A federal judge is now pushing the FTC to finally provide answers.
Small businesses shouldn’t have to wait this long to understand what’s on the table.
Read more: connectedcouncil.org/what-is-the-...
Millions of small sellers use Amazon’s tools and logistics to reach customers and grow their business. Without clarity on potential remedies, they’re left with real uncertainty about what comes next.
After 7 years of investigation, small businesses still don’t know what the FTC is actually planning in its case against Amazon.
That’s a problem.
A proposed Nebraska social media tax could raise the cost of reaching customers, hitting #smallbusinesses when they can least afford it. In the Nebraska Examiner, Quinten Saathoff of Caspian Creates explains why data-powered digital ads are a lifeline for businesses trying to grow and thrive.
That means harder to get found. Harder to compete. Harder to grow.
At a time when costs are rising and uncertainty is everywhere, this is the last thing small businesses need.
We break it all down, what the bill does, why it matters, and what it could mean for your small business.
Read more ⤵️
For millions of #smallbiz, digital tools are how they get discovered, reach customers, and keep the lights on. The BASED Act (SB 1074) would force these tools to be split apart, turning what works seamlessly today into something more expensive, more complicated, and far less effective.
California lawmakers are weighing a proposal that could pull the rug out from under small businesses.
Our latest blog breaks down what’s really at stake.
For those who want to go deeper, we’ve pulled together the full resource guide here: connectedcouncil.org/the-future-of-advertisin...
AI is helping close that gap by making it easier to test campaigns, refine targeting, and improve performance without adding complexity.
Big thanks to Komal Singh from 4XDigital for leading such a valuable session on how small businesses are using AI to strengthen their advertising and reach more customers.
The workshop reinforced something we hear often from small businesses: time & resources are limited, but expectations are not.
📢 Join us today at 2:00 PM ET for our webinar with Komal Singh of 4XDigital AI! 📢
Komal will explain how your small business can use AI to run more efficient, cost-effective ad campaigns that drive sales, growth, and success.
Register now!
connectedcouncil.org/events/the-f...
For small businesses operating across state lines, this patchwork of rules can mean more time spent on compliance and less time focused on serving customers.
It’s a clear reminder of the need for a consistent, nationwide approach to data privacy that provides clarity and predictability. Learn more⬇️
Oklahoma just enacted a new data privacy law, becoming the 20th state with its own approach to regulating data.
While many of these laws share similar frameworks, even small differences between states can create added complexity for small businesses trying to navigate compliance as they grow.
Komal Singh of 4XDigital AI will walk through how these tools are showing up in day-to-day advertising, what’s working, and what small businesses should be paying attention to right now.
📅 Tues, April 7 at 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT
Register now: connectedcouncil.org/events/the-f...
Small businesses are managing more moving parts than ever when it comes to advertising, from choosing the right platforms to keeping campaigns running over time.
Next week, we’re hosting a workshop to help small businesses streamline that work and get more out of their efforts.
Kristin Rae’s Seller Policy Insider newsletter goes out today with a look at what’s moving in tech policy right now. In this edition, she breaks down the data-driven pricing bills and what they mean for small sellers.
Subscribe to get the newsletter in your inbox today! forms.gle/xkC56K3WFo6y...
This is exactly the kind of approach 3C supports, focused on education, adoption, and real-world results.
www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/2/cantw...
3C research shows small business leaders are eager to adopt AI, but many say they need more guidance to use these tools effectively. Expanding access to practical training is one of the most important ways policymakers can support small business growth.
The Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act of 2026 would direct the Department of Commerce to develop hands-on AI training and toolkits tailored specifically for small businesses, and deliver them through trusted partners like SBDCs, SCORE, and Women’s Business Centers.
Today is #AILiteracyDay, and it’s a good reminder that as AI continues to reshape the small business economy, access to practical training and resources matters more than ever. Bipartisan legislation in Congress would help make sure #smabiz are not left behind.
It’s #AILiteracyDay, and one thing is clear: #smallbiz want to use AI, but they need training and resources to implement it effectively. Programs like Google’s AI courses can make a real difference. Check it out and enroll for free today!
Lawmakers considered a fix last year but didn’t get it across the finish line, and the tax is still in effect. With new leadership at the Comptroller’s office, this is the right time to revisit the issue.
Small businesses shouldn’t face higher taxes just for using digital tools to reach customers.
Texas tax policy is still driving up costs for small businesses that sell online.
Right now, marketplace platform fees are treated as taxable “data processing services,” which can make it more expensive for small sellers to use tools like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.
Good policy should go after bad actors without making it harder for small businesses to serve their customers.
connectedcouncil.org/wp-content/u...
California legislators just moved forward with a bill that could restrict common pricing and promotion tools small businesses use every day.
We sent a letter on AB 2564 last week, warning that the bill could sweep in routine practices that small businesses leverage to stay competitive.
Data privacy protections matter, but policy should reflect how small businesses actually operate and avoid unintended consequences that make it harder for them to grow.
If those providers face new limits on how data can be collected or processed, the impact reaches the small businesses using those tools too.
That can mean higher advertising costs, fewer insights, and a harder time competing.
Small businesses cannot simply be carved out of broad data restrictions.
Much of the value small businesses get from data comes from the tools built and operated by large service providers.
When those providers face new limits, the effects flow through the entire system. As a result, policies designed to target large platforms can still create challenges for #smallbiz. Policymakers should carefully consider these real-world impacts when developing balanced data privacy protections.
In practice, small businesses do not manage most data themselves. They rely on digital platforms, online marketplaces, and online service providers to process data so their tools can work.