Communications Manager
Microsoft

David Burt manages communications efforts around online safety and privacy for Microsoft’s Trustworthy Computing initiative. Involved in promoting online safety since 1997, David has extensive experience in the area of filtering software. David’s research on Internet filtering and the problems associated with unfiltered Internet access have been cited by both the United States Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States in upholding the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

Prior to Microsoft, David managed communications at the Secure Computing Corporation, a leading provider of Internet filtering software. Before that, David managed communications for N2H2, the leading provider of filtering software to schools and libraries in the United States.

From 1997 until 2000, David ran a successful 501(c)(3) organization promoting online safety named Filtering Facts. David’s advocacy included testifying as an expert witness in the filtering case Mainstream Loudon v. Board; before the National Commission on Library and Information Science; as well as state legislatures, city councils, and local library boards. While at N2H2 David continued promoting filtering by testifying before the Congressional Commission on Child Online Protection (COPA), the Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Copyright Office in the 2003 DMCA exemption hearings. In 2001-2002, David served as a consultant to the Department of Justice legal team that successfully defended CIPA.

David maintains a blog named Filteringfacts.org that focuses on online safety and the filtering industry. He has a master’s degree in Information Science from the University of Washington. He and his wife live in Seattle with their two children, aged 7 and 10.