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Kamala Harris on Technology

Democratic candidate for President (withdrawn); California Senator

 


Focus on winning the race on A.I. and quantum computing

HARRIS: A policy about China should be in making sure the United States of America wins the competition for the 21st century. Which means focusing on the details of what that requires, focusing on relationships with our allies, focusing on investing in American based technology so that we win the race on A.I. and quantum computing, focusing on what we need to do to support America's workforce, so that we don't end up having the on the short end of the stick in terms of workers' rights.
Source: ABC News 2024 Presidential debate in Philadelphia , Sep 10, 2024

$90 billion to address barriers to internet access

Every person in America should be able to access affordable, high-speed internet no matter where they live or how much they earn. We made the largest investment in affordable, high-speed internet in history with $90 billion to address barriers to internet access. That includes helping 23 million families through our Affordable Connectivity Program.

Today, we are finalizing a rule to allow schools and libraries--primarily in low-income and rural areas--to use funding from the E-Rate program for Wi-Fi hotspots that will increase access to virtual library services. Our Administration [will award] more than $1.4 billion [via the] State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, which will help millions of families access internet that is fast, affordable, & reliable. This is essential in the 21st century--from ensuring our students can do their homework and that parents can find a good-paying job, to making sure our communities' small business owners can use the internet to run their business.

Source: Vice Presidential 2024 press release: "High-Speed Internet" , Jun 26, 2024

Millions in capital to promote digital inclusion in Africa

FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Announces Public and Private Sector Commitments to Advancing Digital Inclusion in Africa:

The Vice President said that the United States is committed to build collaborations between public and private industries to increase digital inclusion on the continent of Africa. She said the United States will "double down" on our effort to mobilize millions of dollars in public and private capital from the United States, Africa, and around the world to increase digital inclusion.

She has focused her efforts on digital inclusion because Africa's digital ecosystem has great potential to promote economic opportunity, advance social equality and gender equality, and create jobs. Africa's digital transformation has opened new markets for U.S. exports and services; and deepened partnership among African governments, the U.S. private sector, educational institutions, and the African diaspora.

Source: Vice Presidential 2024 press release: "Digital Inclusion" , May 24, 2024

Space4All: benefits of space industry to all communities

Under Vice President Harris's leadership of the National Space Council, the US is continuing to steward the responsible and sustainable use of space to protect our national security interests, address the climate crisis, foster a thriving commercial space sector, and more. In 2022, the Vice President announced commitments to inspire, prepare, and employ the space workforce and ensure the US' future in space remains strong. Today, the Vice President issued a call to action for both the private and public sectors to bring the benefits of space to communities across our Nation.

Space4All: To strengthen US space collaboration and increase public engagement, this 5-year awareness campaign [will] raise public understanding of the benefits of space for life on Earth. This campaign will convey the importance of everyone participating in and benefiting from the space enterprise and increase public awareness of the opportunities and pathways to success in space and STEM-related education and careers.

Source: Vice Presidential 2024 press release: "Benefits of Space" , Apr 8, 2024

Address risks from use of AI & monitor impact on public

Today, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the first government-wide policy to mitigate risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and harness its benefits. President Biden's landmark AI Executive Order directed sweeping action to strengthen AI safety and security, protect Americans' privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, advance American leadership around the world, and more:
Source: White House Vice Presidential 2024 press release: "OMB" , Mar 28, 2024

Don't ban TikTok, but national security concerns with owner

We do not intend to ban TikTok. We need to deal with the owner, and we have national security concerns about the owner of TikTok, but we have no intention to ban TikTok. In fact, what it serves, in terms of it's an income generator for many people, what it does in terms of allowing people to share information in a free way and a way that allows people to have discourse is very important. But we do have concerns about the national security implications of the owner of TikTok.
Source: ABC This Week on 2024 Democratic Veepstakes , Mar 24, 2024

Return to the Moon, then travel to Mars

For decades, America has led the world in space exploration due, in no small part, to our courageous astronauts. As Chair of the National Space Council, I congratulate the ten outstanding Americans who make up NASA's latest class of astronauts.

This diverse group of leaders from across our country will become a part of the next generation of space explorers who will break new barriers, including walking on the Moon as part of the Artemis campaign and traveling to Mars. They understand that, in this new era of space exploration, we must harness the many ways in which space can benefit the American people, all of humanity, and Earth.

As we celebrate this latest class of astronauts, the United States will continue to lead the return to the Moon with our commercial and international partners for scientific discovery, economic and societal benefits, and inspiration for a new generation of explorers.

Source: White House Vice Presidential 2024 press release: "NASA" , Mar 5, 2024

Same rules for everyone; Twitter should shut down Trump

We're talking about a grave injustice when rules apply to some but not equally to all. In particular when the rules that apply to the powerless don't apply to the powerful. Senator Warren, when I called on Twitter to suspend Donald Trump's account that you did not agree. I would urge you to join me because Donald Trump is using that platform as the president of the United States to openly intimidate witnesses, to threaten witnesses, to obstruct justice. He and his account should be taken
Source: October Democratic CNN/NYTimes Primary debate , Oct 15, 2019

All electric cars and school buses by 2045

Q: At a rally in Atlanta earlier this year you said, "Without much change to your lifestyle we could confront climate change." Is that realistic that as regular Americans we don't have to make many sacrifices?

HARRIS: I'm not saying there won't be any change but part of my perspective on this is I've actually seen what's possible when leaders lead. I've seen how in California we put in place some of the toughest, smartest laws and required changes in behavior and we saw outcomes. And I don't think anybody who has lived in California over all those years would say there was any drastic change to their lifestyle. Yes, they may say "well, I'm now driving a car that I can't really hear sometimes." You know, that Prius, right?

Q: S

Source: CNN Climate Crisis Town Hall marathon (10 Democrats) , Sep 4, 2019

We're very vulnerable to cyber threats

The previous head of the Department of Homeland Security designated our elections infrastructure as critical infrastructure of the United States. As critical as our electrical grids, as critical as our financial, right? And it has been attacked. We have got to do a better job of securing our infrastructure as it relates to our power grids, as it relates to what is going on in terms of our medical systems, what is going on in terms of our financial systems. We're very vulnerable to cyber threats.
Source: Meet the Press interview for Democratic 2020 Veepstakes , Aug 11, 2019

Cybersecurity crucial to protect elections & infrastructure

Cyberattacks can take a number of forms, but usually to our critical infrastructure. We are vulnerable in terms of our electrical grids, in terms of the systems that hold together our financial systems, our medical care systems. We have got to pay greater attention. I have a bipartisan bill designed to strengthen states' election systems to prevent the next attack. The leader in the Senate will not put it on the floor for a vote. As president that will be one of my number-one issues.
Source: CNN Town Hall 2020: 5 candidates back-to-back , Apr 22, 2019

Improve transportation infrastructure in rural communities

The California senator said she's committed to shoring up rural communities, a message the Democratic presidential hopeful shared with voters in some of the most sparsely populated parts of the early voting state of South Carolina.

Harris told a crowd of several hundred gathered in tiny St. George that a national infrastructure of crumbling roads and bridges makes it difficult for people in communities like this one to get to their jobs, which may be miles and miles away.

Harris also said she wants to make changes to rural hospital funding, tweaks that she hopes will lead fewer health care facilities in such areas to close.

Source: Sacramento Bee on 2019 SXSW conference , Mar 9, 2019

Secure Elections Act: prevent foreign interference

Given Russia's unprecedented effort to undermine confidence in our election system. There's no question that the Kremlin is emboldened--to try again.

James Lankford and I were the only members of the Senate who served on both the Homeland Security and Intelligence Committees. As such, we were uniquely suited to come together in a nonpartisan way to develop legislation to combat these attacks. At the end of December 2017, we introduced the Secure Elections Act, to protect the U.S. from future foreign interference in our elections.

The legislation would establish clear expert guidelines for securing election systems--including, for example, the need for paper ballots. Russia might be able to hack a machine from afar, but it can't hack a piece of paper. And it would provide $386 million in grants for cybersecurity improvements. It would also establish what's known as a bug bounty program for election infrastructure--where hackers are paid for identifying software vulnerabilities.

Source: The Truths We Hold, by Kamala Harris, p.238-9 , Jan 8, 2019

Cyber doctrine: when is a cyberattack an act of war?

In a world where tech can be weaponized, we need to deploy the very best technology in order to respond. And that means constantly upgrading our efforts so that we are always a step ahead.

We need to invest in the innovations and breakthroughs that we'll need in order to stay protected down the line. That's one of the reasons I've put forward a bill to invest in quantum computing, a frontier technology that would put the U.S. at the forefront of the race for technological superiority. Our pursuit of innovation cannot be viewed from an economic lens alone. It matters to national security, too. It's also one of the reasons I believe we must be a country that welcomes highly skilled students and professionals from around the world to study at our universities and work at our companies.

Ultimately, I believe we are going to need to develop a cyber doctrine. As a matter of principle, we will have to decide when and whether a cyberattack is an act of war, and what kind of response it warrants.

Source: The Truths We Hold, by Kamala Harris, p.242-3 , Jan 8, 2019

Update water infrastructure based on Israeli model

I think a lot about water security. A diversified approach would work on multiple fronts simultaneously. Conservation is the cheapest, most effective way to increase our water resources. But we also need to update our aging water infrastructure, improve our storm water capture and storage capacity, and make smart investments in water recycling, purification, and desalinization.

There's a lot we can learn from friends and partners who have already made such investments--especially Israel, a global leader on water security issues. In 2018, I travelled to Israel and toured its Sorek desalination plant, which uses reverse osmosis to produce clean drinking water from the sea. I had a glass. It tasted as good as any water I've ever had.

And that's not all. As many have said, the Israelis have made the desert bloom. They've done so in part by successfully reclaiming 86% of their wastewater and purifying it for agricultural reuse. By contrast, the United States, reclaims only 7% to 8%.

Source: The Truths We Hold, by Kamala Harris, p.246 , Jan 8, 2019

Smartphone videos force police brutality to be seen

Police brutality occurs in America. With the advent of the smartphone, what was well known only to certain communities is now being seen by the world. People can no longer pretend it isn't happening. It cannot be ignored or denied when we see video. And we must remember that tragedies occur over and over again, most of them unfilmed and unseen. If people fear murder and beatings and harassment from the police who patrol their very streets, can we really say that we live in a free society?
Source: The Truths We Hold, by Kamala Harris, p. 71-2 , Jan 8, 2019

Warns mobile app companies to protect privacy or face fines

Harris has started to warn scores of companies that their mobile applications or "apps" violate California privacy law and could face fines of up to $2,500 each time one is downloaded. Harris announced an agreement with the apps platforms that allows consumers the opportunity to review an app's privacy policy before they download the app rather than after, and offers consumers a consistent location for an app's privacy policy on the application-download screen in the platform store.
Source: Consumer Watchdog blog on 2019 Democratic Primary , Jul 2, 2013

Unit to prevent misuse of technology to invade privacy

On privacy: "The Privacy Unit will police the privacy practices of individuals and organizations to hold accountable those who misuse technology to invade the privacy of others," according to Harris. The Department's press release explained, "The Privacy Unit's mission to enforce and protect privacy is broad. It will enforce laws regulating the collection, retention, disclosure, and destruction of private or sensitive information by individuals, organizations, and the government.
Source: Marketing Research blog on 2019 Democratic Primary , Jul 23, 2012

eCrime Unit: target technology crimes like identity theft

California Attorney General Kamala Harris has created a 20-attorney unit that will specifically target technology crimes. The eCrime Unit will be in charge of identifying and prosecuting identity theft, cybercrimes and other crimes involving the use of technology. "Where there are predators and predatory practices, we want to ensure that we have the skills and technology to go after them and make sure there will be accountability and consequence," said Harris.

She said that with the implementation of the eCrime Unit, she hopes that California can be a leader in using innovative law enforcement techniques to target these types of criminals.

The eCrime Unit will also provide investigative and prosecutorial support to the five California regional high-tech task forces funded through the High Technology Theft Apprehension and Prosecution Trust Fund Program. California had 10 of the top 25 metropolitan areas for identity-theft related consumer complaints in 2010.

Source: CBS-SF on Calif. Attorney General press release "eCrime" , Dec 13, 2011

Other candidates on Technology: Kamala Harris on other issues:
2024 Republican Presidential Candidates:
Former Pres.Donald Trump (R nominee)
Ohio Senator J.D. Vance (VP nominee)
Ryan Binkley (R-TX)
Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND)
Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ)
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL)
Larry Elder (R-CA;withdrew)
Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC)
Rep. Will Hurd (R-FL;withdrew)
Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-AR)
Perry Johnson (R-IL)
Mayor Steve Laffey (R-RI)
Former V.P.Mike Pence (R-IN;withdrew)
Vivek Ramaswamy (R-OH)
Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
Secy. Corey Stapleton (R-MT)
Mayor Francis Suarez (R-FL;withdrew)

2024 Democratic and 3rd-party primary candidates:
V.P.Kamala Harris (D nominee)
MN Gov Tim Walz (VP nominee)
Pres. Joe Biden (D-DE,retiring)
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (I-NY)
Chase Oliver (L-GA)
Rep.Dean Phillips (D-MN)
Jill Stein (Green)
Cornel West (Green Party)
Kanye West (Birthday Party)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
Abortion
Budget/Economy
Civil Rights
Corporations
Crime
Drugs
Education
Energy/Oil
Environment
Families/Children
Foreign Policy
Free Trade
Govt. Reform
Gun Control
Health Care
Homeland Security
Immigration
Infrastructure/Technology
Jobs
Principles/Values
Social Security
Tax Reform
War/Iraq/Mideast
Welfare/Poverty

External Links about Kamala Harris:
Wikipedia
Ballotpedia





Page last updated: Nov 03, 2024; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org