Barack Obama & The Tech Sector

Yesterday we finally received our president-elect, and he is Barack Obama. Millions undoubtedly stayed tuned into their various news stations to usher in a new era in American history. So, now that it’s happened, what can we look forward to? Well, Obama has released an official document stating his positions in the tech sector.

If you’d like to read it yourself, here is the link.

There’s quite a bit of vague political rhetoric, so I’ll try and sift through it to bring you the major points.

One of the first things mentioned in Obama’s tech policy statement is net neutrality. He specifically mentions ISP’s, and being able to stop them from charging fees for certain content to be featured over another.

“Barack Obama supports the basic principle that network providers should not be allowed to charge fees to privilege the content or applications of some web sites and Internet applications over others. This principle will ensure that the new competitors, especially small or non-profit speakers, have the same opportunity as incumbents to innovate on the Internet and to reach large audiences.”

The next major point that Obama makes, is to strengthen the Federal Trade Commision’s budget. According to Obama, it’s there we’ll find the means to battle cyber-criminals specifically on an international basis.

“Obama will increase the Federal Trade Commission’s enforcement budget and will step up international cooperation to track down cyber-criminals so that U.S. law enforcement can better prevent and punish spam, spyware, telemarketing and phishing intrusions into the privacy of American homes and computers.”

Yet, further through even more rhetoric (you gotta love political statements) we find how Obama wants to change the defition of broadband. Specifically changing the speeds that’s currently considered ‘broadband’.

“The Federal Communications Commission today defines “broadband” as an astonishingly low 200 kbps. This distorts federal policy and hamstrings efforts to broaden broadband access. Obama will define “broadband” for purposes of national policy at speeds demanded by 21st century business and communications.”

To me the largest, and most influential piece of Obama’s tech policy is the inception of the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). I think it’s here that Obama will find his largest divide among the population. According to Obama the CTO will be in charge of overseeing the technology used within our federal government.

The divide of course will be, if people think it’s necessary for tax dollars to be spent in such a fashion.

“Obama will appoint the nation’s first Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to ensure that our government and all its agencies have the right infrastructure, policies and services for the 21st century. The CTO will ensure the safety of our networks and will lead an interagency effort, working with chief technology and chief information officers of each of the federal agencies, to ensure that they use best-in-class technologies and share best practices.”

After reading Obama’s tech policy, what are your thoughts?