The original promise of the Internet as a decentralizing, democratizing tool has not been fulfilled. An internet economy controlled by Big Tech and built on commercializing personal data and attention has denied individuals control over their data and frayed the fabric of society, incumbent digital platforms have worsened a crisis of youth mental health, and the benefits of the internet that we see today represent only a fraction of its potential.
A new paradigm that empowers individuals, frees and connects people, and establishes durable and productive incentives is needed.
Delivering a People’s Internet is within reach in the next four years, through focus on policy and technology with broad support. There is an overwhelming, cross-partisan, international interest in a better internet.
The time is now to empower all Americans to take back control over our personal data from Big Tech—especially as AI rapidly advances. Establishing one national data privacy and security standard will restore every individual’s right to decide what we share about our own lives and limit abusive practices, which are particularly harmful to children and teens. I commend the leaders of Project Liberty for joining us in this fight and offering thoughtful solutions to counter Big Tech’s exploitation of our American values.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA)
Our Vision
The Policy Blueprint will help people reclaim:
Choice: People will control their data and online experiences through digital self-determination, making informed decisions about everything from their privacy and safety to which spaces they choose to participate in. This centers on people, not platforms, and protects personal data, not Big Tech profits.
Voice: People will have meaningful say in how their online communities operate through digital citizenship, creating platforms driven by societal value and transparency instead of corporate profits and black-box algorithms.
Stake: People will access the economics of the internet, giving them control and the ability to monetize their data through digital ownership. The platform-take-all business models are not equitable; the economic value from big data and network effects should be shared with those who generate it.
An internet that expands opportunity and empowers individuals is crucial to safeguarding democracy, fostering innovation, and ensuring a safe environment for our children. I commend Project Liberty’s efforts to provide policymakers with actionable steps to reclaim the internet’s promise.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA)
A Policy Template for the Next Four Years
This vision recognizes the need for an information ecosystem that is not dominated by a few powerful platforms, that is safe for kids and teens, puts citizens in control of their information, contributes to healthy democracies, and sustains a vibrant, competitive economy. To achieve this vision:
In Domestic Policy, fix Social Media to Open Up a New Internet Paradigm:
Affirm the right to data portability through FTC Rules and legislative amendments.
Develop/adopt an interoperability standard via a NIST-initiated process.
Ban targeted advertising to kids with a strict statutory prohibition.
Establish algorithmic visibility and opt-out with plain-English explanations.
Ensure kids and parents have immediate rights of deletion on minors’ content.
In U.S. Foreign Policy, Consolidate Consensus Around the Rights-First Internet Paradigm:
Recommit to a global internet that reflects democratic values through international standards.
Establish a rights-first digital trade regime with priority for rights-respecting commerce.
Unite Open Societies in harmonizing future-forward internet policies.
Harness foreign assistance for people-centric digital capacity-building.
Focus the US-EU digital relationship on concrete steps towards a unified market for rights-respecting platforms.
