US gets internet 'kill switch' bill ready

[Hafizzz]

As Egypt goes offline US gets internet 'kill switch' bill ready
As Egypt goes offline US gets internet 'kill switch' bill ready

January 31, 2011 - 1:20PM

As Egypt's government attempts to crackdown on street protests by shutting down internet and mobile phone services, the US is preparing to reintroduce a bill that could be used to shut down the internet.

The legislation, which would grant US President Barack Obama powers to seize control of and even shut down the internet, would soon be reintroduced to a senate committee, Wired.com reported.

It was initially introduced last year but expired with a new Congress.

Senator Susan Collins, a co-sponsor of the bill, said that unlike in Egypt, where the government was using its powers to quell dissent by shutting down the internet, it would not.

“My legislation would provide a mechanism for the government to work with the private sector in the event of a true cyber emergency,” Collins said in an emailed statement to Wired. “It would give our nation the best tools available to swiftly respond to a significant threat.”

The proposed legislation, introduced into the US Senate by independent senator Joe Lieberman, who is chairman of the US Homeland Security committee, seeks to grant the President broad emergency powers over the internet in times of national emergency.

Senator Susan Collins, a co-sponsor of the bill, said that unlike in Egypt, where the government was using its powers to quell dissent by shutting down the internet, it would not.

“My legislation would provide a mechanism for the government to work with the private sector in the event of a true cyber emergency,” Collins said in an emailed statement to Wired. “It would give our nation the best tools available to swiftly respond to a significant threat.”

The proposed legislation, introduced into the US Senate by independent senator Joe Lieberman, who is chairman of the US Homeland Security committee, seeks to grant the President broad emergency powers over the internet in times of national emergency.

Are you ready for "Kill Switch" ?

 

[WeaponUnleashed]

And I'm sure this "kill switch" will be used to protect us, right? We just have to give up some of our freedom for this protection. Oooo boy!!!

 

[Saifullah Sani]

Stop the internet control bill NOW.

Why This Is Important

The IP Act (S.968 - PROTECT IP Act of 2011) establishes a system for taking down websites that the Justice Department determines to be "dedicated to infringing activities." The DoJ or the copyright owner would be able to commence a legal action against the alleged infringer and the DoJ would be allowed to demand that search engines, social networking sites and domain name services block access to the targeted site. In some cases, action could be taken to block sites without first allowing the alleged infringer to defend themselves in court. The PROTECT IP Act would allow copyright owners – movie studios and other content providers – simply to accuse a website of infringement, which could lead to that site being shut down by court order and entire links to the site being wiped clean from the Internet. The bill is so poorly written that it would allow any copyright owner to shut down a legitimate retail website, such as Amazon or Best Buy, by alleging that one product being sold on the site could “enable or facilitate” an infringement. It could even allow any content owner to block access to the Patent Office website if it receives and posts a patent application for a product that is believed to use content without permission. The PROTECT IP Act will hurt American innovation. This bill will give one side the power to put the other side out of business and this is dangerous beyond words.
Human Rights Petition: Stop the internet control bill NOW. | Change.org

 

[Kylin]

They did this already didn't they? In london riot, and San Fran did this with cellphones, which means mobile internet too.
good job keep public safety in mind.

 

[T-Rex]

So much for freedom of speech. It is good if it exposes the weaknesses of others but it becomes a terror weapon if it exposes the crimes of the west, isn't that amazing?

 

[canadian icehole]

They did this already didn't they? In london riot, and San Fran did this with cellphones, which means mobile internet too. good job keep public safety in mind.

Cameron only contemplated on shutting down the internet. I wasn't aware of the San Fran shutdown of their cell towers.

 

[Kylin]

Cameron only contemplated on shutting down the internet. I wasn't aware of the San Fran shutdown of their cell towers.

hmm, you r right, they didn't shut down internet in London, did they close or censor internet related services?

For San Fran
Cell Phone Shutdown in San Francisco Mubarak-Style

 

[JayAtl]

And I'm sure this "kill switch" will be used to protect us, right? We just have to give up some of our freedom for this protection. Oooo boy!!!

it ( our freedoms) still would 100x more than in Egypt. It's a good bill.... I agree with it. it is clearly defined and Susan collins is a good senator ( level headed)

---------- Post added at 08:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:26 PM ----------

hmm, you r right, they didn't shut down internet in London, did they close or censor internet related services?

For San Fran
Cell Phone Shutdown in San Francisco Mubarak-Style

thats inside train stations during the protest... read the articles before you post it. It is a common secruity measure ...it was not the city of san Fran

 

[canadian icehole]

hmm, you r right, they didn't shut down internet in London, did they close or censor internet related services?

As far as I know, no censorship, just cellphone vendors such as RIM agreeing to aid in any police investigation.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Are you ready for "Kill Switch" ?

Yes I am! Who knows, it might help to control the flood of "spam" that inundates the internet (and even this forum) sometimes.

This move is nothing new. Authorities the world over at different times have used means like this.
E.G. Remember "Tienamein Square" anybody? And that was'nt the only instance recorded.

 

[BATMAN]

Sooner than later, it ought to happen.

 

[gambit]

So much for freedom of speech. It is good if it exposes the weaknesses of others but it becomes a terror weapon if it exposes the crimes of the west, isn't that amazing?

What is to prevent you guys from publishing books and magazines to expose those crimes? Or how about using radio and televisions? You do not have such devices over there where you are at? How about creating your own Internet? Ooops...

 

[true_indian]

What is to prevent you guys from publishing books and magazines to expose those crimes? Or how about using radio and televisions? You do not have such devices over there where you are at? How about creating your own Internet? Ooops...

hehe..

It doesn't matter, the west is just evil. It was declared. How dare you to ask him to invent?