The Dynamist

Last week, TikTok CEO Shou Chew appeared before the House Energy and Commerce Committee for a marathon hearing focused on national security and other concerns with the popular social media app. His goal was to assuage lawmakers’ concerns, but, if anything, the app’s future in the United States looks more bleak than ever. But how likely is an outright ban or divestiture from TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company ByteDance? Would these measures truly solve the national security risks? And what are the political and legal implications? Evan is joined by FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to discuss.References:House Energy and Commerce hearingTwitter thread by Carr responding to Chew’s written testimonyPress conference with Rep. Jamaal Bowman and TikTok creatorsVariety report with analyst predictions on likelihood and timeline of a ban or divestitureVice report on TikTok pushing suicide videos to teenagersThe Hill report on DoJ investigating TikTok over surveillance of journalistsClip of MSNBC analyst advocating a broader approach to Chinese apps

For many, their first thought about blockchain or cryptocurrency has to do with crime, scams, or the infamous meltdown of FTX. But the implications of blockchain technology go far beyond the breathless headlines. Consider data privacy. Governments around the world are increasingly trying to protect the privacy of Internet users, particularly when it comes to so-called “free” services like YouTube and Instagram which are supported by targeted advertising. While governments have struggled to get a grip on user privacy with these services, our guest today says that decentralized tech like cryptocurrency can radically alter how data privacy must be tackled. Luke Hogg is Director of Outreach at Lincoln Network, focusing on the intersection of emerging technologies and public policy. Read his paper on Web 3 and data privacy, co-authored with Antonio García Martínez. 

Most people don’t think about global shipping and supply chains until a crisis spotlights these issues—from the hurricanes in Puerto Rico to the COVID-19 pandemic. But while the debate over cargo transport doesn’t often reach the kitchen table, it’s been going on for years in policy circles in Washington, with powerful interests involved on all sides of the debate. It traces back to the 1920 Jones Act, passed in the wake of World War I after German submarines had decimated American commercial ships. While the law was intended to bolster U.S. shipbuilding, has the law failed to achieve its goal? Critics argue it makes shipping more complicated and expensive, raising prices for consumers. Proponents respond that it's essential for national security and preserving domestic shipbuilding capacity. Should the law be repealed, left alone, or reformed? Gabriela Rodriguez, Policy Advisor at American Compass, joins the show to discuss. Follow Gabriela on Twitter here.References: Gabriela’s piece, “The Ghosts of Navies Past: Rebooting the Jones Act for the 21st century”

For years, businesses have been “moving to the cloud.” Instead of relying on servers and hardware located at offices, companies are increasingly using third parties like Microsoft and Oracle for their workplace needs—from analyzing sales data to communicating with coworkers. Congress and regulators are increasingly focused on tech policy issues like digital privacy and the size of Big Tech companies. But one area that gets much less attention is our topic today: cloud software licensing. Has software licensing become too restrictive and anti-competitive? If so, how does that impact consumers and businesses? How should policymakers respond? Evan is joined by Ryan Triplette, Executive Director of the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing. References:Report in FedScoop, “Major government tech contractors use monopolistic vendor-lock to drive revenue, study says”Statement from the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing on a new complaint against Microsoft in Europe

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing war put energy policy in the global spotlight. The dependence of European nations like Germany on Russian oil and gas played a significant factor in Putin’s aggression and continues to finance the Kremlin’s war effort. In the U.S., Republicans and Democrats continue to spar over our energy future. Many Democrats want a “Green New Deal,” while Republicans accuse the Biden administration of curtailing domestic oil and gas production. My guest, Alec Stapp, argues that an agenda of energy abundance can solve seemingly intractable fights. He is the co-founder and co-CEO of the Institute for Progress, a non-partisan research and advocacy organization.Read Alec’s recent piece in The Atlantic, “Climate Relief Can’t Wait for Utopia”

There's turmoil at the Federal Trade Commission—the agency charged with protecting consumers and one of two agencies that deal with antitrust issues, such as promoting competition and preventing monopolies. Last week, Republican FTC Commissioner Christine Wilson announced her resignation in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, citing FTC Chairwoman Lina Khan’s alleged disregard for the rule of law and due process. What does this FTC drama mean for the agency’s efforts to rein in Big Tech? Are there broader implications for antitrust policy going forward? Evan is joined by Matt Stoller, Director of Research at the American Economic Liberties Project. He is also the author of Goliath: The Hundred Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy. You can read his work on his Substack, “BIG” at MattStoller.Substack.com.

Cyber attacks are on the rise, but this will come as no surprise to most Americans. It seems the news is always full of stories about a major data breach or ransomware attack. It's not just your imagination—studies show attacks have risen sharply in the past couple of years. In the wake of a Chinese spy balloon flying over sensitive U.S. military sites, is the issue of cybersecurity ripe for the public attention it deserves? Evan is joined by Shane Tews, non-resident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and host of the brilliantly-named podcast “Explain to Shane.” They discuss the state of the nation’s cyber hygiene and what companies and governments can be doing differently to secure our data.Verizon report found ransomware attacks rose 13% in 2022, more than the prior five years combinedCheck Point report that global cyber attacks increased 28% in the third quarter of 2022 year over yearForeign Affairs oped by CISA Director Jen Easterly and Assistant Director Eric Goldstein calling for companies to build better cybersecurity into their productsGovernment Accountability Office report on “federal actions urgently needed to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure”

The debate over whether and how to regulate social media has been boiling for years. The Supreme Court may have the final say, but will a ruling address mounting complaints with how these platforms work, from misinformation to censorship? Evan is joined by Richard Reisman, founder of Teleshuttle Corporation, an innovation studio based in New York City. He argues that fixing social media requires a fundamental rethink that moves us past the firehoses and filter bubbles that most Americans experience online. Can social media be more like bars, churches, and clubs where people filter their experiences in the physical world? And what’s the difference between freedom of expression and freedom of impression?“Delegation, Or, The Twenty Nine Words That The Internet Forgot,” by Richard Reisman and Chris Riley in Tech Policy Press“Clubhouse, a Tiny Audio Chat App, Breaks Through,” by Erin Griffith and Taylor Lorenz in New York Times“Free Speech Is Not the Same As Free Reach,” by Renee DiResta in WIREDSmartly Intertwingled, Richard Reisman's blog"Into the Plativerse through Fiddleware," by Richard Reisman 

“Environmental, social, and governance,” better known as ESG, has been a major topic of discussion in the business world. Proponents of ESG praise companies for efforts to reduce carbon emissions and make their workplaces more inclusive. Critics have charged that ESG is merely “woke capital,” a way that corporations leverage their power and wealth to advance leftwing policy priorities at the expense of fossil fuels and traditional values. Julius Krein, editor of American Affairs, says it’s a lot more complicated than a simple “left versus right” divide. He argues that Republicans need a better alternative to ESG than “shareholder primacy,” the free-market fundamentalism at odds with rising American populism. Can Republicans find an effective alternative to ESG?Read Krein’s piece in COMPACT, “Why the Right Can’t Beat ESG”Watch Senator Tom Cotton’s exchange with Kroger’s CEO

Is the Internet a force for freedom, or a tool for dictators to oppress their people? The answer largely depends on where you live in the world. For decades, U.S. policymakers have, for the most part, embraced the Internet as a tool to promote democracy. But China, Russia, Iran, and other nations have done the opposite: used the Internet to suppress, surveil, and manipulate people both within and beyond their borders. What is the U.S. doing to promote Internet freedom? Since 2012, the Open Technology Fund has supported projects designed to counter Internet censorship. But is the Fund up to the challenges we face today? And what backlash might the U.S. face by engaging in these activities? Joining Evan to discuss is Dan Lips, Head of Policy at Lincoln Network and former FBI analyst and Homeland Security staffer in Congress. See Dan's white paper on OTF here.ReferencesFreedom House report that shows global Internet freedom has declined for 12 consecutive years.