What Obama means for e-commerce
Washington intervened little in e-commerce during the Bush years. But with Democrats controlling both the White House and Congress and the government intervening more actively in the economy that’s likely to change in the Obama years. Already, three important issues have surfaced. Advocates of requiring e-retailers to collect sales taxes, including retail chains, plan a major push this spring. They expect a friendly hearing from Obama and the Democratic leadership for legislation that they say will ease the budget woes of state governments. Behavioral targeting of online ads is on the radar screen of the Federal Trade Commission, especially with Obama’s elevation of Jonathan Leibowitz to FTC chairman. He’s made clear he will push for more regulation if online marketers don’t protect consumer privacy. Finally, Obama is making good on his promise to expand broadband Internet access, which could encourage millions of mostly rural consumers to begin shopping online. In this story, insiders will explain what’s likely to happen on these issues and what it will mean for online merchants.