Ward to chair new board spearheading state and federal advocacy efforts
WASHINGTON (Jan. 30, 2025) — The Developers Alliance today announced Jake Ward will chair a new board of directors tasked with addressing the mounting public policy challenges facing application developers. Ward co-founded the Alliance in 2012, leaving in 2017 to found developer-focused management platform Data Protocol.
“I’m excited to return to the Developers Alliance at this critical time,” Ward said. “Developers are a primary driver of America’s economy and a powerful engine of innovation and growth. Now, more than ever, they must have a voice in public policy discussions. The Developers Alliance will continue to serve as that voice, advocating for software designers and builders and the companies and industries that depend on them.”
Noting that 2025 will be a critical year for tech policy, Ward says the Alliance has redoubled its commitment to:
- Pushing for a comprehensive national data privacy law, which would allow developers to innovate without worrying about the costs and legal risks of complying with 20 different state-level data privacy laws
- Advocating for sensible AI regulations that limit risk while fostering innovation at small AI-based app companies
- Countering state- and federal-level policies suggesting sweeping changes to the digital economy, including bills targeting the Google and Apple app ecosystems, and lawsuits aimed at hobbling the mobile app marketplace
Ward’s return comes as app developers voice concerns about legal and regulatory actions threatening to dramatically alter the app ecosystem. Many developers have expressed fears about the potentially harmful consequences of a proposed national data privacy bill, as well as remedies suggested following the Google search lawsuit. And last year, developers joined an amicus brief to argue against a slate of extreme remedies proposed in the wake of the Epic Games v. Google verdict.
“The U.S. innovation economy is at a crossroads,” Ward said. “To maintain our place as the global technology leader, we need thoughtful, nuanced policies that foster — rather than hinder — technological advancement and entrepreneurship.
“I look forward to facilitating constructive dialogues that lead to balanced policies benefiting America’s developers, citizens, and economy for decades to come.”
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The Developers Alliance advocates on behalf of developers, the companies they lead, and the industries that depend on them. We help policymakers and stakeholders understand the specific needs of the developer workforce and advocate for policies that responsibly advance the broader tech sector.
