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It’s Day 24 of the partial government shutdown, and its effects are rippling through the technology sector.

As the longest shutdown in U.S. history drags on, it is increasingly impacting agencies that enforce vital protections for consumers in the digital age, which shield the public against everything from spam to privacy violations. And the technology companies themselves are not immune — their business plans could be derailed as the shutdown prevents agencies from responding to regulatory filings and causes delays in reviews of new devices.

The effect of the shutdown on the tech sector puts a fine point on the increasing interdependence of Washington and Silicon Valley. Though technologists have long tried to keep an arms distance from policymakers and regulators, here are some ways this industry can’t escape the reach of the stalemate between the White House and Democrats in Congress:

  1. The Federal Trade Commission is closed for business — tying up the federal agency responsible for policing Big Tech.
  2. The SEC is operating in a limited capacity — potentially stymying a rush of long-awaited tech companies to the public markets.
  3. Robo-call and identity theft victims are left in the lurch.
  4. The Federal Communications Commission isn’t certifying new devices heading to market.
  5. Stories of employees without paychecks could affect the government’s ability to recruit top tech and science talent.
  6. Dozens of government websites have been rendered insecure or inactive.

First published in The Washington Post by: By Cat Zakrzewski

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