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To Be Continued: Technology Policy in the First Hundred Days

Discourse Type: Scholarship

2021 University of Illinois Law Review Online 170 (Apr. 30, 2021)

Technology policy issues were a dominant theme in the 2020 presidential election campaign. In his first hundred days, President Biden has taken a steady, incremental approach to the formation and rollout of his technology initiatives. Four trends have emerged. First, as part of his infrastructure investment efforts, Biden is pushing for further deployment of broadband Internet capabilities for people in remote areas or who lack the resources to afford high-speed access. Second, Biden’s appointments herald a sea change in the federal government’s approach to antitrust doctrine and enforcement. “Hipster antitrust” will produce lively debate, but its ability to generate meaningful results is in doubt. Third, while the role of major Internet platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon will continue to generate headlines, legislative reform of content moderation content, such as changes to Section 230, is increasingly unlikely. Finally, cybersecurity challenges—in particular, from nation-states such as China and Russia—have immediately tested the administration’s national security and technology savvy. Biden’s team shows encouraging signs it will devote the focus, resources, and patience necessary to improve America’s information security.

Author(s): Derek Bambauer

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