Tech World Closely Watching Markey's Primary Bout

Consumer advocates say they worry about the future of kids’ online safety advocacy if Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) loses his contentious Massachusetts Democratic primary to challenger Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-MA). Voters in the state have a choice between re-electing Sen Markey, an incumbent with a long track record on key tech policy issues, or electing Rep Kennedy, a relative unknown in the space. The decision, groups say, could have big implications for privacy, broadband and more. Many advocates see Sen Markey as a top champion for their causes. “Ed Markey is the single most important member of Congress when it comes to protecting Americans’ children online [and] ensuring that the big media companies are held in check,” said Jeffrey Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy. Chester’s group has worked with Sen Markey on a lengthy list of tech and telecom bills. Ariel Fox Johnson, senior counsel for Common Sense Media, which lobbies on children’s safety issues, said “kids and their families would lose a staunch advocate” in Sen Markey. 

Among Markey’s congressional acts on tech. Advocates pointed to his work authoring the landmark children’s online privacy law known as COPPA and pushing for the E-rate program granting discounts on broadband for schools as major parts of his legacy on tech and telecom. Johnson said Markey’s more recent advocacy to expand students’ internet access has been particularly crucial amid Covid-19. “With the reality of increased distance learning during the pandemic, he has been driving home this issue at every opportunity,” she said. Rep Kennedy, meanwhile, lacks the resume on those same tech issues. He has “been a non-presence when it comes to the issues about protecting children online,” according to Chester. Rep Kennedy is a co-sponsor of the Children and Media Research Advancemen (CAMRA) Act, H.R. 1367, which would expand funding for federal studies on how tech and media affect children. (Sen Markey is the lead sponsor for the bill’s Senate counterpart.) Kennedy campaign spokesperson Emily Kaufman said in a statement that the lawmaker “has been a leader in the fight for consumer protection and privacy online.”