A new memo from Accountable Tech highlights Vice President and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris’s strong record on tech accountability, showing why donor pressure from tech executives and Silicon Valley investors is unlikely to change Harris’ approach to Big Tech. The memo features new polling from Accountable Tech and Data For Progress that finds an overwhelming majority of U.S. voters support Harris in calling for Big Tech accountability.
The poll – which surveyed 1,162 likely U.S. voters from July 26 to 29 – found that voters would overwhelmingly approve of Harris embracing a wide range of tech accountability measures on the campaign trail. This includes support for kids’ online safety; protection of users’ personal health information; requiring AI companies to implement safety guidelines; and allowing online platforms to be liable for harmful content shared on their platforms. Additionally, a majority of voters across party lines approve of Harris supporting robust antitrust legislation and leaving tech executives out of advising on major policy decisions.
“Unsurprisingly, the American people are strongly in favor of a pro-consumer agenda, including reining in Big Tech monopolies, prioritizing kids safety online, and commonsense safeguards around AI,” said Nicole Gill, Accountable Tech Co-Founder and Executive Director. “This poll shows that voters want Vice President Kamala Harris to continue advocating for a tech agenda that puts the safety and privacy of consumers over Big Tech’s profits, on the campaign trail and in the White House.”
Memo and poll toplines are as follows:
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80% of voters (+66%) approve of Harris requiring social media companies to protect children’s safety and privacy online. Harris publicly endorsed passage of the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act.
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78% of voters (+ 63%) would approve of Harris requiring online platforms to better protect users’ personal health information. As Attorney General and Senator, Harris has pushed tech companies on data privacy, and she has raised concerns around reproductive privacy post-Roe.
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72% of voters (+53%) would support Harris requiring AI companies implement safety guidelines and third-party testing on their products. As VP, Harris has led the administration’s efforts to warn against AI threats and develop AI regulation.
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63% of voters (+37%) across party lines approve of Harris supporting robust antitrust legislation and 61% approve (+33%) leaving tech executives out of advising on major policy decisions. Harris has underscored the need for stronger antitrust enforcement, calling Big Tech, “Essentially a utility that has gone unregulated. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s got to stop.”
