Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act; FREEDOM Act
Summary
The FREEDOM Act, officially the "Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act," mandates a report on internet freedom in Iran. The report, to be prepared by the Secretary of State in consultation with the FCC and the Treasury Department, will update a previous report and assess the feasibility of using various technologies to expand internet access for the Iranian people. It also includes analysis of potential risks and benefits associated with different communication technologies in Iran.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill, if enacted, would be the creation of a report assessing the feasibility of expanding internet access in Iran. This report could inform future policy decisions regarding technology and communications strategies related to Iran. Ultimately, it aims to support internet freedom for the Iranian people.
Potential Benefits
- Provides an updated assessment of internet freedom in Iran.
- Explores the feasibility of using new technologies to expand internet access.
- Analyzes potential risks and benefits of different communication technologies.
- Informs future policy decisions related to internet freedom in Iran.
- Could potentially improve access to information for the Iranian people.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The report itself does not guarantee any actual improvement in internet access for Iranians.
- The feasibility study may reveal significant obstacles or risks that limit the practicality of proposed solutions.
- The report's findings could be used to justify actions that are not necessarily beneficial to the Iranian people.
- The process of creating the report involves government resources and time, which could be used for other purposes.
- The report may contain classified information, limiting public access and scrutiny.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill itself does not directly implicate any specific constitutional provisions. However, the underlying goal of promoting internet freedom aligns with the First Amendment's principles of freedom of speech and expression, although these rights are not directly applicable to citizens of other countries. The act focuses on generating a report, which falls within the implied powers of Congress to gather information relevant to foreign policy.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).