Heavyweights Launch Tech Commission

A group of leaders with direct lines to the Biden administration—including Common Sense Media’s Jim Steyer, former Gov. Deval Patrick (D-MA), and former Education Secretary Margaret Spellings—is launching a commission that will assemble a “blueprint” for a comprehensive tech policy agenda under President Biden, with a focus on soliciting input from people inside as well as outside DC. There’s still a ton we don’t know about where the Biden administration will come down on issues at the heart of the tech industry, like privacy and Section 230 reform. And these kinds of independent commissions have a pretty good track record when it comes to informing policy—a similar “blueprint” from an Obama-era independent commission (which was also led by Spellings and Steyer) translated into policy change. That means this is one report that will actually end up in the hands of influential Bidenworld players. The Future of Tech Commission is being promoted as a bipartisan endeavor (Spellings served under President George W. Bush), but it’s unclear so far if it will get widespread traction from Republicans. By the summer, the commission will compile solutions for government and industry on topics including privacy, antitrust, digital equity, and content moderation. They’ve already had conversations with the White House, Federal Communications Commission, and lawmakers ahead of launch. (Steyer has worked closely with White House deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed, a former adviser to Common Sense, for years. And Tim Wu, Biden’s competition adviser on the National Economic Council, was also previously an adviser for Common Sense.) The group will focus on soliciting input across the US, ensuring that any tech agenda incorporates views from people outside of the DC bubble. Its first town halls will be in Texas, California and Massachusetts. They will spend the next few months talking to policymakers, regulators, experts, and tech industry leaders nationwide. The group is already drawing attention from key players in Bidenworld, including Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.