Internet Censorship

[speedofsound]

http://www.yff365.com/profiles/blog/show?id=2162281%3ABlogPost%3A5863

 

Amazing revelations have emerged concerning already existing government plans to overhaul the way the internet functions in order to apply much greater restrictions and control over the web.

 

 

 

Lawrence Lessig, a respected Law Professor from Stanford University told an audience at this years Fortunes Brainstorm Tech conference in Half Moon Bay, California, that Theres going to be an i-9/11 event which will act as a catalyst for a radical reworking of the law pertaining to the internet.

 

 

 

Lessig also revealed that he had learned, during a dinner with former government Counter Terrorism Czar Richard Clarke, that there is already in existence a cyber equivalent of the Patriot Act, an i-Patriot Act if you will, and that the Justice Department is waiting for a cyber terrorism event in order to implement its provisions.

 

 

 

During a group panel segment titled 2018: Life on the Net, Lessig stated:

 

 

 

Theres going to be an i-9/11 event. Which doesnt necessarily mean an Al Qaeda attack, it means an event where the instability or the insecurity of the internet becomes manifest during a malicious event which then inspires the government into a response. Youve got to remember that after 9/11 the government drew up the Patriot Act within 20 days and it was passed.

 

 

 

The Patriot Act is huge and I remember someone asking a Justice Department official how did they write such a large statute so quickly, and of course the answer was that it has been sitting in the drawers of the Justice Department for the last 20 years waiting for the event where they would pull it out.

 

 

 

Of course, the Patriot Act is filled with all sorts of insanity about changing the way civil rights are protected, or not protected in this instance. So I was having dinner with Richard Clarke and I asked him if there is an equivalent, is there an i-Patriot Act just sitting waiting for some substantial event as an excuse to radically change the way the internet works. He said of course there is.

 

 

 

Watch Lessig reveal the details at 4.30 into the following video:

 

 

 

Lessig is the founder of Stanford Law Schools Center for Internet and Society. He is founding board member of Creative Commons and is a board member of the Electronic Frontier Foundation and of the Software Freedom Law Center. He is best known as a proponent of reduced legal restrictions on copyright, trademark and radio frequency spectrum, particularly in technology applications.

 

These are clearly not the ravings of some paranoid cyber geek.

 

 

 

The Patriot Act, as well as its lesser known follow up the Domestic Security Enhancement Act 2003, also known as USA Patriot Act II, have been universally decried by civil libertarians and Constitutional scholars from across the political spectrum. They have stripped back basic rights and handed what have been described by even the most moderate critics as dictatorial control over to the president and the federal government.

 

 

 

Many believed that the legislation was a response to the attacks of 9/11, but the reality was that the Patriot Act was prepared way in advance of 9/11 and it sat dormant, awaiting an event to justify its implementation.

 

 

 

In the days after the attacks it was passed in the House by a majority of 357 to 66. It passed the Senate by 98 to 1. Congressman Ron Paul (R-Tex) told the Washington Times that no member of Congress was even allowed to read the legislation.

 

 

 

Now we discover that exactly the same freedom restricting legislation has already been prepared for the cyber world.

 

 

 

An i-9/11, as described by Lawrence Lessig, would provide the perfect pretext to implement such restrictions in one swift motion, as well as provide the justification for relegating and eliminating specific content and information on the web.

 

 

 

Such an event could come in the form of a major viral attack, the hacking of a major citys security or transport systems, or some other vital systems, or a combination of all of these things. Considering the amount of unanswered questions regarding 9/11 and all the indications that it was a covert false flag operation, it isnt hard to imagine such an event being played out in the cyber world.

 

 

 

However, regardless of any i-9/11 or i-Patriot Act, there is already a coordinated effort to stem the reach and influence of the internet.

 

 

 

We have tirelessly warned of this general movement to restrict, censor, control and eventually completely shut down the internet as we know it, thereby killing the last real vestige of free speech in the world today and eliminating the greatest communication and information tool ever conceived.

 

 

 

Our governments have reams of legislation penned to put clamps on the web as we know it. Legislation such as the PRO-IP Act of 2007: H.R. 4279, that would create an IP czar at the Department of Justice and the Intellectual Property Enforcement Act of 2007: S. 522, which would create an entire Intellectual Property Enforcement Network. These are just two examples.

 

 

 

In addition, we have already seen how the major corporate websites and social networks are decentralizing and coming together to implement overarching identification, verification and access systems that have been described by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg as the beginning of a movement and the beginning of an industry.

 

 

 

Some of these major tech companies have already joined efforts in projects such as the Information Card Foundation, which has proposed the creation of a system of internet ID cards that will be required for internet access. Of course, such a system would give those involved the ability to track and control user activity much more effectively. This is just one example.

 

 

 

In addition, as we reported yesterday, major transportation hubs like St. Pancras International, as well as libraries, big businesses, hospitals and other public outlets that offer wi-fi Internet, are blacklisting alternative news websites and making them completely inaccessible to their users.

 

 

 

These precedents are merely the first indication of what is planned for the Internet over the next 5-10 years, with the traditional web becoming little more than a vast spy database that catalogues peoples every activity and bombards them with commercials, while those who comply with centralized control and regulation of content will be free to enjoy the new super-fast Internet 2.

 

 

 

We must speak out about this rampant move to implement strict control mechanisms on the web NOW before it is too late, before the spine of the free internet is broken and its body essentially becomes paralyzed beyond repair.

 

 

What do you think? Is it all a bunch of [cabbage] or do you view this as a real issue?

 

I'm not quite sure what I think of this. The Patriot-Act isn't helping anyone and I can't see the i-Patriot-Act being any better.

[Lenticular_J]

Meh. It's stupid, but it won't affect me any.

[Rainy_Day]

I feel the internet can govern itself. It has maintained itself so far. I don't see a need for any act, especially one that obtains ever more private information about people. I don't really think there would be a way for a government to implement rules for the whole of the internet anyway. The internet is global, so good luck. :?

[reaper88888]

So basically the governement is waiting for the right time to stage a terrorist attack on the interwebz, which will give them the excuse to take away even more of our rights. Wow, that really surprises me. Just one more reason for me to leave this screwy country.

[anonymous1234]

So basically the governement is waiting for the right time to stage a terrorist attack on the interwebz, which will give them the excuse to take away even more of our rights. Wow, that really surprises me. Just one more reason for me to leave this screwy country.

 

The internet isn't limited to this country though. You can't escape the i-9/11 attack :ohnoes:

[reaper88888]

So basically the governement is waiting for the right time to stage a terrorist attack on the interwebz, which will give them the excuse to take away even more of our rights. Wow, that really surprises me. Just one more reason for me to leave this screwy country.

 

The internet isn't limited to this country though. You can't escape the i-9/11 attack :ohnoes:

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, but at least they'll have to launch an invasion for me to be under the complete control of their laws.

[Nom]

ID cards for internet access? Please. The world wide web isn't a frickin library.

[cadburys_egg]

 

 

 

In during serious business.

[Lenticular_J]

How do you even be a cyberterrorist? Reroute every link in the entire internet to Rick Roll everyone?

[scootlaboot]

How do you even be a cyberterrorist? Reroute every link in the entire internet to Rick Roll everyone?

 

No you send 50,000 messages saying you just lost the game to everyone on the net.

[gongusan]

*Looks at above few posts*

 

I swear this place is becoming the new /b. :thumbdown:

[Faux]

Is this only for the United State Americans?

[Lenticular_J]

Yeah, I think it's just us. Even though I know a few countries already do it, specifically China.

[RSBDavid]

you can say by to /b/ and most other 4chan things.

[cheese666me]

All I can say is: Im glad I live in Peru :twss:

[1_man_army]

you can say by to /b/ and most other 4chan things.

 

 

 

I'll support anything that will get rid of /b/ and 4chan.

 

 

 

 

 

Also, how the hell is an i-9/11 supposed to work? It sounds like a form you'd fill in at the post office; "You'll need to fill in an i-9/11 form to do that."

[Roberthree]

*Looks at above few posts*

 

I swear this place is becoming the new /b. :thumbdown:

 

 

 

You have EFG in your avatar.

[jackattack]

It's those damn chinese. I remember a few months ago they were talking about how the chinese hacked into the computers of two congressmen. If anything happens it will probably be them.

[Sbrideau]

I like how they say i-9/11 :lol: Apple style.

 

 

 

Imo it should be called e-9/11.

[silver_wits]

Just googled the "Patriot Act". Thank god I live in Canada.

 

and why is it that the first link you get when you google it is this: http://www.globalissues.org/Geopolitics ... /USAPA.asp

 

 

 

 

 

[hide=]The USA PATRIOT Act

 

Legislation Rushed Into Law in the Wake of 9/11/01

 

 

 

The USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) was signed into law on October 26, 2001. The text of the bill is here.

 

 

 

The law was submitted to Congress by the Bush Administration on September 24th, just 13 days after the attack. Two of the Senators who attempted to slow passage of the bill, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, were targeted with letters containing weaponized anthrax delivered to their offices on October 9. Russ Feingold was the only member of the Senate to vote against it. 1

 

Overview

 

 

 

The Campaign Committee of UNITE FOR PEACE provided the following brief rundown on the potential impact of the act on freedoms:

 

 

 

* Freedom of Association: Government may monitor religious and political institutions without suspecting criminal activity to assist terror investigations.

 

* Freedom of Information: Government has closed once-public immigration hearings, has secretly detained hundreds of people without charges, and has encouraged bureaucrats to resist public records requests.

 

* Freedom of Speech: Government may prosecute librarians or keepers of any other records if they tell anyone that the government subpoenaed information related to terror investigations.

 

* Right to Legal Representation: Government may monitor federal prison jailhouse conversations between attorneys and clients, and deny lawyers to US citizens accused of crimes.

 

* Freedom from Unreasonable Searches: Government may search and seize papers and effects owned by citizens without probable cause to assist terror investigations.

 

* Right to a Speedy and Public Trial: Government may jail anyone indefinitely without a trial, including US citizens.

 

* Right to Liberty: Anyone may be jailed without being charged or being able to confront witnesses against them.

 

 

 

A More Detailed Look

 

 

 

The American Civil Liberties Union gives a more detailed description of the provisions of the act.

 

 

 

* Secret Searches: The USA PATRIOT Act expands the ability of the government to use so called "sneak and peek" and "black bag" secret searches. These searches, depending on the target, require either no notification at all of the person being searched, or delay notification until after the search has occurred. This means that physical searches of our homes, cars, computers, workplaces and reading materials can be conducted without our knowledge. These provisions apply both in anti-terrorism investigations and routine criminal investigations. aclu.org

 

* Government Surveillance: The USA PATRIOT Act minimizes the power of the courts to prevent law enforcement authorities from illegally abusing certain types of telephone and Internet surveillance in both anti-terrorism investigations and run-of-the-mill criminal investigations of American citizens. Law enforcement officials have the power to investigate American citizens for criminal matters without establishing probable cause if they designate that the investigation is for "intelligence purposes." The Director of Central Intelligence also has broad authority to identify individuals as targets for intelligence surveillance, placing the CIA firmly back in the business of spying on Americans.

 

* Privacy: The USA PATRIOT Act granted the FBI -- and, under new information sharing provisions, many other law enforcement and intelligence agencies -- broad access to highly personal medical, financial, mental health, library and student records with only the most minimal judicial oversight. The court must issue a subpoena whenever the FBI states that it is for an investigation to protect against international terrorism. The recipient of the subpoena is prohibited from telling anyone that the FBI has asked for the information. Now the FBI can get the entire database of a credit card company or the records of everyone who has used a certain public library. It can obtain information on everyone registered at a particular hotel, hospital, or university. It does not need to show probable cause that a crime is, has been, or will be committed.

 

* Dissent/Free Speech: The USA PATRIOT Act has the very real potential to greatly chill constitutionally protected speech in its overbroad redefinition of "domestic terrorism." The new definition is so vague that it could allow the government to designate lawful advocacy groups, like Greenpeace and Operation Rescue, as terrorist groups and subject them to invasive surveillance, wiretapping, harassment and then criminally penalize them for protected political advocacy.

 

* Bill of Rights for Non-Citizens: The USA PATRIOT Act permits the Attorney General to incarcerate or detain non-citizens based on mere suspicion and to deny re-admission to the US of non-citizens (including legal, long-term permanent residents) for engaging in speech protected by the First Amendment.[/hide]

 

 

 

anything in red that I highlighted gave me wtf moments.

[Orpheus]

This, alone, is why I've actually come to loathe this country even more. I'm definitely moving out of this country as soon as I have the chance to. Canada, England, I don't care, just somewhere other than the U.S., especially after reading both of those. It makes me wonder what the government is really hiding. You can't police the internet, you don't have the manpower to do so, and even with that, someone could use a proxy to access the internet, and it'd be hard to detect(correct me if I'm wrong). The articles made me feel a pit in my stomach, so I really don't like what it could mean for us if this is passed.

[Lenticular_J]

It isn't really that big of a deal, the intelligence on people who they prosecute with it is quite good, and they're often terrorists. If you don't have a reason to be worried (not checking out "Bomb Making for Dummies"), it's no real problem.

 

 

 

Yet.

 

 

 

Besides, if it really is the "Patriot Act" of the internet, it's not gonna be a big deal unless Al Queada (spelled it wrong >_>) has a recruiting website. This is pushing it a good bit, though. We do live in an age of paranoia, I'm afraid.

 

 

 

Oh, and Ultimania, hope you don't want to go to China.

[IvanZZ]

Lol i can't believe people don't know about all the rights that the Patriot Act has infringed upon. I mean basic right to fair trial, warrants. As soon as I did a little research about the Patriot Act I was wholeheartedly glad I lived north of the border. Geez, please all you sensible americans who don't want to be slaves under your own government, live with us. We have snow, maple syrup, plenty of space for everyone and the government ISN'T afraid of its own people. And our own government actually tries to follow the rules.

[silver_wits]

but but.. "government may prosecute librarians"

 

what did librarians ever do to them??? :cry:

[gongusan]

*Looks at above few posts*

 

I swear this place is becoming the new /b. :thumbdown:

 

 

 

You have EFG in your avatar.

 

So?

 

He's awesome, in fact, he's the only thing that I like in /b/.