Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have been on opposing sides since the U.S. presidential race began. Their clashing views and agenda are evident in their debates, and the two politicians' technology and innovation initiatives are not an exception.
In her newly released agenda, Clinton appears to be leaning in favor of Silicon Valley, which is expected given the Democratic presidential frontrunner's ties with the industry and its power players. Trump, meanwhile, has gone out of his way to offend the tech sector.
Hillary Clinton's Plan For Tech Policy Issues
Let's start with Clinton. The former secretary of state's agenda titled "Initiative on Technology & Innovation" promotes more investment and diversity in computer science and STEM education. The U.S. has this policy where the country offers advanced STEM education to highly skilled people from other countries.
After they get their degrees, the American government makes them leave. Clinton wants to change that by providing them with green cards so they can practice their professions in the U.S.
Clinton plans to improve the country's broadband access through her infrastructure program worth $275 billion. She wants high-speed internet in every American household, free Wi-Fi for the public and improved 5G mobile technology.
Clinton also supports net neutrality and the Federal Communications Commission's bid to impose an open internet system. Net neutrality allows every website and content on the internet to run on the same speed, which means startups can compete with big corporations.
Other parts of the Clinton initiative are the promotion of cyber-security both in the U.S. and abroad, and improve the Obama Administration's patent system and reward innovators. Clinton also pushes for a more competent copyright policy and a national commission on digital security and encryption.
Donald Trump's Agenda For Tech Policy
Trump, meanwhile, has no love for the tech sector and is often criticizing the group. Unlike Clinton, Trump doesn't care about improving STEM education and is planning to eradicate Common Core standards. The Republican nominee also wants foreign employees to only get entry-level IT jobs with the lowest possible income, and to obligate U.S. companies to only hire American employees, Recode reported.
Trump is against net neutrality and mentioned shutting the internet down to prevent radical terrorism. During Apple's encryption hubbub with the FBI, Trump called for a boycott of the tech company's products until Apple complies with the police's demand to unlock the iPhone of a San Bernardino shooter. Furthermore, he criticized Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for his immigration position that favors high-skilled foreign visas.
What do you think about Clinton and Trump's tech policies? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
