The United States Internet Service Provider Association (US ISPA) is a policy organization that was started in 2002 as a partnership between America Online, Earthlink, MCI and Verizon. The purpose of the US ISPA is to represent the legal interests of Internet service providers (ISPs) throughout the United States. The US ISPA works on behalf of ISPs during legal debates and offers forums in which interested parties can discuss their concerns and devise new policies.
In the past, ISPs have found it difficult to administer policies in their own best interests when drawn into conflicts between hackers and lawmakers. The US ISPA has made it easier for ISP representatives to present their interests more effectively in debates and testimonies with industry insiders and the state and federal branches of government. In cooperation with ISPs, the US ISPA has worked diligently to bolster online security functions, strengthen user privacy features and stem the tides of cyber-crime.
The US ISPA has testified on behalf of ISPs during numerous legal proceedings throughout the last decade. Among their first major activities was the testimony they gave before the House Judiciary Subcommittee regarding the Cyber Security and Enhancement Act of 2001. Since then, the US ISPA has testified before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee and various subcommittees on issues ranging from online gambling to cyber-security. In 2011, the US ISPA testified once again before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on matters involving terrorism, crime and national security that pertain to the Internet.
The US ISPA primarily focuses on domestic policies that affect ISPs, but they also keep their eyes on international developments which play into these concerns. While the aim of the US ISPA is to address policies and legal issues on a national scale, they sometimes work on issues at state and local levels. The US ISPA has committed itself to intervene upon any legislation that could possibly compromise the interests of Internet service providers.
The US ISPA board of directors is currently staffed by Abigail Abraham from AOL, Christopher Bubb from Yahoo!, Thomas Dailey from Verizon and Keith Epstein from AT&T.
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