Keep Calm and Carry On: How ACT | The App Association Used Its PPP Funding
Recently, the Small Business Administration released data on the types of businesses that applied for one of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, established through the CARES Act at the start of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE). As an association for small and medium businesses in the app economy, we paid particular attention to this program in order to guide our members through the ins and outs of applying. Securing funding for a small business isn’t an easy task, [...]
Advancing the Internet of Things: Debunking Misconceptions About Standards and Innovation
Who is driving technological innovation today? Is it a few companies that focus only on development of interoperability standards, or is it an entire ecosystem of companies that develop standards, create products, and integrate new technologies in new and useful ways? While it may seem obvious that modern technological progress is not the province of just a few “lone wolf” companies, some policymakers seem to be focusing undo attention on a small subset of the innovation ecosystem that powers the [...]
Assessing the EU’s Digital and Tech Agenda at the Halfway Point of 2020
We’re approaching that time of the year when Europeans go on summer vacation – and although those might look a little different this year due to COVID-19, the European institutions are still taking their regularly scheduled recess. With that in mind, we’re using this quiet period to look back on the digital and tech policy developments of the last six months and looking ahead to the second half of 2020. January: All About Chargers In January, the European Parliament called [...]
Bon APPétit
I once prided myself on being the kind of person who could always find something to do. Boredom was rarely a thing for me as long as I could access a bookstore, throw a random destination into my GPS and hit the road, take a walk around local trails, or hit the mall—I just really love a good mall wander, OK? Obviously, that changed quite a bit since the COVID-19 outbreak. After binge watching Arrow AND The Flash, blowing [...]
How to Successfully Launch Your App on the App Stores
So, you’ve had an idea for an app, you designed, developed, and tested it – but wait, how do you get your great new app in the app stores and reach millions of users all over the world? Based on the experience of many of our members, ACT | The App Association compiled a guide to help you think through the launch process and avoid the most common speedbumps that may delay your app’s approval or continued availability in the [...]
End-to-End Madness: The Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act is the EARN IT Act’s Evil Twin
Recently, ACT | The App Association made it a priority to highlight encryption’s essential role in facilitating a safe and secure internet, a role that’s become even more vital while millions remain quarantined and reliant on remote communication technologies. This is especially the case for vulnerable communities, such as the protesters and activists involved in the Black Lives Matter fight for racial justice, who rely on encrypted communications to coordinate their activities and exercise their First Amendment rights. The App [...]