ATL Holds TBTN In Connecticut -

Click here to see a story on the TBTN that appeared in the New Haven Independent.

Yahoo Google Deal Raises Concerns -

Yesterday, Yahoo announced that it was partnering with Google on online search.  The combination of the top two online search companies has raised concerns among many consumer groups and legal experts.

Click here to listen to ATL's Audio News Relase.

Yahoo-Google Will Invite Regulatory Scrutiny -

ATL sees a missed opportunity for greater competition in the marketplace

Washington, DC – In response to news that Microsoft is no longer interested in a deal with Yahoo and that Yahoo is partnering with Google on search, Randy Skoglund, executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership issued the following statement:

“A deal between the number one and number two search providers is bad for consumers and this deal will almost certainly come under intense regulatory scrutiny.   Many in the technology industry and government will be concerned about this deal given Google's dominant position in the search market.  The lack of competition, concerns about Google’s access to information and commitment to consumer privacy raises serious questions for consumers and small businesses.

"At the end of the day, consumers have missed an opportunity to see greater competition in the online search and advertising markets.  Given the strong position of Google in the online space, the partnership with Yahoo hurts both consumer and advertiser choice and risks protection of their privacy.”

June Is Internet Safety Month -

The United States Senate recently passed a resolution declaring June "National Internet Safety Month."  The declaration calls on Internet safety groups, law enforcement, educators and others to increase their efforts to raise awareness of online safety.  While law enforcement officials have been cracking down on cyber-criminals and technology companies have been developing new tools, consumers can take a number of steps to protect themselves.

Click here to listen to ATL's Audio News Release.

ATL: NY State Needs to Ban Internet Taxes -

Washington, DC – New York State is going ahead with their plans to enforce an online sales tax on all New York residents. This is in response to a lawsuit between Amazon.com and New York State. Randy Skoglund, executive director of Americans for Technology Leadership (ATL), made the following statement:

"We should be focusing on making the internet accessible to as many people as possible and not on placing new taxes on internet purchases that could have a chilling effect on the growth of the industry. 

 “The Internet has empowered consumers with choices like never before and instead of putting burdens on consumers through unnecessary and possibly unconstitutional taxes, New York State should be encouraging Internet consumerism through measures that would help grow the markets, not hinder them.   Saddling the dynamic online marketplace with surcharges of that magnitude would clearly place the progress of the past several years at risk. 

“New York State has the opportunity to reject these Internet taxes and we urge them to take this critical step and enable consumers to shop and spend money where they like.”