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Startup News Digest 9/21/2018
The Big Story: Privacy Looms Large in Washington.
This week, the European Parliament approved sweeping changes to its copyright regime, including Article 13, which would effectively require all websites hosting user generated content to adopt expensive and ineffective content filters. The proposal also creates a new IP right for publishers that requires websites to pay publishers if the website creates a link to the publisher’s content.
Report: Nuts & Bolts of Encryption
An ebook for policymakers on the past, present, and future of encryption technology.
Research: Private Solutions for Public Problems
How startups are harnessing Big Data to tackle social challenges.
GDPR and the U.S. Startup Ecosystem
As of today, Europe’s new sweeping Internet privacy rules have gone into effect, and companies of all sizes and all over the world that have Europeans’ data are rethinking how they collect and process user data.
Engine statement on FBI data on encrypted devices
“For months, the FBI has repeatedly claimed that it has more than 7,000 impenetrable phones in its possession to support its argument that tech companies should build backdoors into their encrypted products and services to allow law enforcement access to users’ data.”
Engine statement on the California Consumer Privacy Act
A new consumer privacy proposal in California, while well intentioned, would have a chilling effect on the innovative companies that fuel the state’s startup ecosystem, which is the envy of the world.
A Call for Cross-Border Cooperation
Even as a years-long fight over government access to foreign data heads to the Supreme Court, Congress still needs to solve the problem of cross-border information requests.
Engine Supports Pro-Privacy Online Surveillance Reforms
Engine applauds the efforts of lawmakers -- including members of the House Judiciary Committee and Sens. Patrick Leahy and Mike Lee -- for pushing legislation that bolsters privacy, transparency, and oversight protections in an expiring online surveillance law.
Section 702 Spying and Its Impact on Startups
The debate over Internet surveillance is heating up on the Hill, and startups are watching.
Engine Applauds Senators Lee and Leahy for Introduction of ECPA Modernization Act of 2017
Engine applauds Senators Lee and Leahy for their continued work on updating the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). The Lee-Leahy bill will modernize the nation’s electronic privacy laws and bring protections against warrantless searches into harmony with the technological realities of today.
Event Recap: Private Solutions for Public Problems
Earlier this month, Engine held its first briefing of the year: a conversation around the ways that startups are harnessing big data to drive innovation and develop targeted solutions for some of society’s greatest challenges. The event was headlined by Reps. Blake Farenthold (R-TX) and Derek Kilmer (D-WA), who were joined by a distinguished panel of startup leaders and policy analysts.
Engine Statement on House Passage of Email Privacy Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the widely supported, broadly bipartisan Email Privacy Act, making this the second consecutive year that this common-sense update to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) has passed the House. The bill makes a critical update to existing digital privacy laws that clarifies that law enforcement must obtain a warrant—except in certain clearly defined emergencies—before accessing an individual's electronic communications.
Engine Welcomes House Reintroduction of the Email Privacy Act
Engine commends Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-KS), Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), and the bill’s other cosponsors for today’s reintroduction of the Email Privacy Act, legislation that would make critical reforms to our nation’s outdated outdated digital privacy laws.
2016 Year in Review: Privacy + Security
Privacy and security issues were top of mind for policymakers once again in 2016: the Apple-FBI battle pushed questions around encryption to the forefront; massive data breaches and cyberattacks called attention to cybersecurity issues; uncertainty around data transfers between the U.S. and EU persisted; and the heated debate around government access to digital communications thrust electronic privacy reform back into the spotlight. But even with all of these prominent debates, 2016 did not see much actual legislative movement. It’s unclear what will come to pass next year, but we are hopeful that any policies Congress or the new Administration pursue take into account the unique needs and realities of the evolving startup ecosystem.
Startup News Digest 12/23/16
A Big Year for Startup Policy in 2016. The Startup News Digest will be taking a hiatus over the holidays, but you can still get your startup policy fill on our blog. Yesterday, we began publishing Year in Review posts on some of 2016’s most notable debates in tech and entrepreneurship. Watch this space for reports on capital access, intellectual property, net neutrality, emerging technologies, and more over the coming days. Thanks for all of your support in 2016, and we’ll catch you in the new year!
Republicans Release Their Party Platform
As the Republican National Convention kicked off this Monday, the GOP also released the final draft of their party’s platform. The platform, which was written with input from the party’s base sourced via www.platform.gop, included generous mentions of issues important to the startup community.
Statement on Approval of EU-U.S. Privacy Shield Agreement
In the months since the original Safe Harbor agreement was invalidated by the European Court of Justice, the startup community has been in legal limbo awaiting resolution. The approval of this revised trans-Atlantic data-transfer framework brings much needed certainty for American startups with European users.
40 Startups Tell Congress: Encryption Matters
Today, over 40 technology startups from across the country signed Engine’s letter to Congress explaining why encryption is essential to their business operations and their users’ digital security and trust.
Tech Companies Take Stock of the Brexit
As the dust settles from last week’s stunning Brexit vote, the broader tech community, which staunchly supported remaining a part of the European Union (EU), is taking stock of the potential repercussions of the decision. While the United Kingdom (UK) and the EU still have to negotiate the exact terms of the deal (assuming the British can cobble together a new government committed to the Brexit), uncertainty surrounds several key issues important to the tech community.
Engine Statement on House Passage of Email Privacy Act
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the widely supported, broadly bipartisan Email Privacy Act by a unanimous vote of 419-0. The bill would make long overdue updates to the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) to bring our digital privacy laws into the 21st century. Specifically, the bill would clarify that law enforcement must obtain a warrant—except in certain clearly defined emergencies—before accessing individuals’ electronic communications.