Computer And Communications Industry Association

TO FURTHER THE INTERESTS OF THE INDUSTRIES SERVED BY OUR MEMBER COMPANIES IN BEING THE LEADING ADVOCATE PROMOTING OPEN, BARRIER-FREE COMPETITION IN THE OFFERING OF COMPUTER AND COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WORLDWIDE.

THE ASSOCIATION MOBILIZED AGAINST THE AMERICAN INNOVATION AND CHOICE ONLINE ACT (AICOA - H.R. 3816 AND S. 2992) IN THE 117TH CONGRESS. INTRODUCED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, AICOA WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE BREAK UP OF LEADING AMERICAN DIGITAL SERVICES INCLUDING CCIA MEMBER COMPANIES. PASSAGE OF AICOA WOULD HARM AMERICAN INNOVATION, ADVANCE CHINA IN THE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR, AND BREAK AMERICAN PRODUCTS AND COMPANIES LOVED BY CONSUMERS. THE ASSOCIATION CONDUCTED AN EXTENSIVE DIRECT ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN, PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZEN EDUCATION EFFORTS ABOUT THE DANGEROUS COMPONENTS OF AICOA. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO CONDUCTED DISCUSSIONS AND ADVOCACY WITH LAWMAKERS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING BY ORGANIZING AN INDUSTRY COALITION LETTER, A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS INCLUDING ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, AND HOSTED A FULL DAY EVENT THAT FEATURED SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION OF AICOA. THE ASSOCIATION'S EFFORTS WERE REFERENCED DURING OPEN COMMITTEE HEARINGS, AND WERE CITED AS WHY FEWER SENATORS CO-SPONSORED AICOA DURING THE 118TH CONGRESS.

THE ASSOCIATION SERVED AS CO-PLAINTIFF IN TWO FEDERAL LAWSUITS, FLORIDA SB 7072 AND TEXAS HB 20. THE LAWSUITS WOULD FORCE DIGITAL SERVICE COMPANIES TO DISPLAY THIRD-PARTY CONTENT AND MAKE REGULAR DISCLOSURES OF THEIR CONTENT MANAGEMENT POLICIES, PRACTICE, AND INSTANCES OF USE. THE LAWSUITS WOULD PREVENT DIGITAL SERVICES FROM EXERCISING THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO DETERMINE WHAT, WHEN, AND HOW TO DISPLAY CONTENT. IN MAY THE US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE ELEVENTH CIRCUIT FOUND THAT SEVERAL PARTS OF SB 7072 "UNCONSTITUTIONALLY BURDEN" FREE SPEECH, AFFIRMING A FLORIDA FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT'S DECISION TO BLOCK SB 7072 FINDING THAT IT INFRINGES DIGITAL SERVICES' FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS. ALSO IN MAY, THE ASSOCIATION FILED A PETITION FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF WITH THE US SUPREME COURT TO STOP A DECISION BY THE US COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT TO REVERSE A LOWER COURT'S DECISION TO ENJOIN MOST OF HB 20 BASED ON SIMILAR FIRST AMENDMENT CONCERNS. THE COURT GRANTED THAT RELIEF. THE ASSOCIATION'S EFFORTS STOPPED THE "MUST CARRY' STATUTES FROM BECOMING EFFECTIVE, AND IS TAKING THESE CHALLENGES TO THE SUPREME COURT.

THE ASSOCIATION IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INDUSTRY OPPOSITION TO A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION AIMED AT FORCING LARGE TECH COMPANIES TO CONTRIBUTE EUR 20B ANNUALLY TOWARD NETWORK INVESTMENTS. THE ASSOCIATION SPOKE AT MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDER EVENTS; MET WITH SENIOR EU LAWMAKERS, REGULATORS, AND NATIONAL OFFICIALS; COMMISSIONED NUMEROUS STUDIES, INCLUDING AN ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF TECH COMPANIES' INVESTMENT ON THE ECONOMICS OF BROADBAND ISPS AND A REPORT DETAILING HOW AN INTERNET TRAFFIC TAX WOULD HARM EUROPE'S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION; ORGANIZED EVENTS AROUND THE LAUNCH OF SAID STUDIES AND ADDITIONAL SUBSTANTIVE EVENTS; AND EXECUTED MEDIA CAMPAIGNS. AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THESE EFFORTS, FORMAL LEGISLATION HAS NOT YET BEEN PROPOSED.