If you tried to use the Internet today, you'll have noticed that several sites went black to protest two bills currently going through the floors of Congress: the Stop Online Piracy Act (in the House of Representatives) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (in the Senate). Both are meant to stop copyright infringement from foreign sites, but the language in these censorship bills is such that it could be easily abused and would seriously hinder the free flow of information within our own country. It puts the burden on website owners to police their user-generated content and could lead to entire sites being blocked, which would then suppress what people contribute to "open" discussions out of fear of being blacklisted.
Senators are expected to vote on PIPA on Tuesday, January 24 and SOPA talks will continue in early February, but we have to make sure politicians change their minds about this abuse of power long before then. Here's how you can take action and keep the Internet free.
Senators are expected to vote on PIPA on Tuesday, January 24 and SOPA talks will continue in early February, but we have to make sure politicians change their minds about this abuse of power long before then. Here's how you can take action and keep the Internet free.