Posts Tagged ‘SOPA’

Internet Attacks

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

In his article What Wikipedia Won’t Tell You Cary H. Sherman, chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America, wrote the following in response to public claims against SOPA and PIPA:

“Since when is it censorship to shut down an operation that an American court, upon a thorough review of evidence, has determined to be illegal? When the police close down a store fencing stolen goods, it isn’t censorship, but when those stolen goods are fenced online, it is?”

Sherman wrote for the less represented voice that ultimately cried about SOPA and PIPA. Arguments against this stated that the legislative terms used were not so clear and went beyond harvesting stolen works. Across the Internet, fears rose on what SOPA and PIPA could mean, and perhaps rightfully so. With the abstruse wording of legislation, lawyers are necessary to both write and then explain what legislation means.

Arguments against SOPA and PIPA claim that the wording isn’t definitive enough. Either way, it makes evident that a vast population lacks knowledge of what SOPA and PIPA could or could not do. When sopapipaaffect.com asked for thoughts about SOPA and PIPA the first response appeared as “I think it’s unfair that they wanna shut down Wikipedia and control the internet. It’s like basically controlling how we communicate. How many are against SOPA & PIPA? How many protested against them?” and the ‘Best answer’ was “I think its wrong and im against it.”

Outrage spread through major participants across the Internet didn’t show the intent of SOPA and PIPA but instead attempted to reveal a possible outcome. But the possible outcomes they portrayed seemed to form how many perceived the actual bill meanings.

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Internet Security Sounds Secure

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Security and privacy are concepts with remarkable favoring, when not associated with the Internet. Why does so much resistance to “Internet security” or “Internet privacy” exist?

-          Because of the freedom that the Internet allows for

-          Because of the restrictions that security and privacy can create

For many the notions of securing the Internet, protecting the Internet, and stopping online piracy, means actively censoring . At the same time, others take protecting and securing the Internet to mean that their works will no longer by illegally used or that false facts will no longer be published.

As a result of widespread outrage to concepts on limiting the open Internet, SOPA and PIPA were put on hold or moved for revisions. However, the movements for Internet security are proving to be relentless and look like they will turn into a major decade debate. Today, the Obama administration introduced the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights and the controversy has already emerged. Main points of the bill:

  1. INDIVIDUAL CONTROL:  Consumers have a right to exercise control over what personal data companies collect from them and how they use it.
  2. 2. TRANSPARENCY:  Consumers have a right to easily understandable and accessible information about privacy and security practices.
  3. RESPECT FOR CONTEXT:  Consumers have a right to expect that companies will collect, use, and disclose personal data in ways that are consistent with the context in which consumers provide the data.
  4. 4. SECURITY:  Consumers have a right to secure and responsible handling of personal data.
  5. ACCESS AND ACCURACY:  Consumers have a right to access and correct personal data in usable formats, in a manner that is appropriate to the sensitivity of the data and the risk of adverse consequences to consumers if the data is inaccurate.
  6. FOCUSED COLLECTION:  Consumers have a right to reasonable limits on the personal data that companies collect and retain.
  7. ACCOUNTABILITY:  Consumers have a right to have personal data handled by companies with appropriate measures in place to assure they adhere to the Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights.

This bill is with stated efforts to “protect individual privacy rights” but will the public reject it with the same passion used against SOPA and PIPA, or will they recognize the bill as a tool for their personal Internet security. The battle for or against seems crucial to the Obama administration as the pressure from both sides must be overwhelming.

One identifying factor for the “Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights” is its aim towards protecting the individual whereas SOPA and PIPA aimed at protecting larger parties.  This may allow for the bill to receive a more welcoming introduction.

Further Reading:

Obama Administration Seeks Online Privacy Rules

What Are SOPA and PAPA And Why All The Fuss?

Microsoft Wipes Privacy Sidestepping on Google, Why Not Facebook Too?

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