Congress: don’t dismantle small businesses’ digital safety net
Some lawmakers are ignoring the millions of small businesses that use free and innovative tools and services supported by American technology platforms that may be collateral damage if overregulation makes digital tools more expensive or less effective.
Here are some real-life small business impacts of S. 2992 “big is bad” legislation:
May force platforms to end free services and increase prices of today’s affordable digital tools, resulting in less accessible and more expensive tools and services, and creating costs and difficulties for small businesses trying to reach new customers.
Could outlaw platforms’ ability to elevate their own services and products over similar ones provided by competitors, forcing Google Search to ban Google Business Profiles, Google Maps, and YouTube videos in search results, though these are tools that small businesses utilize for their business and are able to keep updated efficiently for free.
May force Amazon to close its Marketplace to small businesses causing them to lose access to a valuable channel to reach customers nationwide. Because the legislation’s huge fines and crippling restrictions make it untenable to run a marketplace that hosts small businesses.
May force platforms to spin off into several independent companies, robbing small businesses of the benefits platforms provide: affordability, accessibility, ease of use, and rapid scalability.
Could force platforms to give broad access to third parties to sensitive customer information opening the door to major security and privacy issues.
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Issues
Trade
In today’s global economy, international trade is becoming more accessible to small businesses. The Internet easily allows growing companies to inexpensively and efficiently reach new customers, promote new and exciting products, and quickly share information worldwide. Digital trade and the rise of e-commerce have added value to data as a commodity that can be traded…
Data and Advertising Restrictions
In today’s highly competitive business environment, inexpensive digital advertising can be the difference between a small business that thrives and one that falters. Government restrictions on data usage could make advertising less nimble, less effective and more expensive. This threatens the ability of small business owners to attract new customers and build their company. Small…
Competition
Small businesses and technology platforms work together to drive economic growth, product innovation, and value for customers across the country. The value of partnerships between businesses, large and small, and powered by digital tools and technology, is felt in every aspect of life and every community across America. That’s why tens of millions of digitally…
Security
Companies that collect your data must treat it with care and respect. Still, it is difficult to translate this concept into laws that we know will impact millions of small business owners that rely on data to market and manage their companies. Policymakers considering proposals to restrict data collection must appreciate that anonymous data and…
Privacy
Privacy is a concern for consumers, including small business owners and their families. But overzealous laws that aim to address privacy can place costly burdens on small businesses and get in the way of what they do best: commerce and community. Enacting data privacy legislation that protects consumers, accounts for the complex digital ecosystem, and…
Research
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New Research: Online Marketplaces Help Level the Playing Field for Small Sellers
Small Business Sellers Value Online Tools and Marketplaces
Congress Isn’t Aligned with Small Business Priorities
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Many small businesses survived COVID-19. They might not survive Congress.
As Congress considers sweeping antitrust legislation to forcibly intervene in the digital economy, digitally-powered small businesses from around the country are making their voices heard.
Protect American Small Businesses
It’s time to tell lawmakers: don’t hurt small businesses that rely on digital tools.
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