Not everyone is happy with Obama’s pick for Deputy CTO

For a few days now the blogosphere has been buzzing with the news of Andrew McLaughlin’s appointment as Deputy CTO in the Obama administration (most recently, McLaughlin has served as Head of Global Public Policy and Government Affairs at Google but he has also been very close to Harvard’s Berkman Center and instrumental in the ...

For a few days now the blogosphere has been buzzing with the news of Andrew McLaughlin's appointment as Deputy CTO in the Obama administration (most recently, McLaughlin has served as Head of Global Public Policy and Government Affairs at Google but he has also been very close to Harvard's Berkman Center and instrumental in the early days of ICANN).

For a few days now the blogosphere has been buzzing with the news of Andrew McLaughlin’s appointment as Deputy CTO in the Obama administration (most recently, McLaughlin has served as Head of Global Public Policy and Government Affairs at Google but he has also been very close to Harvard’s Berkman Center and instrumental in the early days of ICANN).

Personally, I think it is terrific news  – McLaughlin is definitely one of the most knowledgeable people to take on the daunting task of revamping the US government’s tech activities. It also helps that he already seems to have a sharp vision for the work ahead: those of you who want to get a few hints of what to expect during McLaughlin’s tenure may want to check out the video of his recent talk on the subject of "government 2.0" at the Web2.0 Expo that took place in April 2009.

Apparently, not everyone is happy with McLaughlin’s appointment. NextGov has more: 

Two consumer groups have lined up to oppose President Obama’s pending appointment of Google’s Andrew McLaughlin as deputy chief technology officer in the White House. In a letter to Obama, John Simpson, consumer advocate at Consumer Watchdog (formerly the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights), and Jeffery Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Technology, said McLaughlin’s position as Google’s director of global public policy violates the intent of the president’s ethics rules to stop the revolving door between lobbyists and the executive branch.

Here is an excerpt from the letter (PDF): 

 We do not object to Mr. McLaughlin’s appointment because he is associated with Google per se. The problem is that he has been a lobbyist for the biggest digital marketing company in the world, and we believe no special-interest connected person should assume a position of vital importance to the country’s future. It would be just as inappropriate for a lobbyist from Microsoft, Yahoo! or any similar technology company to be appointed deputy chief technology officer.

It would be just as inappropriate for a lobbyist from Microsoft, Yahoo! or any similar technology company to be appointed deputy chief technology officer.

Evgeny Morozov is a fellow at the Open Society Institute and sits on the board of OSI's Information Program. He writes the Net Effect blog on ForeignPolicy.com

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.