Whether it is lifting net neutrality regulations, allowing AI to reach its full potential to benefit mankind, educating policy makers about content moderation, clearing legacy regulations at the Federal Communications Commission, advocating for greater spectrum efficiency, or defending business practices that benefit consumers but are disliked by antitrust enforcers, CEI punches above its weight. Coalition activity, relationships with tech and telecom journalists, media appearances, policy events, Capitol Hill outreach, op-eds, and in-depth studies combine to make CEI influential in the tech and telecom policy area.
Tech and Telecom Issue Areas
Featured Posts
News Release
Market-based Reforms Needed to Correct Failures of Universal Service Subsidies, Congress Urged to Act
A new report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) highlights the pervasive failures of the Universal Service Fund (USF) subsidies and calls on Congress…
Blog
Good things happen when spectrum is allocated to the marketplace
There has been recent legislative activity on spectrum allocation, so it is a good time to remind ourselves why moving as much spectrum as…
Blog
For the sake of user privacy, keep Google search remedies narrow and germane
The movement in the Biden and Trump administrations of antitrust officials away from consumer welfare and towards a federal judiciary of active regulation is on…
Search Posts
Products
CEI Planet: June – July 2008
View the new Montly Planet by downloading the PDF of the issue. Below you’ll find previews of the articles in this issue:…
Newsletter
Online Gambling, Fannie Mae Bailout and WTO
Congressman Barney Frank sponsors legislation to legalize online gambling. President Bush endorses the taxpayer bailout of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. India raises…
Blog
XM-Sirius to Finally Be Approved
It’s about time. The XM-Sirius merger will go through, as the FCC finally gets the third commissioner on board. But now, in addition…
Op-Eds
Corporate Welfare for XM/Sirius Competitors?
Wayne Crews and Ryan Young argue that terrestrial radio's opposition shows that a merger between Sirus and XM will benefit consumers.
Blog
DNS Redirect Hubbub
When you try looking up a website that doesn’t actually exist, you generally receive an error message from your browser. But if you use the…
Blog
Take-Down Notices for Fair Use
My colleague Sam Glaser and I have been discussing this article at Ars about take-down notices for fair use. Apparently, Universal’s practice has been…
Newsletter
Banking Crisis, Globalization and Internet Poker
Federal officials charge that a letter from Sen. Chuck Schumer sparked the run on deposits that triggered the second-largest bank collapse in U.S. history this…
Newsletter
Bank Failure, Offshore Oil Drilling and Online Gambling
The multi-billion dollar failure of IndyMac bank in California fuels calls for greater government regulation of financial institutions. President Bush lifts the White House ban…
Blog
Downloading not Hurting DVD Sales
Ars reports that DVD and Blu-Ray sales are up during the first half of 2008, compared to the first half of 2007. Rentals are…
Study
Can Someone Deal Internet Poker a Good Hand?
Recent attempts to reform the legal environment for online gaming fall short.
Op-Eds
The Risks of Gambling Regulation
When trade emissaries from the European Union arrive in Washington later this month to talk to officials in Congress, the Justice Department, and…
Blog
Cuomo Seeks More Newsgroup Bans
Hans reported earlier on New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s “voluntary” agreement with some ISPs to ban newsgroups in a misguided effort to stamp…
Newsletter
The Cost of Government, Cell Phone Fees and the Housing Bailout
American for Tax Reform prepares to observe “Cost of Government Day.” Verizon settles a lawsuit over its “early termination” fees for mobile phone customers. The…
Newsletter
Internet Privacy, Greenhouse Gases and Offshore Drilling
Senators hear testimony on the privacy implications of online advertising. Developing nations reject the plan for cutting greenhouse gases created by leaders of the “Group…
Comment
Testimony before the Senate Commerce Committee on the Privacy Implications of Online Advertising
Privacy dilemmas are inevitable on the frontiers of an evolving information era, but CEI maintains that competitive approaches to online privacy and security will be…
Blog
Mobile Internet Becoming a Growing Force
According to a new report from Nielsen Mobile, the US leads the world in mobile internet consumption, with 15.6% of cell phone subscribers…
Citation
Federal Privacy Laws
Citation
Federal Privacy Laws
Citation
Federal Privacy Laws
Blog
Wireless Kills Birds, Birds Kill Wireless?
Ars editorializes today about bird deaths caused by wireless communication towers. Apparently, bird groups such as the National Audobon Society, Defenders of Wildlife,…
Newsletter
Free Trade, Satellite Radio and Lead Paint in Court
A free trade agreement with Colombia continues to be stalled in Congress. Democratic senators continue to hold up approval of the merger of XM and…
Op-Eds
ACLU is a principled defender of civil liberties
ACLU is a principled defender of civil liberties Re: “ACLU failing in defense of civil liberties at a vital time,”…
Blog
Clever Method for Defeating Chinese Filters
The Wall Street Journal reports on a clever method Chinese bloggers have been using to get around automatic keyword-based censorship programs that China uses…
Citation
Cell Phone Termination Fees
Citation
Reluctance in the senate to back housing bill finger printing provision
Blog
Google Tries Contextual Ads
The New York Times reports today that Google is now displaying ads on its search results page that are relevant to not just the…
Newsletter
Gun Rights, the Fairness Doctrine and Internet Gambling
The Supreme Court strikes down the Washington, D.C. ban on handgun ownership. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces support for the “Fairness Doctrine” in broadcast regulation.
Citation
a Proposed Federal Fingerprint Registry
Newsletter
Fingerprints, Obscenity and Foreign Investment
The Liberty Coalition releases an open letter opposing a new federal fingerprint registry. Free speech advocates challenge local obscenity standards in Florida as hypocritical. Investments…
Newsletter
Credit Cards, Tax Increases and George Carlin
The Federal Trade Commission sues a credit card issuer that lowered credit limits after profiling its customers’ purchases. Political observers predict significant tax increases in…
News Release
Housing Bill Provision Harms Privacy, Says Diverse Coalition
Leaders of liberal, conservative, and libertarian policy groups – from the American Conservative Union to the American Civil Liberties Union – have banded together…
Newsletter
Fingerprints, Telecom Lawsuits and Al Gore’s Carbon Footprint
The Senate considers a bill creating a new federal fingerprint registry. The House of Representatives votes to shield telecom companies from lawsuits arising from the…
News Release
CEI Mourns the Passing of George Carlin
Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute mourns the loss of one of America’s greatest comedic talents, George Carlin. Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, remarked…
Op-Eds
Congress’s Fingerprint Fine Print
Senate passes a bill mandating the fingerprinting of real estate brokers and the creation of a national fingerprint database…
Newsletter
Offshore Oil Drilling, Fingerprint Requirements and the Impact of Clouds on Global Warming
President Bush urges Congress to overturn the federal ban on oil drilling off the shores of the U.S. Senators plan to vote on a housing…
Newsletter
Google, Ethanol and a Housing Trust Fund
Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX) grills Google on consumer privacy concerns. Gas prices dip slightly from their record high. The Senate considers a housing “rescue” bill.
Newsletter
The Fairness Doctrine, Windfall Profits and Recycling Mandates
Lawmakers clash over FCC broadcast regulation known as the “Fairness Doctrine.” Prominent politicians debate a windfall profits tax for oil companies. European lawmakers pass stringent…
Op-Eds
Rigid federal mandates hinder privacy technologies
Wayne Crews & Ryan Radia show how federal privacy laws are not only counterproductive, but hypocritical…
Blog
Feds Can Search Your Laptop Without Cause
Ars reports on a Ninth Circuit ruling that allows border police to search citizens’ laptops without cause. The decision treats laptops as the same…
Newsletter
Cell Phone Fees, Energy Policy and Child Porn Online
The Federal Communications Commission holds a hearing to investigate “termination fees” for customers who cancel their cell phone, cable or Internet contracts early. Amid concerns…
Op-Eds
Unfairness Doctrine
Cord Blomquist on government censorship of political speech and the possible revival of the "Fairness Doctrine"…
News Release
Cell Phone Fees – Fair or Unfair? The FCC Decides
Today the Federal Communications Commission will hear testimony on “early termination” fees for customers who cancel their mobile phone, cable or Internet service contracts…
Citation
Cell Phone Fees
Newsletter
Termination Fees, Windfall Profits and a Federal Wilderness Land-Grab
The Federal Communications Commission holds a hearing to investigate “termination fees” for customers who cancel their cell phone, cable or Internet contracts early. Senate Republicans…
Citation
Broadband Metering
Newsletter
Energy Legislation, Interest Rates and Futurism
The Senate prepares for a vote to end debate on major global warming legislation. The value of the dollar climbs slightly after the Federal Reserve…
Newsletter
Time Warner, Energy Prices and Biofuels
Time Warner begins metering its customers’ Internet usage. The Senate continues debate on major global warming legislation. International officials debate the causes of soaring food…
Citation
Viacom’s Suit Against YouTube
Newsletter
Vaclav Klaus, Fingerprint Registration and Free Trade
The Competitive Enterprise Institute publishes a new book by Czech president Václav Klaus on the future of environmental policy. The Senate Banking Committee approves a…
Op-Eds
Animated Aristophanes: The Idiot, The Oddity, but not Homer (Simpson)
About half way through its 12th season, South Park (Comedy Central, Wednesdays, 10 P.M. ET) has attacked, to take just the first five…
Newsletter
Hurricanes, ISPs and Family Law
Weather forecasters predict between six and nine storms in this year’s Atlantic hurricane season. Congress considers legislation that would regulate how Internet service providers manage…
Newsletter
Farm Subsidies, Media Ownership and Global Warming
The Senate approves major farm legislation with a veto-proof majority. The Senate votes to override the FCC and make media ownership regulations more strict. Sen.
Newsletter
Gas Prices, DEA and Telephone Trends
The AAA reports that record high gas prices might soon begin to fall. CEI launches the “Politics of Pain” campaign to end harassment of pain…
Newsletter
Financial Markets, Internet Ads and Immigration
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke sees turmoil in financial markets easing. New York legislators consider a bill to restrict online advertising. The Manhattan Institute releases…
Newsletter
Ethanol, Broadband and Consumer Safety
Momentum builds in Congress to repeal the mandate for use of corn-based ethanol in motor fuels. Comcast considers capping monthly Internet downloads and charging overage…
Newsletter
Satellite Radio, Gas Prices and the Credit Crunch
Sirius and XM Satellite await final government approval of their merger. Average gas prices rise to a new record high, prompting accusations of price gouging.
Newsletter
Sugar Subsidies, Housing and Video Games
An agreement over major farm legislation appears increasingly unlikely. President Bush threatens to veto a Democrat-sponsored housing bill. Controversial video game Grand Theft Auto IV…
Newsletter
National ID Cards, Green Hypocrisy and Insurance Subsidies
The Cato Institute hosts a policy forum on proposals to create a de facto national ID card. The Daily Mail profiles the hypocrisy of jet-setting…
Newsletter
Net Neutrality, Poultry Wars and Disaster Insurance
The House Telecommunications and Internet Subcommittee holds a hearing on proposed rules for “net neutrality.” The European Union refuses to lift a ban on the…
Citation
Internet Freedom Preservation Act
News Release
House Investigates Calls for “Net Neutrality”
Today the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Internet will hold a hearing on the Internet Freedom Preservation Act…
Newsletter
A Cooler Climate, Microsoft Drops Yahoo and Farm Subsidies
A new study in the journal Nature predicts a cooler climate than previously thought. Microsoft drops its bid to acquire Yahoo. Reporters identify more than…
Newsletter
The FCC Goes Local, Economic Woes and Gun Rights
Senators express concern over proposed FCC localism regulations. The U.S. economy avoids recession status with modest growth in the first quarter of 2008. A federal…
Newsletter
Online Privacy, Genetic Discrimination and Grand Theft Auto IV
Privacy advocates lobby for a “do-not-track” registry to regulate how online advertisers can target Internet users. The Senate passes the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act…
Comment
Comments Submitted to the Federal Communications Commission on Broadcast Localism
CEI Recommends Liberalizing Broadcast Industry…
Newsletter
Environmental Politics, Internet Gambling and Drug Imports
Regnery Publishing releases the new book The Really Inconvenient Truths: Seven Environmental Catastrophes Liberals Don't Want You to Know About--Because They Helped Cause Them. An…
Newsletter
Deforestation, Internet Regulation and Green Buildings
Senators probe the relationship between climate change and forests. FCC Chairman Kevin Martin tells a congressional hearing that there is no need for new Internet…
Newsletter
Earth Day, Net Neutrality and Beef Exports
Environmentalists around the world celebrate the 38th anniversary of Earth Day, crediting with helping launch the modern environmental movement. Senators hear testimony on future Internet…
The Business Journals
Can the F.C.C. Enforce “Network Neutrality?”
The Business Journals discusses net neutrality with Wayne Crews. "Elevating the principle of mandatory net neutrality above the principles of investor ownership and…
News Release
“Future of the Internet” at Stake in Senate
Tomorrow the Senate Commerce Committee assesses “The Future of the Internet.” Among the most controversial issues is proposed federal regulation of broadband network…
Newsletter
Energy Security, Local Broadcasting and Grocery Bags
Politicians call for the U.S. to achieve “energy independence”. Members of Congress caution the Federal Communications Commission against a new wave of broadcast regulation. Officials…
Blog
Legislators attack proposed FCC broadcasting rules
Over 120 members of Congress sent a letter to the FCC this week arguing against new localism mandates being considered by the Commission.
Newsletter
Financial Regulations, Greenhouse Gases and Microsoft’s Bid for Yahoo
The Treasury Department’s “blueprint” for overhauling financial regulation faces strong opposition. State governments across the country pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. News Corp. considers…
Newsletter
The Exaflood, Mortgage Bailouts and Bear Stearns
Rising demand for bandwidth-intensive Internet applications threatens to swamp existing network capacity. The Senate considers a bill to “rescue” the U.S. housing market. Senators investigate…
Blog
Wiretaps for Me, But Not for Thee
Congressman Jim McDermott, who cozied up to Saddam Hussein, opposes protecting phone companies from the multibillion dollar lawsuits that trial lawyers have brought against them for…
Blog
Some things are supposed to be private….
Anti-biotechnology activists managed to leverage sunshine laws in Europe to get the EU government to release research information that was supposed to be confidential.
Newsletter
Interest Rates, Video Games and an Economist Debate
Investors expect the Federal Reserve to enact a rare full percentage point cut in interest rates. A federal appeals court rules that Minnesota cannot fine…
Newsletter
Bandwidth Flood, Ethanol Victims and Insurance Mandates
Politicians debate the possibility of requiring Americans to purchase health insurance. Ethanol mandates continue to raise prices on agricultural producers around the country. Internet experts…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. HEALTHThe U.S. Department of Agriculture orders a recall of 143 million pounds of beef .CEI Expert…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. INTERNATIONAL President Bush receives praise for public health aid from crowds on his trip to Africa. CEI Expert Available…
News Release
CEI Files Comments on “Net Neutrality”
Washington, D.C., February 13, 2008—Today the Competitive Enterprise Institute filed public comments with the Federal Communications Commission, urging the commissioners not to regulate the…
News Release
Microsoft Could Go “Hostile” with Yahoo Offer
Washington, D.C., February 12, 2008—Yesterday, Microsoft announced that it “reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps” to present its buyout offer to Yahoo…
News Release
FTC Should Keep Mitts Off Microsoft-Yahoo Acquisition
Contact:Christine Hall , 202.331.2258 Washington, D.C., February 1, 2008— Microsoft announced today its offer to buy Yahoo! for $44 billion, a move that…
Blog
FCC on Indecency: Changing the Law After the Fact?
Language expert Bill Poser criticizes the Federal Communications Commission’s recent ruling that “ABC violated decency standards by briefly showing a woman’s naked buttocks,…
Op-Eds
Comcast in the Crosshairs
Despite Comcast's ascendancy, the cable provider remains vulnerable - yet its greatest threat is not from Baby-Bell competitors but from lawmakers in Washington, D.C.
News Release
State of the Union: Last Chance for Bush
Washington, D.C., January 28, 2008—As President Bush prepares to deliver his last State of the Union address before Congress, both the White House…
Op-Eds
Hillary’s (Video) Gamesmanship
Hillary Clinton's "It Takes a Village" approach means the Village, i.e. the government, ordering parents how to raise their kids through government mandates and regulation.
Op-Eds
FCC Leader Unnecessary
Kelley correctly concludes that there is a “vast wasteland” created by television. But while discussing her opinion, she ignores a few precious details: Waste…
News Release
Google-DoubleClick Deal Win-Win for Consumers
Washington, D.C., December 20, 2007―Today the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved Google’s acquisition of online advertising company DoubleClick, allowing the two to collaborate on…
Op-Eds
Free the Media
This story illuminates a disagreement about the state of traditional media ownership in the United States (“GAO report disputes FCC media data,” Dec. 18).
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TECHNOLOGY Antitrust regulators take additional time to review the proposed purchase by Google of Internet advertising firm…
Products
CEI Planet: November – December 2007
Full Document Available in PDF The Tiger at a…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. TECHNOLOGY Regulators in the UK lift the ban on a video game initially forbidden for graphic content.
Study
Politically Determined Entertainment Ratings and How to Avoid Them
Full Document Available in PDF When they…
Op-Eds
FCC auction won’t help public safety
The Mercury News (Editorial, Dec. 9)argued that the FCC’s auction of the airwaves would greatly aid public safety by creating a national broadband…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENVIRONMENT Senators vote to increase the severity of fuel economy regulations. CEI Expert Available to Comment:…
Op-Eds
Keep FCC’s hands off cable television
USA TODAY's story on re-regulating cable falls short (“FCC retreats on cable regulation plan,” Money, Wednesday). Since cable was deregulated by the Federal Communications…
Newsletter
CEI Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. ENVIRONMENT Shrinking deaths from weather disasters contradict predictions of extreme global warming. CEI Expert Available to…
Study
Promoting Healthy Biopharmaceutical Competition
Full Document Available in PDF The Hatch-Waxman Act, enacted by Congress 23 years ago,…
Newsletter
Daily Update
Issues in the News 1. BIOTECHNOLOGY Possible regulatory reform at the Food and Drug Administration. CEI Expert Available to Comment: Senior…
Staff & Scholars
Jessica Melugin
Director of the Center for Technology & Innovation
- Antitrust
- Innovation
- Media, Speech and Internet Freedoms
Clyde Wayne Crews
Fred L. Smith Fellow in Regulatory Studies
- Business and Government
- Consumer Freedom
- Deregulation
Fred L. Smith, Jr.
Founder; Chairman Emeritus
- Automobiles and Roads
- Aviation
- Business and Government