Free Press Releases 2016 Internet Voter Guide

Free Press released what it’s calling the 2016 Internet Voter Guide about the presidential election. “The Internet Voter Guide shows that some presidential candidates care more about their campaigns’ digital operations than about the digital rights and needs of Americans across the country,” said Free Press President Craig Aaron. The guide includes a chart comparing the positions for Democratic and Republican presidential contenders on issues such as net neutrality, encryption policy and affordability. The guide underscores some established partisan divides on telecom policy. “All three Republican contenders have come out against the FCC’s open Internet rules,” Free Press said of the platforms on net neutrality. “Both Democratic candidates have advocated for enforcing strong Net Neutrality rules.” Industry consolidation was an issue where Democrats staked out opposition, Free Press said: “Only a few candidates have declared any position on runaway media consolidation, which has led to skyrocketing costs for consumers as competition for services has dwindled. Both Democratic candidates have fought industry consolidation.” Free Press said no candidate of either party has backed “strong pro-consumer encryption measures.”