Stop the Great Firewall of America

Protection sometimes can go too far. Proposed US legislation that aims to prevent the theft of intellectual property could actually aid and abet censorship efforts, complementing those in China. “The bills would empower the attorney general to create a blacklist of sites to be blocked by Internet service providers, search engines, payment providers and advertising networks, all without a court hearing or a trial,” writes Rebecca MacKinnon. Corrupt companies or institutions could use the legislation to block legitimate criticisms. Internet communications over YouTube, Twitter and Facebook have spurred protest movements and social change, she reminds. Currently websites can evade liability by quickly removing content, but a US House of Representatives bill would allow lawsuits to proceed on any posting however brief – effectively shutting down the liveliest of internet debates and presenting impossible burdens for new startup companies. In societies with polarized politics, MacKinnon concludes, the so-called protections could be abused by the powerful, with money to sue, and erode citizen rights. – YaleGlobal