May 8 @ 12:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Join Mason’s Center for Assurance Research and Engineering (CARE), the Financial Technology & Cybersecurity Center (Center), Mason’s School of Business, and a group of experts to discuss potential transformative changes in how the Internet operates and who regulates it.
Thirty years after the Internet became an everyday part of life a battle has erupted over who has the right to set the rules for Internet activities. Should individual states be able to impose their standards on activities occurring in their locales, or should the Federal government set the rules for a nationwide medium? The program will address a series of state initiatives that raise major First Amendment, state police power and privacy issues:
- Florida and Texas laws intended to impose content-neutrality mandates on large social media platforms, which were the subject of oral argument before the Supreme Court in late February.
- Many states have, or may, enact laws intended to protect children from adverse effects of social media or access to adult websites through parental consent or age verification requirements.
- California in October 2023 set a course to empower its residents to generally prohibit data brokers from using data collected on them by making a single click on a delete button.
This battle is also playing out on a global basis as the U.K., E.U. and other international authorities seek to protect their citizens in a manner they consider appropriate.
There is no charge to attend the program either in person or via webinar. Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues.
The Race to Regulate the Internet:
Should States or the Federal Government Set the Rules forWebsite Content, Child Protection and Personal Data Control
May 8, 2024
12:30 – 5:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Live – George Mason University
Van Metre Hall, Arlington, Virginia
and via Webinar
Over the last several years, state governments, which had largely taken a hands-off approach to seeking to regulate Internet operations on a state-by-state basis, now, in many cases, have moved to impose significant prohibitions and restrictions on Internet platforms and users. This program will examine the strong views either favoring or opposing such state action either on legal or policy grounds and the implications that state level regulation may have on a national-wide medium.
Co-Chairs
Dr. Jean-Pierre Auffret
George Mason University’s Director, Research Partnerships, School of Business; Director, Center for Assurance Research and Engineering (CARE), College of Engineering & Computing
Thomas P. Vartanian
Executive Director of the Financial Technology & Cybersecurity Center
Author, The Unhackable Internet: How Rebuilding Cyberspace Can Create Real Security and Prevent Financial Collapse
AGENDA
12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Welcome and Overview
12:45 – 2:15 p.m. State Requirements Regarding Social Media Platform Contents
Acting on allegations that large social media platforms were engaging in viewpoint-based content discrimination, Florida and Texas have enacted laws that restrict their choices about whether and how to present user-generated content to the public, and to require individualized explanations of particular content-moderation decisions to affected persons. In late February the Supreme Court held oral argument in cases considering these laws. The Court will be considering the First Amendment rights of social media platforms to decide what and how they may decide to present user-generated content to the public, against arguments that the market power of these platforms warrants state government viewpoint nondiscrimination requirements to protect the public’s First Amendment rights, or that important state interest regarding the protection of minors, the protection of individual privacy interests and combatting illegal activity require states to be given reasonable leeway to regulate large social media platforms.
- Adam Candeub – Professor of Law & Director of the Intellectual Property, Information & Communications Law Program, Michigan State University Law School
- Michael Cheah – Advisor, The Internet Works
- Josh Divine – Missouri Solicitor General
- Stephanie Joyce – Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President, Computer & Communications Industry Association
- John Morris – Principal, U.S. Internet Policy and Advocacy, Internet Society
2:15 – 2:25 p.m. Break
2:25 – 3:55 p.m. State Age Verification and Parental Consent Requirements Intended to Protect Children; Federal Development; View from the UK
The impact of social media and other websites on the mental health of minors has been receiving increasing attention by public officials, researchers and the public at large. Over the last two years, numerous states have either enacted or are considering laws that would either (i) require age verification for access to adult content websites, or (ii) require parental consent for minors’ access to social media platforms. This process is raising concerns regarding the impact of such laws on the First Amendment rights of adults and children, as well as the technical feasibility and privacy implications of available online verification protocols. It also appears increasingly likely that Congress may pursue legislative efforts to protect children from harmful impacts of internet activity.
- Robert Coles – Head of Security Strategy, D S Smith, Former Chief Information Security Officer – Merrill Lynch, National Grid, GlaxoSmithKline
- Julia Mahoney – John S. Battle Professor of Law, University of Virginia School of Law
- Michael McKell – Utah State Senator
- Carl Szabo – Vice President & General Counsel of Net Choice
3:55 – 4:05 p.m. Break
4:05 – 5:20 p.m. State Restrictions on Data Broker Use of Consumer Information
A California law enacted in October 2023 has put a spotlight on potential restrictions on data brokers’ ability to assemble and sell information on individuals. Under the new law California residents will ultimately be able to click a single online delete button that would direct all covered data brokers to delete information regarding an individual who takes such action. Information about individuals obtained from data brokers plays a large role in how the internet ecosphere functions and widespread opt-outs could broadly impact current industry operations. This development could lead to further similar state actions or spur legislative or regulatory action at the federal level.
- Alysa Hutnik – Partner, Kelly Drye
- Christopher Oswald – Executive Vice President, Head of Law, Ethics & Government Relations, Association of National Advertisers
- Michael Signorelli, Partner, Venable LLP
- Hayley Tsukayama – Associate Director of Legislative Activism, Electronic Frontier Foundation
5:20 – 5:30 p.m. Conclusion and Audience Comments
Mason’s College of Engineering and Computing hosts the Center for Assurance Research & Engineering Center (CARE). CARE’s multidisciplinary approach to cybersecurity encompasses the fields of technology, policy, business and leadership. Through partnerships with government and private industry, innovative research is translated into practices and policies used in real-world settings. Research includes security for distributed systems, mobile apps/devices, industrial control systems, and new technologies such as networked medical devices, as well as policies development for securing critical infrastructure and guidance for cybersecurity leadership/governance. For more information, please visit care.gmu.edu
The Financial Technology & Cybersecurity Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brings together financial services professionals, regulators, trade association representatives, consumer group representatives, counsel and advisors to discuss, debate, and advocate in regard to financial technology and cybersecurity issues and their regulation. For more information about the Center and to sign up to hear about future events and projects visit fintsc.org