ACT | The App Association members are innovative small businesses changing how we live, work, and play through apps and connected technology. Our members continue to lead the next generation of trailblazers, working to solve problems and fill gaps across industries, and they’re harnessing the power of the app economy to get the job done.

But to continue improving the lives of their customers and clients through safe, secure products —in addition to creating sought-after jobs in their communities and beyond—our members rely on federal policies that enable them to innovate and grow.

As lawmakers gear up for the 118th Congress, our members came together to outline their top priorities for the next two years. Below, we’ve highlighted some of their priorities, points of view, and how Congress can work together to empower the app economy’s brightest, most agile developers: our members.

POV: Developers and Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

Small business software and connected device companies are on the front lines of ensuring data privacy, promoting the responsible use of data for their customers, and securing personal data against unauthorized access. Unfortunately, up to 71 percent of cyber attacks are aimed at small companies that don’t necessarily have the resources or brand recognition to recover from a breach. Strong encryption standards are critical for small businesses to keep their customers’ personal data safe in the online marketplace.

Member Ask: In addition to improving our cybersecurity posture by protecting encryption across the nation and enhancing information sharing between small businesses, Congress should set a single, national set of data privacy and security rules across all states and territories.

POV: Techies on Competition and Antitrust

Competition is the cornerstone of innovation in the global app economy. Small businesses become industry leaders by moving quickly to create life-changing products in a way that captivates consumers.  In order to reach customers around the globe with those products, many small-to-medium-size developers rely on the scale of large platforms to deliver their products securely.

Member Ask: Congress should encourage competition through a restrained enforcement approach that respects the consumer benefits platforms enable, while continuing to monitor tech-driven marketplaces to ensure competition is producing optimal results.

POV: Innovators on Web3 and Crypto Assets

The heart of Web3 is the decentralization of information in an open, permission-less, user-oriented network. Crypto assets are a key layer of Web3 frameworks, and our membership supports legislation that regulates and evaluates the risks associated with such assets.

Member Ask: Congress should continue to increase policymakers’ technical understanding of blockchain and crypto asset technologies as small businesses leverage them to create jobs.

POV: Devs and Digital Health

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a temporary lift around telehealth provisions that allowed for a record number of patients to access care during a crucial time. This temporary change to our healthcare rules showed that we have a long way to go to fully integrate digital technology into our system. In order to continue to achieve better patient outcomes and reduce the strain on our healthcare system, connected health tools need to be made affordable and accessible for all.

Member Ask: Congress should support privacy, security, and interoperability for digital health tools, ensuring their continued growth and, ultimately, improved health outcomes for patients everywhere.

POV: Business Builders and Broadband

Broadband infrastructure is critical for all Americans to work, go to school, access healthcare services, pay bills, stream the latest show, and leads to the growth of just about every industry in the global economy. In fact, the expansion of broadband infrastructure will create 8.5 million jobs by 2025 in the United States alone.

Member Ask: Congress should support fast, reliable, and affordable broadband to all.

POV: Developers on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Workforce Development

The gap in representation and inequities in the app economy continues to amplify the workforce development crisis our industry faces. A stronger, safer app economy begins with a diverse and empowered workforce.

Member Ask: We urge Congress to enhance resources at all levels of workforce development, while also carving out additional resources and programs for traditionally disenfranchised communities. 

POV: Small Business Owners and Standard-Essential Patents

Standards play an important role in delivering interoperable products across a global market. The role of patents in standards and standards bodies is critical to that future. Unfortunately, abuse of standard-essential patents (SEPs) poses a significant threat to small businesses and consumers alike. These abuses put the global app economy at risk by enabling unscrupulous licensors to force reliance on fewer suppliers of critical components and weakening supply chains.

Member Ask: To prevent SEPs abusers from undermining the standards system, Congress should oppose measures that would diminish the strength of fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms and advance policies to discourage anticompetitive conduct involving SEPs.

POV: Innovators and Intellectual Property and Copyright

Strong intellectual property protections safeguard the creativity of our members and other small businesses, including their ability to create jobs and develop innovative software products and services. Piracy not only threatens a developer’s ability to invest, expand, and hire, but also undermines user confidence when consumers become victims of illegal distributors.

Member Ask: Congress should support copyright protections for app developers.

POV: Technologists and Tax

The federal tax code plays an important role in providing the right incentives for American small businesses to compete and grow rapidly in the app economy. Rewarding best practices through tax incentives empowers small companies to offer competitive benefits and leads to technological solutions.

Member Ask: Congress should address tax policy issues, like telework, healthcare, and research and development, affecting small businesses to help them continue to thrive.

To see the letter signed by App Association members and sent to Congress, click here.