Threats to Privacy - CISPA

[EVOXSNES]

Right now, the US is poised to pass a new law that would permit US agents to spy on almost everything we do online. But we can stop them before the final vote.

Companies that we trust with our personal information, like Microsoft, Facebook and IBM, are key supporters of this bill that lets corporations share all user activity and content with US government agents without needing a warrant in the name of cyber-security -- nullifying privacy guarantees for almost everyone around the world, no matter where we live and surf online.

If enough of us speak out, we can stop companies that profit from our business from supporting cyber-spying. Sign the petition now!


http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_cispa_corp ... obal/?copy

[Costello]

They can do it already.

[Kelbie]

Doesn't this happen already in the world?

[Carbonizer]

Yeah, its just not 'out there'. Its in alot of fine print for companies to be able to access data about anything and everything youve done online. They just need a warrant and they get what they want essentially. Its pretty much like if say the Government found you have been downloading "Stuff", all they need to do is go to your ISP and they have records of where you go "For survey reasons" and its the same with google and what they have always done. Pretty much, really they just need to get the proper authority to mooch through your history. Which im sure cant be too hard since Hollywood would come down on you like a sack of s*it. Basically, youd be screwed in every sense of the word.


Just look at the Megaupload case. Millions of 'Legitimate' users' data is still under lock down because it infringes copyright and people have lost revenue and what not because of this. It is indeed an unfortunate fact that they wont allow the data to be released but I guess in a way, I dont blame them but at the same time, its not stopping anyone going out and buying the proper DVD if they really wanted to. Its called the recession, piracy, like try before you buy, is an almost necessity as prices are going no where but up on new releases sometimes.

[Costello]

Federal Govt pulled Megaupload down regardless of SOPA/PIPA. They had the power all along, these bills are just to validate it.

[Picard]

Don't they need a court order now? And with a bill just just won't need one?

[EVOXSNES]

"We all agree that cyber security is important for users. But this bill is a step in the wrong direction, because it allows for the unlimited sharing of personal data among private companies and the government, without a single safeguard for civil liberties."

[Shroombuck]

Those who are asking for more government interference are ultimately asking for more compulsion and less freedom. Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds. If you're not comfortable with the idea that Facebook or Microsoft, etc. have access to your personal information, then don't share it with them in the first place. Although one can ask oneself: does the government - unfortunately - not already know everything about you?

[EVOXSNES]

Its not about Microsoft or Facebook or anyone you subscribe to knowing anything.

Companies could read your emails and monitor what sites you visit, see the files you download - and pass that data to the government without any liability. In response, the government agency receiving the data could pass it to other internal government agencies and use it for investigations and prosecutions unrelated to cyber security.

There is no clear definition of what the bill calls, "Cyberthreat"

The bill has vague language regarding privacy. Which at the very least will be manipulated into circumventing privacy laws.

A side note.. Microsoft has withdrawn its support.

[Shroombuck]

Only government can take perfectly good paper, cover it with perfectly good ink and make the combination worthless.