Working Group on Unlawful Conduct on the Internet

This executive order establishes an interagency working group chaired by the Attorney General to study and report on unlawful conduct involving the Internet, including illegal sales of guns, drugs, and child pornography. The group must deliver recommendations within 120 days on whether existing federal laws are sufficient, what new tools or authorities may be needed, and how to empower parents and educators to mitigate risks.

Federal Register Open PDF 64 FR 43895

Impact dates

Dec 3, 1999
Working Group shall present report and recommendations to President and Vice President

Key directives

Establish Working Group on unlawful Internet conduct
Prepare report on adequacy of existing federal laws for investigating/prosecuting Internet crimes
Assess need for new technology tools, capabilities, or legal authorities
Evaluate tools to educate and empower parents, teachers, and others to prevent/minimize risks
Present report and recommendations to President and Vice President within 120 days
Circulate report through OMB for review and comment by appropriate federal agencies before presentation

Timeline

Immediate

Working Group established with specified membership

Near term (90d)

Report and recommendations due to President and Vice President (120 days from signing, i.e., by December 3, 1999)
OMB interagency review and comment process

Long term

Potential basis for subsequent legislation or policy changes based on recommendations

Risks & tensions

Tension between law enforcement objectives and 'technology-neutral' policy commitment; vague what 'greatest extent possible' means for completion
Scope spans multiple contentious areas (guns, drugs, child pornography, fraud) with different stakeholder sensitivities
Industry self-regulation preference may conflict with recommendations for new legal authorities
Liaison with electronic commerce working group suggests potential tension between commerce interests and enforcement priorities