Obama Outlines Internet Policy Agenda

CHICAGO — Presidential candidate Barack Obama released a technology policy paper outlining his position on Internet governance should he become president.

Some key points contained in the report included “ensuring a full and free exchange of information among Americans through an open Internet and diverse media outlets,” as well as deploying “next generation broadband” and preservation of 1st Amendment rights while protecting children.

The statement was issued by the Barack for President campaign in advance of Obama’s upcoming visit to Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

In the report, Illinois Sen. Obama defined network neutrality as "the basic principle that network providers should not be allowed to charge fees to privilege the content or applications of some websites and Internet applications over others.”

He reiterated his support of network neutrality, saying that “because most Americans only have a choice of only one or two broadband carriers, carriers are tempted to impose a toll charge on content and services, discriminating against websites that are unwilling to pay for equal treatment.

"This could create a two-tiered Internet in which websites with the best relationships with network providers can get the fastest access to consumers, while all competing websites remain in the slower lane. Such a result would threaten innovation, the open tradition and architecture of the Internet.”

Believing that the U.S. should lead the world in Internet access and broadband penetration, Obama would “redefine broadband,” which is currently defined at 200 kbps. By increasing broadband speeds as a matter of national policy, the candidate hopes to bring the Internet infrastructure current with speeds needed to accommodate communications in the 21st century.

Obama said also that he would appoint the nation’s first-ever chief technology officer, to ensure that all governmental agencies had the infrastructure, policies and services for the future, as well as safeguarding the safety of their networks.

The CTO also would oversee technology systems developed to implement various governmental functions, such as the development of an interoperable wireless network for local, state and federal first responders as recommended by the 9/11 commission.

Also the CTO would be focused on “transparency,” by making sure that each arm of the Federal government maintained open and accessible records as mandated by the E-Government Act.

He proposes also revamping the Universal Service Reform program, which applies mainly to voice communication, into a program that would support online affordable broadband and would focus on increased accessibility for under-served areas.

Obama’s policy statement may have been brought on partially by political activist group MoveOn.org’s campaign to encourage Congress to mandate network neutrality policy that, according to the group, was recently eliminated by the FCC.

The group has said that it is encouraging Sen. Hillary Clinton to add network neutrality to her Internet policy, as well.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Show More