ACM US Technology Policy Committee
ACM’s US Technology Policy Committee (USTPC) serves as the focal point for ACM's interaction with all branches of the US government, the computing community, and the public on policy matters related to information technology. The Committee regularly educates and informs Congress, the Administration, and the courts about significant developments in the computing field and how those developments affect public policy in the United States. Chaired by James Hendler of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USTPC's substantive work, which is entirely non-partisan and apolitical, is done largely through standing Subcommittees of dedicated volunteers and in coalition with other organizations.
The USTPC carries out its mission by responding to requests for authoritative technical expertise and guidance, publishing and distributing its materials, presenting findings at policy briefings, participating in public meetings, and engaging with a range of stakeholders. The Committee also advances public policy through educational programs and collaborations with other ACM policy entities, special interest groups, task forces, and committees.
Key Issues and Resources
ACM’s US Technology Policy Committee regularly produces data-driven, apolitical statements, reports and other materials on a wide range of computing-related policy issues. Current current key issues and resources include:
Coalitions, Consortia & Collaborators
ACM and its US Technology Policy Committee frequently benefit from and contribute to the work of both formal and informal alliances with other technology policy-oriented organizations. These include:
- American Medical Informatics Association
- CDT Digital Privacy and Security Working Group
- Code.org Advocacy Coalition
- Common Cause
- Computing Community Consortium
- Computing Research Association
- Electronic Privacy Information Center
- Future of Privacy Forum
- National Election Defense Coalition
- Partnership on AI
- Privacy Coalition
- R Street Institute
- Task Force on American Innovation
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U.S. Technology Policy Committee Leadership
- Chair
-
James Hendler
- Vice Chair
-
Alec Yasinsac
- Immediate Past Chair
-
Stuart Shapiro
- Former Chairs
- Charles Brownstein
-
Edward
Felten
-
Barbara
Simons
-
Eugene
Spafford
- Accessibility Subcommittee Chair
-
Harry Hochheiser
- AI & Algorithms Subcommittee Co-Chairs
-
Jeanna Matthews
-
Jonathan
Smith
- Digital Governance Subcommittee Chair
-
Daniel Weitzner
- Intellectual Property Subcommittee Chair
- Paul Hyland
- Law Subcommittee Chair
-
Andrew Grosso
- Privacy Subcommittee Chair
- Brian Dean
- Security Subcommittee Chair
- Patrick Traynor
- Voting Subcommittee Co-Chairs
- Jeremy Epstein
-
Barbara
Simons
- Members-at-Large
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Simson Garfinkel
- Europe Technology Policy Committee Chair, ex officio
-
Chris Hankin
- ACM CEO, ex officio
-
Vicki Hanson
- ACM COO, ex officio
- Pat Ryan
- ACM Director of Global Public Policy, ex officio
- Adam Eisgrau
Simons Named Chair of US Election Assistance Commission Committee on Election Security
Former ACM President Barbara Simons, who was also a founder of ACM's US Technology Policy Committee, has been appointed Chair of a special committee on election security with the US Election Assistance Commission (EAC). "I am very excited about the opportunity created by the appointment of a new committee of the EAC Board of Advisors on election security," Simons said.
ACM USTPC Expresses Concerns about Online Voting
ACM's US Technology Policy Committee (USTPC) is joining with organzations including the National Election Defense Coalition, R Street Institute, and Common Cause to release a report citing concerns on the security of internet and email voting. The report cites the increasing impact of cyberattacks on ballots in transit; malware on the voter’s computer/device; voter authentication; server attacks; and more. Recommendations include a return to paper ballots and other "low-tech" measures.
US Technology Policy Committee Chair, Jim Hendler
Chaired by James Hendler of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the ACM US Technology Policy Committee serves as the focal point for ACM's interaction with US government organizations, the computing community, and the US public in all matters of US public policy related to information technology. The Committee addresses issues in innovation, privacy, security, digital governance, intellectual property, accessibility, and e-voting.
