The 2024 US presidential election has led to a shift in policy that is slowing down the adoption of technology, with both parties silent on plans to invest in or implement cybersecurity strategies.
And while the Republican Party has taken a more hands-off approach to technology, the Democratic platform appears to have benefited from growing bipartisan support for tougher regulations on tech giants — a position overwhelmingly supported by American voters.
The Democratic manifesto contained only two mentions of cybersecurity. One promised to combat hate crimes and cyber threats, while the other focused primarily on addressing cyber threats rather than harnessing the technological momentum.
Managing the risks of AI
The platform notes that the party’s candidate “will continue to tackle cyber threats by strengthening the capabilities of our intelligence services and taking the lead in developing the rules of the game for technologies such as artificial intelligence.”
The platform identified the potential “promises and dangers” of artificial intelligence and pledged to invest in the safe and secure development of AI, while banning voice impersonation and mitigating the risks of fraud, institutionalized bias and undermining democracy.
Earlier in 2024, Congress banned the use of Microsoft Copilot on government devices, citing the potential for sensitive data leaks. The White House also required all government agencies to have a AI Officer to help manage safety, security, civil rights and market competition.
Digital security
The Democratic platform did address online safety, particularly for children. The document raised concerns about the effects of social media on children’s mental health and well-being, and noted that the digital monopoly allows a select few tech companies to increasingly wield power over Americans’ daily lives.
The party stressed the need to hold big tech companies accountable for the harm they cause, particularly when they allow abuse and criminal behaviour to run rampant on their sites.
It promised to introduce legislation to ban technology companies from collecting personal data from children, ban advertising targeted at children and set stricter limits on the collection of all personal data.
Via Cyberscope