Science and Technology
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(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II announced today the findings of his investigation into the small business lending practices of Financial Technology (FinTech) companies. Last year, Congressman Cleaver launched an investigation to study the methods that FinTech companies use to protect consumers against discriminatory practices. One of the primary focuses of the survey was the use of automated algorithms in loan applications.
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the current use of facial recognition software by law enforcement agencies. Some state, federal and municipal law enforcement agencies use facial recognition to identity suspects and expedite investigations. A growing body of evidence suggests that the technology has the potential to disproportionately impact minorities and women – among other concerns.
June 20, 2018
(Washington, D.C. ) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II was given the honor of introducing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Nominee Geoffrey Starks at the Senate Commerce Committee Nomination Hearing today in Washington, D.C. Geoffrey Starks is a Kansas City native and is currently one of the assistant bureau chiefs at the FCC.
The more I learn about technology, the more I see that there is so much work to be done. I have been fighting discrimination in the workplace for many years and now that ugly beast has found its way into our evolving technology industry. That is why it is so important to monitor the practices of tech companies and social media.
My latest issue of concern is preventing extremist groups from using cryptocurrency to fund campaigns of hate and violence. Cryptocurrency is basically digital money used to verify the transfer of funds. It operates as an independently run bank online.
(Washington D.C.) – Today, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) sent letters to the Bitcoin Foundation and the Chamber of Digital Commerce, calling for these entities to do more in efforts to prevent extremist groups from using cryptocurrency to fund campaigns of hate and violence.
(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II was pleased to hear that Internet Association (IA) has announced it will create a new position within the organization to work on diversity and workforce policies in the tech industry. The IA is a trade association representing major technology firms like Amazon, Facebook and Google.
(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II is pleased to hear that after much discussion with Facebook's executives regarding diversity and inclusion, Facebook has announced that outgoing CEO of American Express, Kenneth Chenault, has agreed to join its Board of Directors. Facebook's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, made the announcement today posting this statement.
Kenneth Chenault is a successful business executive and was the third African American CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
(Washington D.C.) – Today, Congressman Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement in response to Twitter's enforcement of its new policy seeking to curtail the amount of racist, violent, and hateful content on its wide-ranging social media platform:
(Washington D.C.) - Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) yesterday received a letter from Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, after a series of concerns were presented to Facebook and Twitter top executives. In the letter, Sandberg specifically stated she is responding to a series of recent letters from Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II, and other Members of the CBC.
(Washington, D.C.) - Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) wrote a letter to the President and CEO of the Internet Association, Michael Beckerman, urging the organization to stop the spread of racial and gender bias through technology and adopt practices and policies to hold members accountable when it comes to the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The letter is here.