Internet Association
{{Infobox organization
| name = The Internet Association
| logo = Internet_Association_logo.png
| logo_size = 240px
| formation = {{Start date and age|2012}}
| dissolved = 2021
| type = Trade association
| location = Washington, D.C.
| key_people = Michael Beckerman; Founder and former President & CEO
| homepage = {{URL|https://internetassociation.org/}}
}}
The Internet Association (IA) was an American lobbying group based in Washington, D.C., which represented companies involved in the Internet.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/net-neutrality-google-facebook-internet-association-1202654440/|title=Internet Association Will Join Legal Battle to Fight FCC's Net Neutrality Repeal|last=Johnson|first=Ted|date=2018-01-05|work=Variety|access-date=2018-07-15|language=en-US}} It was founded in 2012 by Michael Beckerman and several companies, including Google, Amazon, eBay, and Facebook,{{Cite news|last=Weiss|first=Todd R.|date=26 July 2012|title=Google, Amazon, Facebook Backing new Internet Lobbying Group: Report|work=eWeek|url=https://www.eweek.com/it-management/google-amazon-facebook-backing-new-internet-lobbying-group-report/|access-date=9 November 2021}} and was most recently headed by president and CEO K. Dane Snowden before shutting down.
Prior to shuttering, IA lobbied Congress, the courts, foreign governments, federal and state agencies, and state and local governments on a range of regulatory issues.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/net-us-congress-lobbying/google-ebay-amazon-facebook-back-new-lobbying-group-idUSBRE86O1JO20120725|title=Google, eBay, Amazon, Facebook back new lobbying group|author-first=Diane | author-last=Bartz|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-07-15|language=en-US}} The group also published economic research on the internet economy.
Group members had included companies such as Airbnb, Dropbox, Etsy, Expedia, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Netflix and PayPal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/tech-firms-react-fcc-plan-kill-net-neutrality-2017-11|title='We are disappointed': Tech firms are speaking up against the FCC's plan to kill net neutrality|work=Business Insider|access-date=2018-07-15}} Internet Association had offices in Washington, DC; Albany, New York;{{Cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/internet-association-upping-presence-new-york-article-1.2964726|title=Internet Association upping its presence in New York|last=Lovett|first=Kenneth|website=nydailynews.com|access-date=2019-05-12}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/almID/1202778673449/lobbying-group-for-airbnb-uber-opens-office-in-albany/|title=Lobbying Group for Airbnb, Uber Opens Office in Albany|date = February 7, 2017|first1=Joel | last1 = Stashenko |website=New York Law Journal|language=en|access-date=2019-05-12}} Chicago, Illinois;{{Cite web|url=https://politi.co/2IC9LnF|title=5 THINGS TO WATCH this Election Day — If there's NO CLEAR WINNER — Is MUSK's tunnel toast?|last1=Kapos|first1=Shia|last2=Hurst|first2=Adrienne|website=POLITICO|language=en|access-date=2019-05-12}} Seattle, Washington;{{Cite web|url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/powerful-silicon-valley-lobby-internet-association-opening-seattle-office/|title=Internet Association, a powerful Silicon Valley lobby, is opening an office in Seattle|date=2017-11-30|website=GeekWire|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-12}} Sacramento, California;{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/03/19/internet-lobbyist-lands-in-sacramento.html|title=Internet lobbyist lands in Sacramento|last=Young|first=Allen|date=19 March 2014|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2019-05-12}}{{Cite news|url=https://calmatters.org/articles/democrats-torn-between-shiny-new-ventures-and-old-school-allies/|title=Democrats torn between shiny new ventures and old-school allies|date=2015-09-14|website=CALmatters|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-12|last1=Rosenhall |first1=Laurel }} and London, UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/net-us-congress-lobbying-idUSBRE86O1JO20120725|title=Google, eBay, Amazon, Facebook back new lobbying group|date=2012-07-25|work=Reuters|access-date=2019-05-12|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2018/11/14/silicon-valley-lobby-firm-launches-uk-office-regulation-threat/|title=Silicon Valley lobbyist launches UK office as regulation threat grows|last=Boland|first=Hannah|date=2018-11-14|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2019-05-12|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}
History
On July 25, 2012, news outlets reported that several internet companies, including Google, Amazon, eBay and Facebook, were founding a new lobbying group. Michael Beckerman was appointed president and CEO of the new Internet Association, which was set to publicly launch in September of that year.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/07/25/stealth-mode-dc-tech-lobby-group-the-internet-association-names-a-ceo-michael-beckerman/|title=Stealth-Mode DC Lobby Group Internet Association (Google, Amazon, FB, eBay) Names CEO|publisher=Tech Crunch|author= Ingrid Lunden|date=25 Jul 2012|accessdate=7 Feb 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/blogs/influencealley/2012/07/exclusive-new-internet-industry-trade-association-to-launch-25|title=Exclusive: New Internet Industry Trade Association to Launch|work=National Journal|author=Chris Frates|date=25 Jul 2012|accessdate=7 Feb 2015}}{{cite web|last=Bachman|first=Katy|title=Fast Chat: The Internet Association's Michael Beckerman Head lobbyist for 14 Web giants readies for new Congress By Katy Bachman|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/fast-chat-internet-associations-michael-beckerman-145137|publisher=AdWeek|accessdate=25 September 2013}}
In December 2021, following financial difficulty and waning relevance after companies such as Microsoft and Uber pulled support, as well as key staff departures due to internal dysfunction, Politico reported that the organization planned to dissolve.{{Cite news |url= https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/14/silicon-valleys-voice-in-washington-to-dissolve-524486 |date= 14 December 2021 |work=Politico |author= Emily Birnbaum |title= Silicon Valley's voice in Washington dissolves |access-date= 2021-12-14 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/07/12/internet-association-powerhouse-recedes-499212|title=CTRL-ALT-Delete? The internet industry's D.C. Powerhouse vanishes }}
Advocacy
The Internet Association was a lobbying group and shut down at the end of 2021.
= Net neutrality =
The association contested the FCC's initial net neutrality proposal in July 2014, advocating stronger neutrality rules.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/internet-association-voices-concerns-about-fccs-net-neutrality-proposal/|title=Internet Association voices concerns about FCC's net neutrality proposal|publisher=ZDnet|author=Rachel King|date=14 July 2014|access-date=9 Feb 2015}} It later praised the newer rules that surfaced in early 2015, advocating for net neutrality rules to apply equally to wireless and wired internet connections,{{Cite news|url=https://www.recode.net/2014/9/30/11631440/internet-companies-take-aim-at-wireless-net-neutrality-as-debate|title=Internet Companies Take Aim at Wireless Net Neutrality as Debate Rages On|work=Recode|access-date=2018-07-23}} and applauded the development of net neutrality legislation by the Republican Party in the US Congress, which was developed as an alternative to the FCC reclassification proposal.{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/229598-tech-giants-cheer-gop-lawmakers-net-neutrality-moves/|title=Tech giants cheer GOP lawmakers' net neutrality moves|work= The Hill|author=Julian Hattem|date=15 Jan 2015|access-date=9 Feb 2015}}
The association supported the 2015 Open Internet Order, lobbying for it in the press, Congress and the courts.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/328412-techs-trade-association-goes-to-bat-on-net-neutrality/|title=Tech lobby goes to bat on net neutrality|last=Breland|first=Ali|date=2017-04-12|work= The Hill|access-date=2018-07-23|language=en}}{{Cite web|url=https://epic.org/amicus/acaintl/|title=EPIC - ACA International v. FCC (2015 TCPA Order Litigation)|publisher=Electronic Privacy Information Center|website=epic.org|language=en|access-date=2018-07-23}} It opposed FCC Chairman Ajit Pai's Restoring Internet Freedom Order.{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketplace.org/2017/12/14/tech/fcc-net-neutrality-ruling-reaction-tech-companies-business|title=What tech companies are saying about the repeal of net neutrality rules|access-date=2018-07-23}}
It participated in the "Day of Action to Save the Internet" during the summer of 2017. It created a micro-site and video directing Americans to send comments to the FCC opposing the Restoring Internet Freedom Order,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/12/15958030/net-neutrality-day-of-action-internet-companies-list|title=Here's how the internet's net neutrality day of action unfolded|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-07-23}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2017/07/11/535804285/internet-companies-plan-online-campaign-to-keep-net-neutrality-rules|title=Internet Companies Plan Online Campaign To Keep Net Neutrality Rules|work=NPR|access-date=2018-07-23|language=en}} and stated plans to participate in lawsuits to overturn the Order as an intervenor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.recode.net/2018/1/5/16854324/silicon-valley-trump-netflix-free-internet-association-fcc-net-neutrality-lawsuit|title=The leading lobbying group for Amazon, Google and other tech giants is joining the battle to restore net neutrality|work=Recode|access-date=2018-07-23}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/01/05/silicon-valleys-biggest-lobbying-group-says-its-going-to-sue-the-fcc-over-net-neutrality/|title=Silicon Valley's biggest lobbying group says it will help sue the FCC over net neutrality|newspaper=The Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-07-23}}
= Intellectual property =
The association advocated patent reform legislation, to make it more difficult for patent trolls to sue for patent damages.{{cite web|url=http://dcinno.streetwise.co/2015/02/05/the-next-battle-against-patent-trolls-kicks-off-in-congress/|title=Patent Troll Bill Will Get Second Shot Now That Republicans Control Congress|publisher=DC Inno|author=Eric Hal Schwartz|date=5 Feb 2015|accessdate=9 Feb 2015}}
= Privacy =
In September 2018, Internet Association called for federal privacy legislation and released policy principles for a federal privacy law.{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/tech-groups-privacy-influence-98c24f73-a093-4104-a2f0-cb6c5ec81656.html|title=Tech groups move to shape privacy debate|website=Axios|date=13 September 2018 |language=en|access-date=2018-12-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/internet-group-backs-national-data-privacy-approach.html|title=Internet group backs 'national' data privacy approach|last=CNBC|date=2018-09-12|website=www.cnbc.com|access-date=2018-12-16}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-12/more-tech-groups-join-calls-to-give-consumers-power-over-data|title=More Tech Groups Join Calls to Give Consumers Power Over Data|last1=Nix|first1=Naomi|last2=Brody|first2=Ben|date=12 September 2018|website=www.bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-12-16}}
= Sharing economy =
In 2015, Internet Association president and CEO Michael Beckerman criticized the Seattle authorities for allowing vehicle for hire drivers to form unions, claiming that it would "undermine the ability of for-hire and ride-sharing companies to operate".[https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/12/seattle-city-council-votes-to-allow-uber-and-lyft-drivers-to-unionize/ Seattle City Council votes to allow Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize] - Joe Mullin, Ars Technica, 14 December 2015[https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/uber-and-other-drivers-want-flexibility-not-union-bosses/ Uber and other drivers want flexibility, not union bosses] - Michael Beckerman, Seattle Times, 9 December 2015
In 2017, the Internet Association opposed California AB 375, a data privacy bill that would require Internet service providers to obtain customers' permission to collect and sell their browsing history, citing desensitization and security as the basis for their opposition.[https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/09/isps-claim-a-privacy-law-would-weaken-online-security-and-increase-pop-ups/ ISPs claim a privacy law would weaken online security and increase pop-ups] - Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 14 September 2017
IA opposed Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher's "tipping bill", arguing that the market, not the state, should dictate company decisions in the sector.{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailybreeze.com/2017/07/01/california-gives-gig-workers-a-break-but-just-a-little-one/|title=California gives gig workers a break — but just a little one|date=2017-07-01|work=Daily Breeze|access-date=2018-10-31|language=en-US}} The group similarly opposed an FCC vote on net neutrality in December 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2017/12/14/driving-the-day-fcc-net-neutrality-vote-052438|title=Merger mania continues with Disney and Fox|website=POLITICO|language=en|access-date=2018-10-31}}
= Trade =
In 2015, the Internet Association submitted a public comment regarding the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)'s proposal to implement additional export controls regarding intrusion and surveillance software.{{Cite web |title=Regulations.gov |url=https://www.regulations.gov/comment/BIS-2015-0011-0224 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.regulations.gov}} The public comment was strongly opposed to the BIS proposal on several ground: that the proposed rules lacked an intra-company exception; that the rules were broad, ambiguous, and burdensome; and that they would leading to a chilling effect on information sharing and limiting companies' ability to improve security.{{Cite web |title=Regulations.gov |url=https://www.regulations.gov/comment/BIS-2015-0011-0224 |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=www.regulations.gov}} These concerns were shared by many cybersecurity researchers and individuals, small and large cybersecurity companies, coalitions and representation groups, and even other U.S. government organizations.
During negotiations over NAFTA in 2017, the IA supported a strong "safe harbor" protection, similar to the DMCA provision, for cases such as internet firms whose users post pirated content.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/internet-association-mpaa-robert-lighthizer-1202544472/|title=Internet Firms Describe Themselves as 'New Faces' of Content Industry in Trade Letter|last=Johnson|first=Ted|date=2017-09-01|work=Variety|access-date=2018-08-08|language=en-US}}
= Intermediary liability =
IA backed intermediary liability protections when opposing FOSTA{{Cite news|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/hill-passes-bill-targeting-online-sex-trafficking-418809|title=Hill Passes Bill Targeting Online Sex Trafficking|work=Multichannel|access-date=2018-08-08|language=en-us}} and supporting Airbnb in its case against the city of San Francisco.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/284801/internet-association-backs-airbnb-effort-to-block.html|title=Internet Association Backs Airbnb Effort To Block San Francisco Law|language=en|access-date=2018-08-08}} IA also sponsored an advertising campaign in support of Airbnb in Chicago during the company's negotiations with the Emanuel administration regarding additional regulation and taxes.{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/emanuel-administration-threatens-cut-off-talks-airbnb/|title=Emanuel administration threatens to cut off talks with Airbnb|work=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=2018-11-07|language=en|archive-date=2018-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107145655/https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/emanuel-administration-threatens-cut-off-talks-airbnb/|url-status=dead}}
= Global internet governance =
In 2016, IA led the coalition behind an amicus brief opposing an attempt to block the transition of internet domain oversight from the U.S. to an international governing body.{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/298746-tech-groups-file-amicus-brief-opposing-internet-transition-suit/|title=Tech groups file court brief opposing internet transition suit|last=Segal|first=Cheryl|date=2016-09-30|work= The Hill|access-date=2018-11-07|language=en}} The group then participated in the IANA transition which privatized the organization’s function at ICANN. The Hill listed it among the “Top 10 Lobbying Victories in 2016.” {{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/310282-top-10-lobbying-victories-of-2016/|title=Top 10 lobbying victories of 2016|last=Davis|first=John|date=2016-12-14|work= The Hill|access-date=2018-11-07|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://internetassociation.org/ Official website]
- [http://internetassociation.tumblr.com/ Tumblr]
Category:Lobbying organizations in the United States
Category:2012 establishments in Washington, D.C.
Category:Internet governance advocacy groups