How will the IT industry help to create jobs and stimulate the economy?

Join Americans for Technology Leadership on Monday, July 12th from noon to 1:30 pm for a discussion of the role of information technology in economic recover.

WHAT:
Americans for Technology Leadership will host a luncheon panel discussion on the role that IT plays in our economic recovery. The event will feature data from recent independent studies and experts on small business and the IT industry. Jobs are the number one priority in this economy and the IT and communications industry is working hard to help create jobs. Panelists will discuss the role the IT industry plays in our economy.

WHO:

· Shahin Kohan, CEO, Focal Technology

· Karen Kerrigan, President, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

· Dr. Joseph Fuhr, Senior Fellow, American Consumer Institute

WHEN: Monday, July 12th

TIME: Noon – 1:30pm

WHERE: Hotel Monaco, Paris Ballroom, 700 F St., NW, Washington, DC 20004

RSVP: rvsp at techleadership dot org

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SHOULD CONSUMERS BE CONCERNED ABOUT GOOGLE?

News of privacy violations by Google are almost a daily occurrence

WASHINGTON, DC – Google is one the world’s largest and most successful companies but consumers may start to see the company differently following a string of revelations about the way Google collects personal data, sometimes even advertently, says Americans for Technology Leadership.

Google was in the news yet again for collecting private data without the knowledge of consumers. It collected data from unsecured wireless networks while the company mapped the streets of in several European countries for its street view application.

“Consumers should know what information is being collected about them and how that information will be used. As news reports surface with greater frequency about Google’s lack of transparency about how it acquires and manages private data, consumers have reason to be concerned,” said Randy Skoglund, executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership. “The urban legend of giant servers housing a file on computer users from around the globe is less legend and now one step closer to being a part of the urban landscape.

“Consumers need to be aware of how certain companies collect and manage private data and how that can affect their everyday lives,” continued Skoglund. “There are privacy settings on social networking sites, at home wireless networks, email services and other applications that consumers should learn how to manage in order to ensure their private data remains private.”

“Governments and technology companies need to work together, along with consumers, to protect personal data and keep it safe. With the advent of phishing, scams, identity theft and other computer-related data schemes, it’s so important, now more than ever, to make sure personal data is kept safe and companies are transparent in how they plan to use that data,” concluded Skoglund.

Americans for Technology Leadership is a broad-based coalition of technology professionals, consumers, and organizations dedicated to limiting government regulation of technology and to fostering competitive market solutions to public policy issues that affect the technology industry. For additional information on ATL, public policy positions, and a mission statement visit the web site at www.techleadership.org

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Washington, DC. – With increased concern among consumers and businesses about online privacy and security, Americans for Technology Leadership urged lawmakers to look at updating key laws to make sure they reflect current realities of the marketplace. A growing chorus of voices has called for modernizing key laws.

In a speech to the Brookings Institute today, Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith called for modifications to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The changes would update these important laws and increase penalties for hacking networks.

“Technology has become critical to the way we do business and the way we live our lives,” said Randy Skoglund, executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership. “While enjoying the great benefits of this technology, consumers and businesses are clearly concerned about the issues of privacy and security.”

“We applaud Microsoft’s leadership and support their efforts to modernize these important laws to make sure they reflect today’s technologies,” added Skoglund. “Our laws need to impose stiff penalties on the criminals who hack into financial and corporate networks putting our data, our finances and our identities at risk. We need to send a message to would be cyber-thieves that we take these crimes seriously and they will pay a price for their actions.

Smith also called for transparency in cloud computing technologies so that consumers know exactly how their personal information and data are being protected and used online.

“Companies must be transparent when collecting consumer data. Consumers have the right to know how their information will be used, especially in light of the growing list of worries about the practices of dominate firms who collect significant amounts of information about consumers online.” Skoglund concluded.

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