LAUNCHES MULTIMEDIA AD CAMPAIGN
“Our messages are straightforward and convey the concerns of American consumers,” stated ACP Executive Director Ed Gillespie. “The ads draw attention to the flaws in current encryption policies which threaten the security of our nation’s infrastructure and put our technological leadership at risk. They also point out the threat to privacy posed by an FBI-backed proposal that would require Americans to turn over encryption ‘keys’ to government-approved third parties.”
The first phase of television ads, to air on selected cable networks and stations in the Washington D.C. market, begin today and will run until the Congressional recess, and again in September. Print ads will run in selected national and local publications during the same time periods. In addition, ACP will conduct an unprecedented Internet-based advertising campaign, running banners on marquee sites across the Net, reaching approximately 6.25 million web surfers between July 27 and September 30.
“With a single click, individuals will be able to jump to background information on the encryption issue, along with their Representative’s position and telephone number,” stated Gillespie. “By reaching out to Internet users in this unique way, ACP will build support for our efforts while at the same time demonstrating the power and potential of this extraordinary medium — a potential that is threatened by strict government controls on privacy-protecting encryption tools.”
Gillespie was joined by a number of lawmakers who support ACP and legislation to reform encryption policy. They included SAFE Act supporters Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Representative Sam Gejdenson (D-CT) and Representative Rick White (R-WA), as well as E-Privacy supporters Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT).
ACP is a broad-based coalition that brings together more than 90 companies and 40 associations representing financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, high-tech and transportation, as well as law enforcement, civil-liberty, pro-family and taxpayer groups. ACP supports policies that advance the rights of American citizens to encode information without fear of government intrusion, and advocates the lifting of current export restrictions on U.S.-made encryption.