[Washington, D.C.] – [February 5, 2025] – Internet Works, a trade association representing middle tech businesses, today released a letter from Executive Director Peter Chandler to congressional leadership, expressing the organization’s desire to collaborate on federal tech policy in the 119th Congress.
The letter, addressed to Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Thune, and Democratic Leaders Jeffries and Schumer, highlights the crucial role that middle tech online platforms play in the lives of millions of Americans. The letter stresses the need for regulations to be appropriately scaled for these companies.
“During the 118th Congress, tech policy debates were often focused on the largest American tech companies. We understand Congress must address the concerns their constituents have with ‘big tech’. It’s important to recognize that the American tech ecosystem is not monolithic and that nearly all regulatory tech proposals will disproportionately affect online enterprises of all sizes and business models,” said Peter Chandler, Executive Director of Internet Works.
The letter continues, “Simply stated, our goal is to preserve the Internet as a place of innovation and limitless opportunity. To that end, it is vital that online regulation be right-sized for middle tech companies, including preserving the integrity of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which has helped American companies survive and thrive to the benefit of consumers and countless small businesses for nearly 30 years.”
The letter points to Internet Works’ collaborative and pragmatic approach to policy, noting the organization worked closely in the last congress on a wide array of issues including data privacy, online trust and safety, artificial intelligence, and competition. Specifically, Internet Works supported legislation that addresses real online issues without stifling innovation, including:
- The REPORT Act: Led by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and U.S. Representatives Laurel Lee (R-FL-15), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04) to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Invest in Child Safety Act: Led by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Anna Eshoo D-(CA-16), and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) to establish the Office to Enforce and Protect Against Child Sexual Exploitation.
- TAKE IT DOWN Act: Led by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and U.S. Representatives Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27.) and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4.) to address sexually exploitative imagery online.
About Internet Works:
Internet Works is a coalition of over 20 diverse technology companies working together to right-size regulatory technology policy to foster trust and promote safety online so that the Internet remains a place of limitless possibility and innovation. For more information, please visit www.TheInternet.Works.