

5. "Cyber and Supply Chain Security. Cybersecurity is integral to the EU’s economy and competitiveness. However, cybersecurity risks have intensified and supply chain risk management becomes increasingly complex as the world’s digital infrastructure has become more and more interconnected. ITI’s recommendations support the EU’s continuous work with its international partners to strengthen cybersecurity and reflect shared responsibility and the changing nature of cyberspace.   

6. "Tax. Ensuring a strong, functioning and dependable international tax system is essential for business certainty and growth. ITI’s recommendations call for a multilateral solution that addresses cross-border taxation in a digitalized global economy. 

7. "Trade. Open markets and free trade agreements are catalysts for innovation. ITI’s recommendations offer the industry’s views to ensure Europe’s trade commitments enable the free flow of data, curb forced data localisation, and enhance regulatory and enforcement cooperation globally. 

8. "Digital Services. Online platforms drive innovation and create opportunities for people and businesses across Europe. Our industry understands platforms’ transformative role and is committed to helping ensure the internet stays a safe and open place for all. ITI’s recommendations aim to shape policies that encourage innovation and resolve proven market failures by bringing together all actors involved in the debate. 

9. "Competition. To encourage economic growth, ITI suggests policies that support free and undistorted competition to promote continued innovation and consumer welfare, while also addressing the challenges arising from technological change globally and in the EU. ITI and its members advocate for an approach that maintains the EU’s long-standing commitment to collaborating with like-minded democracies and economic partners in order to help European players be competitive globally. 

10. "Sustainability. ITI supports Europe’s ambitious goal to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. We are aware that our industry has an important role to play in this transition and we stand ready to support Europe in this endeavor. Our recommendations for industry-led, collaborative policies are the starting point for Europe to meet its goals while promoting innovation." 

"Our industry looks forward to serving as a trusted resource in these efforts," said ITI president Jason Oxman. 

ITI members comprise an A-list of tech companies including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, HP, Intel and Microsoft. 

Tech industry group the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) has outlined the five things the tech industry wants to hear from President Trump in tonight's (Feb. 4) State of the Union address. 

ITI president Jason Oxman said that to keep the state of the Union one that foster's innovation and insures U.S. leadership in tech, the President's address needs to address: 

1. Trade truce 

ITI praises the "phase one" deal with China, but said the President must make it clear he is working on a long-term deal rolling back remaining tariffs.

2. Federal privacy legislation 

ITI wants a national privacy law out of Congress and says the President should urge that as well.

3. U.S. transportation and infrastructure  

Integrating smart technology with traditional infrastructure is key, said Oxman. The President should reiterate his pledge to helping cities leverage smart technology.

4. STEM workforce  

The Trump Administration has taken important steps, but more needs to be done to close the "skills gap." ITI said the President should remind the public that that is a collaborative effort, and also propose immigration policies that allow high tech smarts into the country to study and then tap that expertise for U.S. innovation.

5. Spectrum, 5G networks, and broadband expansion 

ITI cited the President's Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence and said he should talk about building on that commitment to create and deploy new tech, particularly focused on making more spectrum available for 5G. "More can be done to free unused spectrum," said Oxman.

Tech companies are telling their representatives that voting for the compromise U.S.-Mexico-Canada [trade] Agreement (USMCA) is a "key vote."  

That came in a letter from the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), with copies to all House members. 

Related: Sec. 230 Language Remains in USMCA 

The association scores items that are must yes votes in terms of the interests of its tech constituency. 

ITI cites "first-of-its-kind, cutting-edge digital trade provisions." Those include promoting cross-border data flows, allowing data storage "where it makes most sense," preventing tariffs and tech taxes, protecting source code and algorithms by disallowing divulging those as a condition of doing business, and creating consistent testing and certification of tech goods. 

"[W]e urge you and your colleagues to support the implementing legislation for the agreement when it comes to the House floor," wrote ITT President Jason Oxman. "American companies of all sizes and across all industries leverage technology, and can expect to benefit from the USMCA’s digital trade and other tech-focused provisions." 

ITI members include Amazon, Apple, eBay, Google, Twitter and Microsoft. 

Tech companies were sounding hopeful Friday after President Donald Trump tweeted that the U.S. and China had struck a trade deal that will prevent a new round of tariffs and potentially roll back some of the existing ones. 

[embed]https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1205509125788098560[/embed]

Related: Tech Groups Balk at Trump Tariffs 

“We’re pleased Presidents Trump and Xi have agreed to a ‘phase one’ deal that begins to roll back harmful tariffs, increases IP and tech transfer protections for American companies, further opens China’s financial market, and stabilizes this critical trade relationship," said Jason Oxman, president and CEO of ITI, the Information Technology Industry Council.  

While consumer tech got a reprieve, the tariffs included on routers, circuit assemblies and networking equipment. Tech groups have said that could slow the rollout of 5G and closing the digital divide. 

ITI members include Amazon, Apple Facebook, Ebay and Google. 

ITI and others have argued that the tariffs are a trade war with consumers and U.S. businesses as collateral damage. 

Consumer Technology Association president Gary Shapiro, who has branded the President's tariffs as the worst economic mistake in the past 100 years, was equally hopeful.

The following statement is attributed to Gary Shapiro, on the announcement of a “Phase One” trade deal with China and administration’s decision to reduce existing tariffs and postpone List 4B tariffs on Chinese imports:

“We applaud President Trump for making an initial deal with China that enforces fair trade practices and addresses critical tech priorities including intellectual property (IP) protections and forced technology transfer," said Shapiro. "It is a significant step toward ending this costly trade war. The partial tariff rollback is also welcome news.

“We look forward to learning more detail on the tariff removal and urge the White House to make those rollbacks quickly and permanently. Achieving IP and tech transfer concessions is important, and we also encourage the Chinese government to make needed their necessary changes transparently and swiftly."

While Shapiro was pleased that the bleeding may be stopped, that does not mean that injury has not already been inflicted.

CTA estimates that the trade war with China has cost the U.S. consumer tech industry $17.5 billion, including $1.6 billion on 5G products.

“Tariffs are taxes on Americans – not the Chinese. The postponement of the next round of tariffs may temporarily protect American consumers from price increases on today’s essential tech devices – including smartphones, laptops and tablets. But it doesn’t resolve market uncertainty or return the billions of dollars our nation is already paying in tariffs. Businesses and markets crave certainty and a relief from the volatility caused by the ups and downs of our trade negotiations.

While Trump said existing tariffs remain in place, Shapiro said that is the wrong move. "[W]e urge Presidents Trump and [Chinese President] Xi to continue these negotiations and reach full tariff removal as soon as possible—and that both sides will stop using tariffs as a weapon.”

ITI (the Information Technology Industry Council) has named Jonathan Pawlow senior director, government affairs. He will focus on the executive branch and Congress, advocating on procurement and infrastructure public sector issues for the tech trade group. 

Pawlow comes from the Hill, where most recently he was legislative director and deputy chief of staff for Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, where Pawlow has served over a dozen years. 

ITI has been staffing up of late. Last month, ITI announced that former FBI chief information officer Gordon Bitko was joining as vice president of public sector policy efforts. 

“As a seasoned congressional aide, Jon will help ensure our advocacy on issues ranging from supply chain management to acquisition reform to government modernization is informed by deep experience and sharp insight," said ITI President Jason Oxman.

Tech types are pushing Congress to pass the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act as part of its ongoing effort to attract the best and brightest tech minds from wherever they are. 

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) passed House July 10 and is given a strong chance of passage in the Senate.  

Lofgren's office said the bill has over 200 Democratic co-sponsors and 100 Republicans. 

A version of the bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee this week by sponsor Mike Lee (R-Utah). 

“We have long advocated for changes to our immigration system—such as the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act—that allow U.S. employers to attract and retain the world’s best and highly educated employees in order to compete in a global marketplace,” said tech association ITI president Jason Oxman. “Removing the antiquated per-country limits on employment-based visas is critical to maintaining our competitiveness as a nation. We commend Senator Lee (R-UT) and Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) for their bipartisan leadership on this issue, and urge the Senate to pass this legislation." 

The Consumer Technology Association has also long pushed for allowing more high-skilled workers into the country to diversify the tech brain trust. 

“CTA has fought for years to modernize our immigration laws so that top talent from around the world can contribute to the U.S. economy and create jobs in America," said Consumer Technology Association president Gary Shapiro. "The effort by Sens. Mike Lee and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) to remove arbitrary per-country limits on employment-based visas is an important step toward a more fair and effective immigration system. The House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted to get rid of per-country limits earlier this year when it passed the bipartisan Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act. We now encourage the Senate to find a path forward for these reforms.”

Specifically, the bill would: 

1. "Eliminate the “per country” cap for employment-based immigrant visas so all workers are treated equally.  

This provision would be implemented over a 3-year phase-in period: during year one, no more than 85 percent of employment-based visas may be allocated to India or China; in years two and three, no more than 90 percent of employment-based visas may be allocated to India or China. Also during this period, a safety provision would prevent visas from going unused.

 2. "Ensure that immigrants who have an approved employment-based visa petition prior to the bill’s date of enactment don’t lose their place in line. 

 3. "Raise the “per country” cap for family-sponsored immigrant visas from 7 percent to 15 percent."