PolitiFact.com
Statements about Technology
John McCain

John McCain

Half-True

True for specific fields like computer science

"Over half" of science, technology, engineering and mathematics students "receiving advanced degrees are not citizens of the United States of America."

Joe Negron

Joe Negron

Half-True

Hunting hunters

Says PETA "is using this really fancy drone to follow hunters around in some places in other countries."

Jeb Bush

Jeb Bush

Mostly True

Don't let a human drive the driverless car

"Already, a prototype driverless car has traveled more than 300,000 miles in the crowded maze of California streets without a single accident."

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Mostly False

Millions use internet in China but censorship is rampant

"The Chinese government provides their people no access to the Internet."

Peter Barca

Peter Barca

Mostly True

Right on guns, iPad; but pencil and paper?

"You can't bring an iPad or a piece of paper and a pencil in the (Wisconsin Assembly) gallery to take notes of what's going on," but "you can bring a gun up there."

Brian Patrick Kennedy

Brian Patrick Kennedy

Mostly False

Employers CAN watch you work

Employers and schools have no right to conduct "surveillance of a dorm room or a worker’s cubicle."

Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

True

Green industries are a gusher for U.S. jobs

"We have more people working in clean and green energy than in oil and gas in this country."  

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Mostly True

This Google search comes close

The federal government has made investments in science and technology inventing the products that led to the creation of Google.

Christopher Blazejewski

Christopher Blazejewski

True

And a new law changes that.

"Under current law, if you go on a dating website and you say you're 32 and you're actually 42, you've committed a misdemeanor."

Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan

Half-True

Average cost to keep dropping with each car sold

"Federal, state and local governments have subsidized the production of the Volt to the tune of estimates between $50,000 and $250,000 per vehicle sold."

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich

Half-True

White House didn't confirm or deny

Says IBM leader told Obama that using IBM technology to cut fraud could "pay for" health care reform.

Sam Olens

Sam Olens

True

Snail mail will have to do

There are cities and counties in Georgia that don’t have websites, and where elected officials don’t have email addresses.

Sheldon Whitehouse

Sheldon Whitehouse

True

Smile, you’re on candid webcam!

"Some criminals have learned how to spy on Americans, hacking into our home computers and looking out through the video camera attached to the screen."

Marco Rubio

Marco Rubio

Mostly True

Foreign researchers also chipped in

"Anywhere in the world, when someone uses a mobile phone, e-mail, the Internet or GPS, they are enjoying the benefits of the American miracle."

Michael McAuliff

Michael McAuliff

Mostly True

Sure, if they were willing

"Tommy Thompson wanted to implant data chips in humans."

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg

Half-True

Sexting isn't a felony — but child pornography is

In Texas, "sexting is a felony sex offense for teenagers — that can mean up to 10 years in prison."

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Mostly False

Some medical records, not all

"Veterans can now download their electronic medical records with a click of the mouse."

Paul Broun

Paul Broun

False

Were it not for the feds, you'd be reading this on paper

Says government is a barrier to innovation and development.

Lars Larson

Lars Larson

False

This claim is stuck in a dead spot

Says Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will "force you to stop using your cell phone" while driving.

Rick Perry

Rick Perry

Mostly False

Use a candle or the (efficient) bulb of your choice

Says Washington's reach extends to "even telling us what kind of light bulb we can use."

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