Tech trade groups push for party platforms to oppose UN Web regulation

“It is in the interest of all Americans, and people across the globe, to prevent those who wish to stifle the spread of democratic values or economic progress from interfering with the opportunities the Internet provides,” the letters state.

The tech groups are not alone: Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), advocacy group Demand Progress and others have asked Republicans and Democrats to include some sort of language in their party platforms that promotes preserving Internet freedom, but they did not specifically mention the ITU proposals. Republicans and Democrats are currently considering staking out positions on Internet freedom in their platforms. 

The House passed a resolution this month by Rep. Mary Bono Mack (R-Calif.) that urged the Obama administration to oppose efforts to give the ITU more authority over the Internet. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a similar resolution in the Senate, but it hasn’t seen action yet.  

The other trade groups that signed the letter included the Computing Technology Industry Association, CTIA, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, Consumer Electronics Association, Software & Information Industry Association and the Internet Security Alliance.