WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Generation Opportunity joined the Internet Independence Coalition, an online campaign to build grassroots support for the restoration of Internet Independence: the freedom to create, express, and innovate online without asking for permission. Generation Opportunity’s endorsement follows that of the Niskanen Center, American Commitment, Protect Internet Freedom, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, MediaFreedom.org, Less Government, and the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

The website allows visitors to sign a petition in support of the principles of Internet independence, including permissionless innovation, unfettered competition, and privacy. The declaration will be sent to the signers’ representatives in Congress.

Generation Opportunity spokeswoman Patrice Lee issued the following statement:

The Internet differentiates the Millennial generation from all of those that came before us. It has led to advances in life-altering technology and economic development. The advent of the Internet has spurred the globalization of human knowledge and interconnectedness. But, unfortunately, politicians in D.C. are pursuing policies that stifle innovation.

In order to foster the advancement of the Internet, Washington should encourage competition and choice while protecting digital privacy rights. Generation Opportunity is excited to work with the Internet Independence Coalition to restore these principles.

The Declaration of Internet Independence reads:

The Internet is the greatest free-market success story in history. What began as a government-funded research project took off only when private entrepreneurs were freed to invest and innovate. … Internet independence brought us unprecedented prosperity and freedom, but we can’t trust the FCC to write the next chapter. Tell Congress to restore Internet Independence!

The petition also lays out the six principles of Internet independence:

  • Permissionless Innovation: The freedom to create, express, and innovate online without having to ask for permission.
  • Competition: The ideal way to ensure consumers get the best prices, speeds and services from Internet access providers.
  • Consumer Protection: Keep us safe from truly harmful practices online without giving regulators a blank check to smother innovation before it happens.
  • Access: Encourage the investment needed to bring Internet access to the four billion people who don’t yet have it — and to keep upgrading it for everyone everywhere.
  • Separation of Net & State: Cut red tape at the federal, state and local levels to allow private providers to cheaply deploy fiber and other new Internet access technology.
  • Privacy: Quit snooping on the innocent! Government surveillance must require a warrant, probable cause and due process.

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We can be reached for comment at media@techfreedom.org.

TechFreedom leads a group of investors and entrepreneurs intervening against the FCC in pending litigation in the DC Circuit. The “Internet Independence Intervenors” include cloud service provider CARI.net and entrepreneurs Scott Banister, Jeff Pulver, Daniel Berninger, Charles Giancarlo, David Frankel, and Wendell Brown — all of whom all harmed by the FCC’s radical re-interpretation of the Communications Act to claim sweeping new powers in the Open Internet Order issued in February.

About Generation Opportunity:

Generation Opportunity is a national, non-partisan organization advocating for economic opportunity for young people through less government and more freedom.

 

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