What's CISPA?
It's the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2011, and is technically an amendment to the National Security Act of 1947. It allows companies (ISPs) to share your information with the government for "national security purposes."
Why is it dangerous?
Numerous sources say that the wording of the bill is "painfully vague," and could allow for misuse and abuse under the guise of "cyber" security. As with SOPA and PIPA, your right to a reasonable expectation of privacy is obliterated. This bill will override any current privacy laws in place. One may argue that anything we do on the Internet is not private. While I might agree for certain things, I should have a reasonable expectation of privacy when surfing the Net. Oh, and they don't even have to tell you when there's been a request for your personal data.
I'm all for protecting our infrastructure against "cyber" (I really hate that word) attacks, but our forefathers put checks and balances in place for a reason. If you require my personal data, either I give you permission to access it, or you have just cause for a warrant, signed by a judge, to obtain it. None of this:
GOV:"Plz can we have sum dataz?"
CORP: "Sure! Herez some really juicy stuff on Joe Schmoe"
GOV: "Sweet! OMG! Look at all this cyber informashunz! You rock, CORP!"
CORP: "NP!"
GOV: "Kthxbai!"
How does it differ from SOPA?
Well, here's a link that explains a little about how it's different. Basically it boils down to CISPA being aimed at protecting against "cyber" attacks, while SOPA was aimed at protecting intellectual property. Second, it protects companies that share your data against lawsuits that one might bring against them for not protecting your private information. Lastly, the main difference is that it has the support of some of the corporations that were against SOPA, e.g. Google and Facebook.
Why are they for this bill?
Simple. It protects them from losing millions of dollars in a possible lawsuit brought against them for sharing your private information. It also takes the job of policing the Internet out of their hands as they would have had to do with SOPA -- again, saving them millions of dollars.
Want proof that our country is run by "we, the corporations" and not "we, the people?"
With the support of major corporations, and a massive protest by the people, SOPA was defeated. Without the support of major corporations, but with massive protests by the people, this bill will probably pass. Luckily, the Obama Administration is opposed to the bill in its current form, and has threatened to veto it. Unfortunately, this bill has bipartisan support, and may be able to override a veto. It currently has 112 cosponsors, with more congress critters claiming support every day.
What the hell can I do to stop the bill from passing?
Go here to send a "TMI" Tweet to your representatives. Fun, but not really effective.
Go here to look up your congress critter and send them an email with your concerns; or call them.
Above all, if we continue to vote for the types of people who care more about corporations than they do about the people, then we deserve what we get. My email to my rep will clearly state that if he votes "yes" on this bill, he will not be getting my vote in the next election. I ask you to do the same.
Kthxbai!
