Bill Overview
Title: Internet Freedom and Operations (INFO) Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes certain Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and U.S. Agency for Global Media activities to promote internet freedom and support technologies for circumventing foreign government restrictions on internet access.
Sponsors: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in countries with internet limitations
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill involves promoting internet freedom and supporting technologies for circumventing foreign government restrictions on internet access.
- It targets individuals in foreign countries where governments impose strict restrictions on internet freedom.
- The legislation mainly concerns individuals who face online censorship and restrictions from their governments.
Reasoning
- Since the INFO Act aims to serve populations outside the US, the direct impact on Americans will be quite negligible.
- However, there may be indirect impacts on certain groups like organizations involved in internet freedom advocacy, tech companies, and university students with international ties.
- People in the tech industry or academia might see indirect effects through increased collaboration or demand for circumventing technologies.
- Most average Americans may only be aware of the policy in discussions about digital rights or international policy rather than direct changes to their daily internet use.
Simulated Interviews
Tech Entrepreneur (Silicon Valley, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy indirectly benefits my business as there's potential for increased demand for VPNs.
- The promotion of internet freedom aligns with my personal and business values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
University Researcher (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing more international collaboration thanks to this policy.
- My work could gain more exposure and funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Journalist (New York City, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supportive of any policy that enhances global internet freedom.
- Interested in the potential global impact.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Happy about policies that might help my family access information.
- Feels proud about studying technologies that would support internet freedom.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Human Rights Lawyer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policies like this support my advocacy work.
- It resonates with my professional and personal commitment to human rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Retiree (Rural Ohio)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's good to hear about policies that promote freedom.
- Doesn't directly impact me but I'm glad it's happening.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Marketing Specialist (New York City, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our international clientele might benefit from this policy indirectly.
- Overall, it aligns well with our company values.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could boost interest in the software I'm developing.
- Potential for new partnerships.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited about potential research and policy discussions.
- Good step for global internet freedom.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Non-Profit Director (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any action to boost internet freedom globally also helps our advocacy work.
- It's a step forward in the right global direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $100000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $130000000)
Year 2: $105000000 (Low: $73500000, High: $136500000)
Year 3: $110250000 (Low: $77175000, High: $143325000)
Year 5: $121550000 (Low: $85085000, High: $157015000)
Year 10: $147410000 (Low: $103187000, High: $191633000)
Year 100: $356486000 (Low: $249540200, High: $462681800)
Key Considerations
- The bill focuses on promoting internet freedom globally, potentially enhancing U.S. foreign relations.
- Potential geopolitical implications and criticisms from foreign governments imposing internet restrictions.
- Risks associated with empowering foreign populations outside U.S. jurisdiction.