Reckless and misguided laws, often originating at the state level, threaten to undermine the foundation of the free and open Internet. Some of the most serious threats to the Internet come in the form of lawmakers trying to 'fix' it.

Knee-jerk, overly prescriptive laws can destroy whole business models or stifle innovative new forms of communication before they have a chance to emerge. Too many laws are proposed without considering unintended harm they may cause to thousands of Internet companies and millions of Internet users.

NetChoice is dedicated to fighting these attacks on core Internet principles. Through this site, the Internet Advocates' Watchlist For Ugly Laws (iAWFUL) will track dangerous legislation and mobilize citizens to defeat bills and proposals that threaten the future of ecommerce and online communication. The list will be continually updated to reflect the most immediate dangers, based on regulatory severity and likelihood of passage.

Subscribe to this feed

I-AWFUL (Internet Advocates' Watchlist for Ugly Laws) is a NetChoice Initiative Dedicated to Tracking the Worst Internet Laws in America

Massachusetts Online Advertising Bill (HB 313)

What's AWFUL? It threatens the viability of new business models on the Web.

Massachusetts seeks to regulate “online preference marketing” in which information is stored from consumers’ online searches and used by advertisers to target specific advertisements toward them. But there is nothing nefarious or dangerous to consumers about advertising that is more relevant to them. The bill is unnecessary because industry is already working toward self-regulatory best practices. Consumers—not legislators—should decide whether or not this type of service succeeds in the marketplace.

Back to full list