Recently, a federal court ruled that the FCC could not regulate ISPs because ISPs were in a certain group, which the FCC created, which we will call 'group B'. The FCC can continue to enforce net neutrality if they move ISPs over to 'group A'. The ruling dictated that, so long as ISPs are in 'group B', they cannot be regulated under net neutrality.
Net Neutrality aims to eliminate ISP discrimination against internet traffic, making the net freer and more open. That may all be about to change.
In order to properly fix the problem, the FCC needs Congressional permission to move ISPs to 'group A'. A major problem is that ISPs have bought and paid many lawmakers in Washington so that the FCC cannot do what it needs to do. Another problem Congress has, with its 6% approval rating is that it's too busy with its thumb up its collective ass. We are in this problem because the previous FCC chair refused to do the right thing and move the ISPs over in 2010 when he had the chance.
ISPs such as Verizon claim they are dedicated to an open internet. This is a company that has cooperated with the National Security Agency and has actively helped the US government violate the rights of American citizens through project PRISM. I trust them 'slightly more' than the US government, but I do not trust either of them period.
If left undone, the death of net neutrality means that ISPs can charge for 'premium' access and throttle internet speeds to websites they effectively want to censor. Action needs to be taken immediately before creativity and innovation is stifled: because once ISPs assume full control, if you want a new idea on the internet- you have to go through the ISP overlords to get it out there- and... you need to be in their pockets.
Showing posts with label PIPA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label PIPA. Show all posts
January 15, 2014
July 28, 2012
CISPA may no longer be a threat, but the CSA is threatened by the House
I usually don't talk about political stuff. I know. But this has to deal with the privacy and operation of the internet.
CISPA, a bill passed by the US House of Representatives, allows spy agencies in the US to collude and spy on end users in order to collect their information and use it against them, without the possibility of being charged with a crime (immunity). This interactive explains a lot of stuff about CISPA.
CSA, a bill in the Senate was drafted as a response to much needed Cyber-security legislation. It contains pieces of information that protect the privacy of users, but in the end, can allow the NSA or other spy agency to serve as an "exchange" and allow them to collect information. A council would be formed to ensure regulation, and would allow civil suits in the event of abuse. It will offer incentives to corporations (such as ones running the power grid systems) to beef up their security.
Both bills are far from perfect, and as a legislator I would vote against both bills because they both contain [potential] loopholes for government abuse, which we know the government is guilty of doing. Visibility on the future is not clear, however.
CSA has to pass the Senate and the House. The legislative branch of this country is about to shut down for the year, and may not get legislation through the house. As a result, politicians like Lamar Smith have been caught trying to funnel bills "in secret", behind closed doors, to pull a fast one on the American people.
The problem is CSA may not pass the house. This is because the legislative body in both chambers in incredibly arrogant, and wants the credit for coming up with "the solution". The House of Reps will tear the CSA bill apart and attempt to make it another CISPA, to which the President will attempt to veto it. If a tainted CSA comes up for a 2/3rds override, the Senate may retaliate and cause the vote to fail, as it is, on a majority, Democratically controlled.
What about CISPA? The senate really doesn't want to touch it, and honestly, with the CSA in existence, the Senate does not care, and will spend energy into getting CSA passed. Each chamber has its own cyber-security bill which may be mutually incompatible. It is currently too late for CISPA to do anything with the time left in this legislative session, and CSA may be at risk.
CISPA, a bill passed by the US House of Representatives, allows spy agencies in the US to collude and spy on end users in order to collect their information and use it against them, without the possibility of being charged with a crime (immunity). This interactive explains a lot of stuff about CISPA.
CSA, a bill in the Senate was drafted as a response to much needed Cyber-security legislation. It contains pieces of information that protect the privacy of users, but in the end, can allow the NSA or other spy agency to serve as an "exchange" and allow them to collect information. A council would be formed to ensure regulation, and would allow civil suits in the event of abuse. It will offer incentives to corporations (such as ones running the power grid systems) to beef up their security.
Both bills are far from perfect, and as a legislator I would vote against both bills because they both contain [potential] loopholes for government abuse, which we know the government is guilty of doing. Visibility on the future is not clear, however.
CSA has to pass the Senate and the House. The legislative branch of this country is about to shut down for the year, and may not get legislation through the house. As a result, politicians like Lamar Smith have been caught trying to funnel bills "in secret", behind closed doors, to pull a fast one on the American people.
The problem is CSA may not pass the house. This is because the legislative body in both chambers in incredibly arrogant, and wants the credit for coming up with "the solution". The House of Reps will tear the CSA bill apart and attempt to make it another CISPA, to which the President will attempt to veto it. If a tainted CSA comes up for a 2/3rds override, the Senate may retaliate and cause the vote to fail, as it is, on a majority, Democratically controlled.
What about CISPA? The senate really doesn't want to touch it, and honestly, with the CSA in existence, the Senate does not care, and will spend energy into getting CSA passed. Each chamber has its own cyber-security bill which may be mutually incompatible. It is currently too late for CISPA to do anything with the time left in this legislative session, and CSA may be at risk.
January 20, 2012
Your US Congress and SOPA/PIPA
One thing is for sure- a partial internet blackout got the attention of millions of Americans and more importantly, Washington. I have some information that I have gathered from Pro Publica to share regarding SOPA/PIPA. I used to be interested in politics, but became so disgruntled and disdained that I now avoid the dung-slinging fest. To our facts, and may they not lie:-The majority of SOPA/PIPA supporters are from California.
-The average age of a SOPA supporter is 58.
-The average age of a PIPA supporter is 64.
-The average age of collective support is 62.
-The majority of supporters were paid well by Hollywood. The largest donation being $571,000 to Barbara Boxer of California.
-The majority of supporters were not paid well by Silicon Valley. The largest donation being $348,000 to Barbara Boxer of California.
-There are 37 supporters in the Senate out of 100 possible people. The other 63 Senators either oppose the bill or are leaning towards a no answer. (37% of senators support PIPA)
-There are 26 supporters in the House out of a possible 435 possible people. The other 409 Representatives either oppose the bill or are leaning towards a no answer. (6% of representatives support SOPA)
-The majority of supporters are newer Congresspeople.
-The majority of opposition are long time Congresspeople.
-Congressional approval rating is 6-9% Among Americans.
-Job approval ratings are three times higher for the President than all of Congress combined.
Verify them yourself. Source is www.propublica.org
January 16, 2012
SOPA Suspended Indefinitely
According to the examiner, any discussions on SOPA have been suspended indefinitely. This essentially means that the bill has been stopped, but it is not dead. Like someone commented, "it's like putting it on a shelf". Shelved indeed, but a major victory. It (the bill) will no longer be discussed unless there is a serious consensus.
PIPA, or Protect IP Act, is essentially the same thing as SOPA, and it is still open for debate. It's future, however is just as cloudy as SOPA, with the author taking out any DNS blocking. As for the future of the OPEN act, which actually does something about pirating... it has been postponed to an undisclosed date from its original 1/18/2012 date.
I would suspect that internet companies still plan to protest this bill as it moves into the Senate for discussion. As for Rupert Murdoch and News Corp/Fox? He thinks you are a criminal if you are against him and these bills, and that YOU and the White House can go screw themselves.
Source 1
Source 2
PIPA, or Protect IP Act, is essentially the same thing as SOPA, and it is still open for debate. It's future, however is just as cloudy as SOPA, with the author taking out any DNS blocking. As for the future of the OPEN act, which actually does something about pirating... it has been postponed to an undisclosed date from its original 1/18/2012 date.
I would suspect that internet companies still plan to protest this bill as it moves into the Senate for discussion. As for Rupert Murdoch and News Corp/Fox? He thinks you are a criminal if you are against him and these bills, and that YOU and the White House can go screw themselves.
Source 1
Source 2
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