Groups Want Two Major US Parties to Support Internet 'freedom'

The Republican and Democratic parties in the U.S. should take a stand for Internet "freedom" during their upcoming national conventions, a group of Internet activists urged.

More than 36,000 people have signed a petition, started by Internet activist group Demand Progress in mid-August, calling on the two major parties to add Internet freedom language to their party platforms. Demand Progress reiterated its call for Internet freedom language in the platforms. "The next two weeks will determine which party is the party of the 'Net," David Segal, executive director of Demand Progress, said. "Internet start-ups, civil liberties groups, and Internet users generally will be paying close attention to who really represents us." US residents are becoming more concerned about threats to Internet freedom as their dependence on the Internet grows, Segal added. "It behooves both parties to demonstrate their support for that cause -- in their platforms, and in their legislative undertakings," he said. "If they fail to do so, the swelling number of Internet-savvy voters will start to look elsewhere."