Statement from ACT | The App Association on Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on “Children’s Safety in the Digital Era: Strengthening Protections and Addressing Legal Gaps”
“Children’s online safety is a critical issue and we applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for dedicating time to this subject,” said Morgan Reed, President of the App Association. “As this committee and other leaders in Congress consider legislation around online safety, the App Association and our members strongly support the passage of comprehensive privacy legislation and amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) to make it easier for parents and guardians to provide consent for their teens [...]
One Year Later: The EU’s SEP Licensing Landscape Still Threatens SME Innovation
One year ago, the European Parliament advanced the European Commission’s proposed Standard Essential Patents Regulation to address the opaque and costly standard-essential patent (SEP) licensing system that makes it increasingly difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), like our members,to innovate. The proposal aimed to simplify the licensing process, ensuring that Europe remained competitive in the global tech race. One year later, a handful of big companies have pressured the Commission to announce its intention to withdraw the regulation. [...]
DeepSeek’s Message to Western Policymakers: Unleash the Dynamism of AI Innovators or Risk Finishing a Distant Second
In October 2024, competition authorities from the G7 countries convened in Rome to discuss the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. Their message to AI innovators was clear: expect coordinated and vigorous scrutiny. The recent unveiling of DeepSeek’s open-source R1 AI model, notably released under an MIT open-source licensing model, has called into question this regulatory mindset. Competing on an equal footing with top-tier AI systems from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and others at a fraction of the cost, this development underscores [...]
Event Recap: Lightning Talks at the State of the Net Conference
This year, the State of the Net Conference focused on the changing policy landscape under the new Trump Administration. Many key policy advocates gathered to discuss artificial intelligence, updates to internet governance, and other key topics for advocates working with tech businesses. ACT | The App Association contributed to the conference through my Lightning Talk, titled “Free Flow of Information Shaped the Internet. What Happens When that Information is Restricted?” The App Association has long supported digital trade policies [...]
Developer Community Spotlight: Q&A with Chris Morris and Rachel Hatfield
What happens when a passion for digital innovation meets a commitment to empowering others? For Chris Morris and Rachel Hatfield, co-founders of ACT | The App Association member company Shoo Social Media, it's more than building an average marketing agency; it means creating a hub for growth, mentorship, and lasting impact. They understand that social media is more than a box to tick; it’s a vital part of every successful business strategy. Their collaborative approach helps clients build authentic [...]
From the FTC’s Shade to Vance’s Sunshine in Paris: Are the Feds Turning Over a New Leaf on AI?
With major developments taking shape at a rapid pace in artificial intelligence (AI), including DeepSeek’s $6 million breakthrough, a new reality is dawning for tech markets. Experts and investors take away a variety of lessons, from the straightforward conclusion that more is now possible with less in AI—to demonstrably inaccurate takes, such as that there is insufficient competition in AI. The latter view dominated the Biden Administration’s antitrust approach to AI markets, and early indications suggest “Big Tech” is [...]