Tester fights government control of internet

Senator seeks to ensure ‘free flow of information’ ahead of international conference

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester is fighting government control of the internet to ensure that Montanans and other Americans can continue to freely exchange ideas and information without worrying about government invasion of privacy.

A U.N. agency is planning to update its international telecommunications regulations at a conference in December. Some agency members recently pushed to increase international control over the internet and could press for similar measures at the conference.

With many of those countries, including China and Russia, known for censoring the internet and restricting free speech, Tester is backing a bipartisan resolution calling on the Obama Administration to protect Americans’ personal freedoms and to keep the internet free from onerous government control.

“Montanans’ personal freedoms are too important to hand over to an international body,” Tester said. “Montanans use the internet to start small businesses, express their opinions, and stay connected to their communities. I’m not going to let the United Nations or any foreign country restrict our hard-earned rights.”

Tester’s bipartisan resolution calls on the Administration to promote a global internet free from government control. It highlights the “profound implications” that the United States’ support for the free flow of information has had for competition, trade, democratization, and free expression.

Tester, who has voted against the Patriot Act multiple times, also recently led the charge to block the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and backed a bill to protect Montanans from government overreach.

Tester’s bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.).

Senate Concurrent Resolution 50