Democrats' Draft 2016 Platform Touts Net Neutrality, High-Speed Broadband
The 2016 Democratic Party draft platform advancing to a full platform committee consideration this week includes language on net neutrality, broadband infrastructure and data localization requirements. The full 187-member platform committee will review the 39-page document during a meeting in…
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Orlando Thursday and Friday and, once approved, the platform will be submitted for ratification at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia later this month. “Democrats support a free and open internet at home and abroad, and will oppose any effort by Republicans to roll back the historic net neutrality rules that the [FCC] enacted last year,” said the draft platform, released Friday. Democrats will “continue to support the expansion of high-speed broadband networks” and the creation of an independent national infrastructure bank to provide loans and other funding for broadband infrastructure investment, it said. The draft platform also said: “We will protect the intellectual property rights of artists, creators, and inventors at home and abroad. … Democrats will fight against unfair theft of intellectual property and trade secrets. We will also increase access to global markets for American intellectual property and other digital trade by opposing quotas, discriminatory measures, and data localization requirements.” A section on cybersecurity pledges Democrats will protect industry, infrastructure and government from cyberattacks, with strengthened security and an effort to “establish global norms in cyberspace” with “consequences on those who violate the rules,” all “while protecting the privacy and civil liberties of the American people.” Republicans haven't released their 2016 platform.