Small businesses depend on online infrastructure

To the Times:

It’s impossible to ignore that discussions among policymakers have grown increasingly focused on technology issues, especially around content moderation. Important conversations are being had about how to best combat misinformation and hate speech online. But as some lawmakers advance policy proposals surrounding these conversations, it’s critical they acknowledge the potential unintended consequences for the small business community.

In Pennsylvania, COVID-19 forced 30 percent of all businesses to close, and far too many never reopened. But we would have lost countless more, especially minority-owned businesses like mine and many of my clients, if not for technology.

As COVID-19 restrictions paused inperson commerce, digital tools became critical for communicating with employees, engaging with customers, and sharing operational changes. In many instances, internet-enabled platforms even streamlined processes and launched new sales channels, helping businesses to even exceed pre-pandemic revenue levels.

Online infrastructure has become the backbone of mom-and-pop shops across the country, and the importance of these tools only continues to grow. Elected officials – in both Washington and Harrisburg – cannot afford to make hasty decisions on the tech policy landscape which has uplifted so many local businesses before and during the pandemic. Disruptions to that landscape could very well impact access to the platforms our small businesses have depended on through the pandemic.