Chairman Greg Walden op-ed: House committee seeks input from tech CEOs

[Commentary] It is clear the questions surrounding online consumer protection and data privacy go well beyond Facebook. My committee and the American people need to hear directly from the major players in the tech industry. Consumers deserve a deliberative and exhaustive examination of the digital ecosystem that has become a part of our lives. The House Commerce Committee extends an open invitation to Silicon Valley CEOs. Come and testify before our committee, explain your business model, and enlighten consumers about how your industry affects their daily lives. I strongly encourage the best and brightest of the tech world to accept this invitation. Trust me, it’s much easier to testify at a congressional hearing before your company gets caught up in a scandal. Mistakes, abuse and breaches of trust, however, all have real-world implications for hundreds of millions of Americans, and billions of people worldwide. Congress will need the help of the best and brightest in tech to help us strike the right balance to protect consumers while also encouraging innovation and competition. I look forward to welcoming more Silicon Valley CEOs to the Commerce Committee.

[Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR) is chairman of the House Commerce Committee]