The U.S. Chamber of Commerce released a poll by AXIS Research which found that, when told what the legislation could do, 70% of voters oppose Congressional anti-tech bills. 

While some other polls claim that anti-tech legislation has support, when pollsters explained to voters how the bill would affect them, they found just the opposite. 

Additionally, the Chamber also released a new report based on a nation-wide survey and econometric analysis rebutting claims that small businesses have little choice in the technology platforms they use. The Chamber report details how small businesses have used technology as a driver of economic success and that 3 in 4 small businesses actually employ more than just one platform simultaneously.

These polls affirm what small business owners have been saying all along: technology tools, like online ads and marketplaces, benefit small businesses—and AICOA could have harmful unintended consequences for these small companies.

Here’s what you need to know:

When voters learn what AICOA would actually do, they oppose the legislation. 

— 79% of Republicans, 72% of Independents, and 59% of Democrats say they strongly oppose or somewhat oppose the bill which would impact services they rely on. 

— 70% of voters overall responded as strongly or somewhat opposing the bill.

Voters would also oppose candidates who back the legislation.

— 61% of Republicans say they are more likely to oppose candidates who support the bill, and Democrats are more likely (42% to 35%) to oppose candidates who support the bill.

Very few voters support increased government regulation of leading American tech companies.

— Only 5% support more regulation of tech companies, 4% support breaking up large tech companies, and only 3% support limiting large tech firms from growing further.  

Voters are worried about how regulation will affect prices. The poll also found a majority of voters see market competition (opposed to government regulation) as the spark for innovation.

— 67% of voters worry that government regulation of companies will increase prices.

— 81% of voters believe that market competition, not government regulation, fuels American innovation. 

The survey of small businesses shows that >85% of small businesses believe technology helped their company survive during COVID and even grow in challenging conditions.

— 93% of small businesses are using at least one technology platform.

— 75% of small businesses employ more than just one platform simultaneously.

— 86% of small businesses say technology helped their business survive during COVID.

— 87% believe technology has helped them grow in challenging conditions.

These poll findings are affirmed by small business owners and advocates across the country who rely on technology tools to support their businesses and worry about the impacts AICOA would have on their ability to succeed.

“Ultimately, technology is not a threat but an essential tool to [small businesses’] continued growth. Small businesses have been able to increase their sales and customer base by using low-cost, efficient digital tools and platforms offered by many different companies that compete for small businesses as customers,” says Utah small business owner James Greaves.

“Not only would these rules threaten to roll back the gains small businesses have made over the last two years, they would also cause grave economic repercussions at a time when inflation is soaring, the stock market is sputtering and investment in new startups is drying up,” worries California small business owner Claudia Bolognesi.

The full results of the voters’ poll can be found here, and the small business survey report is available here.