4.28.2012

no privacy for you!

CISPA passed the US House of Representatives yesterday, 248-168. (Has a bit to go, but looking like it's on its way to a computer near you.)

This means any information shared by the government and private companies would be protected. Microsoft, AT&T, and Facebook support CISPA.

"If this bill is enacted, there is nothing to stop companies from sharing their customers' private information with every branch of the government, including the military. Allowing the military to spy on American citizens, on American soil, goes against every principle this nation stands for,"
Jared Polis, D-Colo. said.

From Forbes-
TechDirt’s Leigh Breadon points out that under the final version of CISPA the, “government would be able to search information it collects under CISPA for the purposes of investigating American citizens with complete immunity from all privacy protections as long as they can claim someone committed a “cybersecurity crime”. Basically it says the 4th Amendment does not apply online, at all.”

And as for the 4th Amendment-
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

So. What are your thoughts on the matter?