Protecting America’s Online Consumers in the 21st Century Digital Economy

To date, more than 50% of Americans have cut landline phone service, and roughly half of U.S. adults now own tablet computers. Time spent with online video exceeds 1.25 hours per day, on average, for U.S. adults, and seven-in-ten Americans are social media users.

The broadband ecosystem has rapidly evolved over the last two decades. Consumer technologies have advanced, online activities have expanded, connectivity has improved, and the power of internet giants has grown. Privacy rights and preserving an Open Internet are on consumers’ minds.

To protect the interests of consumers in today’s digital jungle, comprehensive federal legislation is needed to govern the internet.

IIA invites you to join us for breakfast and explore the below issues during a discussion moderated by IIA Co-Chairman Bruce Mehlman:

• How have changes in the internet ecosystem put consumers more at risk? Which consumer internet rights should be protected through legislation?
• Should consumers be protected by rules that apply to all internet companies across all websites, content, devices and applications?
• Which federal agencies are best-equipped to preserve open internet practices and oversee privacy oversight?

The panel will feature:

• Robert McDowell, former Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
• Jonathan Leibowitz, former Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• IIA Honorary Chairman Rick Boucher, a Democratic member of the US House for 28 years who chaired the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and the Internet
• IIA Co-Chairwoman Kim Keenan, former President and CEO of the Multicultural Media, Telecom & Internet Council (MMTC)

Attendees will be welcome to participate in a Q&A following the panel discussion.