Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Catch up on the day's biggest business stories
Subscribe to Axios Closer for insights into the day’s business news and trends and why they matter
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Sign up for Axios NW Arkansas
Stay up-to-date on the most important and interesting stories affecting NW Arkansas, authored by local reporters
The president of tech trade group the Internet Association is stepping down to run TikTok's Washington policy shop, the organizations said Friday.
Why it matters: Michael Beckerman, the founding president of IA, is leaving the trade group at a time of turbulence for the industry to join a video sharing app that's also facing Washington headwinds.
Details: Beckerman will join TikTok as vice president of U.S. public policy in March.
- He leaves IA after 8 years, having helped start the organization with 10 members in 2012. IA now has more than 40 members, including Google, Facebook and Amazon, and six offices working on federal, state and international policy.
- Beckerman, a former adviser to Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), will join TikTok as it faces criticism from lawmakers over issues ranging from censorship to children's privacy.
- "He’s never really rattled by big, stressful situations," said Mike Sommers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, who knows Beckerman from their time on the Hill together. "There's no question that the pressure is only going to grow. I have no doubt he is going to thrive in the role."
Yes, but: The association's efforts under Beckerman haven't stemmed the tide of recent problems for its members.
- Internet companies suffered a bruising fight and eventual loss when lawmakers altered a key liability protection to bolster anti-sex trafficking efforts.
- And there has been a nearly steady stream of criticism of tech giants and calls for regulation in the last year over complaints on misinformation, political advertising, monopolistic behavior and other problems.
- "As far as he’s leaving because of pressure on IA, that is not accurate," said an official with a member company. "It might appear that way to outside people, but it is not factually accurate."
What's next: IA general counsel Jon Berroya will serve as interim president while the association's board searches for a new leader.