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Code At The Capitol

Independence Institute

Code at the Capitol explores where technology and government collide—revealing how laws and regulations can shape innovation, privacy, free speech, and your digital freedom.

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  • 3 episodes
  • Avg 19 min
  • English
  • S1 · E3
    Monday · 25 min

    Can the Government Force Social Media to Say This?

    Can the government force social media companies to deliver its message? On this episode of Code at the Capitol, Vanessa Rutledge is joined by Paul Tasker of NetChoice to discuss Colorado’s social media law requiring warning labels aimed at minors, and the First Amendment lawsuit challenging that requirement. Paul explains why NetChoice argues the warning amounts to government-compelled speech, how social media warnings differ from labels on physical products like cigarettes, and where the legal challenge currently stands. They also discuss parental controls already available to families, the role of government in protecting minors online, and the costs associated with defending challenged speech laws. Can the government protect kids online without crossing the line into compelled speech? Tune in to find out.

  • S1 · E2
    September 14 · 11 min

    Police Can Track You Without a Warrant?

    Automated license plate readers are appearing across Colorado, but how much information are they actually collecting about you? On this episode of Code at the Capitol, Vanessa Rutledge talks with Denver-area civil rights attorney Andy McNulty, who is suing the City of Boulder over its use of Flock cameras. The lawsuit began after McNulty's client requested images the system had captured of his own vehicle and was told he could not obtain them. McNulty explains how automated license plate readers can record vehicles, locations and timestamps and how that information can be used to reconstruct a person's movements. He argues that law enforcement should need a warrant before using these systems to track someone. Vanessa and Andy also discuss the Fourth Amendment, documented concerns about misuse, the argument that people who have "nothing to hide" shouldn't worry about surveillance, and the danger of creating a powerful surveillance infrastructure that could be abused in the future. When does a crime-fighting tool become mass surveillance? And should police be able to track where you've been without a warrant? Code at the Capitol examines the intersection of technology, government and public policy, and what it means for Coloradans.

  • S1 · E1
    August 31 · 21 min

    Are You Allowed To Hear This?

    Who decides what you’re allowed to see online? As governments push new age restrictions, the fight over privacy, free speech, and who controls your digital world is just beginning. Taylor Barkley of Abundance Institute explains.

Showing 1–3 of 3 episodes