Chairman's Roundtable: The Impact of Mass Surveillance on the Digital Econo...

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden, D-Ore., will hold a Chairman’s Roundtable with leadership from the technology industry including Dropbox, Facebook, Google, Greylock Partners and Microsoft on Wednesday, October 8 on the topic of “The Impact of Mass Surveillance on the Digital Economy”. In his first public forum in Silicon Valley as Chairman, Senator Wyden will examine how consumer and foreign government responses to U.S. mass surveillance programs are challenging U.S. innovation and global competitiveness.

It has been widely recognized that dragnet surveillance of electronic communications by U.S. intelligence agencies raises privacy concerns for millions of law-abiding people. But less attention has been paid to the immediate and future impact of these programs on the digital economy and exports of U.S. goods and services. Chairman Wyden, who has long advocated the importance of the U.S. taking a leading role in ensuring that the Internet remains an open platform for communication and commerce, will lead discussion on these issues during this roundtable.

Roundtable particpants include:

• Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden
• Eric Schmidt — Executive Chairman, Google
• Brad Smith — Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Microsoft
• Colin Stretch — General Counsel, Facebook
• Ramsey Homsany — General Counsel, Dropbox
• John Lilly — Partner, Greylock Partners

Follow the discussion on Twitter using #EndThisDragnet and watch the livestream on Senator Wyden's YouTube channel.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Options include street parking in the neighborhood behind Palo Alto High School or further at Stanford (directions here)

Who can I contact with any questions?

Please call Senator Wyden's press office at 202-224-3789.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

Nope! It just helps speed along the entry process if you do.