Is CISPA the new SOPA? Should we be concerned?

[skwirly715]

I hope everyone remembers SOPA, a radical, reactionary anti-piracy bill that failed because the American people saw their rights being threatened and stood up against it. Well now we have CISPA, a bill suspiciously similar to SOPA that has already passed the House of Representatives because the vote was rushed in order to avoid the same results they saw with SOPA. Even if you are not American I hope you can understand the potential for disaster hear. I have not personally read the bill yet, but intend to. I remember how the Escapist and the entire Escapist community helped publicize and stand up to SOPA and so I ask you Escapist users... is CISPA next? Should we be concerned? We have to decide, because it is not to late. The bill has yet to meet the senate, yet to see the desk of the President. We still have time to stop this, if we have to. Should we?

 

[Bebop]

You should always be concerned when things violate your constitutional rights. The CISPA bill states that companies can hand over your private information to the government of you are suspected of cyber terrorism. This bill somewhat coincides with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which states that of you are suspected of terrorism the US government can hold the person indefinitely, No indictment.No judge or jury.No evidence.No trial.Just an indefinite jail sentence. Now lets say you post an article saying you thing the government is wrong and needs to be fixed, that can be considered terrorism because we all know that protesting is illegal in the us. If they get your email they can say you committed terristic acts by protesting and hold you indefinitely according to the NDAA. This bill makes it that much more easy for a person to get his or her rights taken away. Now i dont think that passing this bill will do anything because we all know that the government has this information anyways. But if this bill passes and a public figure protests, if they get detained the government can say that his email was full of "Pro Terrorism" ideas instead of saying "That information is disclosed" when asked why he was kidnapped from his home at night.

 

[evilneko]

1. Is CISPA the new SOPA?

No, it's not.

2. Should we be concerned?

Not really. It's not that big a deal. From another thread:

I'm reading the bill and... not really seeing a problem, except for the section that eliminates any legal recourse

EXEMPTION FROM LIABILITY
No civil or criminal cause of action shall lie or be maintained in
Federal or State court against a protected entity,
self-protected entity, cybersecurity provider, or an
officer, employee, or agent of a protected entity, self-
protected entity, or cybersecurity provider, acting in
good faith?
(A) for using cybersecurity systems or
sharing information in accordance with this sec-
tion; or
(B) for not acting on information ob-
tained or shared in accordance with this sec-
tion.

I mean, aside from that much of this is what IS professionals and law enforcement do already in the course of their jobs. Part b, paragraph 2 might make vulnerability research and disclosure slightly more thorny but it'll probably only require some small change to disclosure policy.

I see absolutely nothing even approaching censorship in the bill. It's purely about sharing of information that is already gathered as part of any worthwhile investigation of online attacks.

The only connection it would seem to have with SOPA is a pronounceable acronym.

 

[Lugbzurg]

Do we need to be worried? Is it the new SOPA? HECK, YEAH!

It's several times worse!
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2012/04/cybersecurity-bill-faq-disturbing-privacy-dangers-cispa-and-how-you-stop-it
Basically, what CISPA would do is completely erase privacy as we know it. Every little thing everyone would say and do on the internet, on the phone and in our own mail would be monitored by the Government, and there would be nothing we could do about it.

 

[Aprilgold]

Its not all that bad, but it still is terrible, if that makes any sense. Also, Obama said he would Veto it out on its ass if it makes it to him, causing it to do the dirty deed again.

I'm not worried because Obama will more then likely stick by his word, if he wants any chance at a second run in the office.

 

[immortalfrieza]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

 

[Bebop]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

There have been many bills that can bypass our rights that have been passed. Rex 84 and NDAA are just to name a few. Of course its not constant like CISPA is but when the time comes will not have any rights.

 

[Lionsfan]

I really wish people would stop freaking out over little stuff.

In 3 words: No it's not

 

[immortalfrieza]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

There have been many bills that can bypass our rights that have been passed. Rex 84 and NDAA are just to name a few. Of course its not constant like CISPA is but when the time comes will not have any rights.

We never HAD any rights to begin with. Self entitlement is just as rampant 200 years ago as it was today, and the Constitution was created in order to try and justify that sense of entitlement as well as try to make it everlasting. We are not born with any rights or anything at all for that matter, we never were, and neither the world nor the government owe us anything just because we were born. We are not entitled to anything, even what we earn or take.

Besides, the Constitution is only a tool those in power use to keep the masses from rising up against them. If the President or whoever could install themselves as dictator and get away with it, you bet they would in a second. The only reason the Constitution has any power at all is the higher ups have to uphold it in order to be able to twist it to their own ends. The Constitution is a Paradox, used to let the government get away with crap left and right, but also creates a sense of entitlement in the masses that would cause them to rebel if the goverment blatantly broke it, so the government has to be subtle and put up really good excuses if they want to get away with breaking it.

Really, we masses are stuck in a very gradual loss that has been going on for 200 years. The government can't just up and take over people's lives completely, but they CAN take them away bit by bit until we have nothing but don't even notice anymore, I give it another century, 2 tops before that happens. However, until then, laws like the ones you mentioned, as well as CISPA and SOPA are harmless because they can't actually be used in ways that clearly break the Constitution, or we masses won't shut up until it gets repealed.

 

[Lilani]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

You haven't really read anything about what CISPA is supposed to do, have you? SOPA was all about piracy. CISPA is all about cyber-terrorism.

 

[Something Amyss]

Another one!? Cool! Oh I shall sit back and enjoy the spectacle from here, as I would the destruction of Megaton. Have I got everything? Have I got my tunnel snakes jacket? Cool. Let's do this.

Yeah, I'll bring the popcorn.

I'm not worried because Obama will more then likely stick by his word, if he wants any chance at a second run in the office.

Obama said he would veto it based on certain objections. The version that passed the House was changed.

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed.

Yeah, kind of a shame this predates the demise of SOPA or even the hype against it.

 

[Lilani]

Really, we masses are stuck in a very gradual loss that has been going on for 200 years. The government can't just up and take over people's lives completely, but they CAN take them away bit by bit until we have nothing but don't even notice anymore, I give it another century, 2 tops before that happens. However, until then, laws like the ones you mentioned, as well as CISPA and SOPA are harmless because they can't actually be used in ways that clearly break the Constitution, or we masses won't shut up until it gets repealed.

Ha, wow, you know very little about history, don't you?

Did you know that up through WWI and WWII publicly voicing a negative opinion about the government or the troops during a wartime could get you arrested or charged with treason? The reason there are no basically anti-war films, books, or periodicals from that period is because they literally couldn't make them without serious consequences. It wasn't until the Korean and Vietnam wars that the first amendment actually started applying during wartimes.

If anything, our civil liberties have increased since the country was founded. But what would you rather have if you think our system is so rotted to the core? Anarchy? Yeah, that'll provide a more stable environment with convenient, well-maintained infrastructure and a great standard of living.

 

[Bebop]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

There have been many bills that can bypass our rights that have been passed. Rex 84 and NDAA are just to name a few. Of course its not constant like CISPA is but when the time comes will not have any rights.

We never HAD any rights to begin with. Self entitlement is just as rampant 200 years ago as it was today, and the Constitution was created in order to try and justify that sense of entitlement as well as try to make it everlasting. We are not born with any rights or anything at all for that matter, we never were, and neither the world nor the government owe us anything just because we were born. We are not entitled to anything, even what we earn or take.

Besides, the Constitution is only a tool those in power use to keep the masses from rising up against them. If the President or whoever could install themselves as dictator and get away with it, you bet they would in a second. The only reason the Constitution has any power at all is the higher ups have to uphold it in order to be able to twist it to their own ends. The Constitution is a Paradox, used to let the government get away with crap left and right, but also creates a sense of entitlement in the masses that would cause them to rebel if the goverment blatantly broke it, so the government has to be subtle and put up really good excuses if they want to get away with breaking it.

Really, we masses are stuck in a very gradual loss that has been going on for 200 years. The government can't just up and take over people's lives completely, but they CAN take them away bit by bit until we have nothing but don't even notice anymore, I give it another century, 2 tops before that happens. However, until then, laws like the ones you mentioned, as well as CISPA and SOPA are harmless because they can't actually be used in ways that clearly break the Constitution, or we masses won't shut up until it gets repealed.

In my opinion if you know your rights you cant be touched. When people dont know there own right, then what you said applies. The thing is people nowadays dont know theyre own rights to the point where cops can arrest you for doing no harm. But if you actually go through the constitution and can state your own rights people cant touch you.

 

[immortalfrieza]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

You haven't really read anything about what CISPA is supposed to do, have you? SOPA was all about piracy. CISPA is all about cyber-terrorism.

Piracy can easily be put under cyber-terrorism, that's why it's a concern to begin with.

Did you know that up through WWI and WWII publicly voicing a negative opinion about the government or the troops during a wartime could get you arrested or charged with treason? The reason there are no basically anti-war films, books, or periodicals from that period is because they literally couldn't make them without serious consequences. It wasn't until the Korean and Vietnam wars that the first amendment actually started applying during wartimes.

If the Constitution really mattered like you claim, the First Amendment would have applied at any and all times without exception during WW1 and 2, it shouldn't have taken the Korean and Vietnam wars to make that happen. In fact, I would cite WW1 and 2 as perfect examples of times when the government has taken away our so called inalienable rights thanks to a big excuse to do so.

 

[immortalfrieza]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed.

Yeah, kind of a shame this predates the demise of SOPA or even the hype against it.

I was not in fact aware that CISPA predates SOPA, but it actually irrelevant which came first, it's the same idea either way.

 

[immortalfrieza]

Is it a new SOPA? Of course it is. They're going to slightly change that bill and call it a new one until it finally gets passed. Which will be never. CISPA, SOPA, and any other bill that infringes on human rights will NEVER be passed, and even if they are they won't be used in the abusive way people think they will or it would be repealed in a second. On top of that, it won't do a single thing to stop Piracy either. So no, you don't need to be concerned.

There have been many bills that can bypass our rights that have been passed. Rex 84 and NDAA are just to name a few. Of course its not constant like CISPA is but when the time comes will not have any rights.

We never HAD any rights to begin with. Self entitlement is just as rampant 200 years ago as it was today, and the Constitution was created in order to try and justify that sense of entitlement as well as try to make it everlasting. We are not born with any rights or anything at all for that matter, we never were, and neither the world nor the government owe us anything just because we were born. We are not entitled to anything, even what we earn or take.

Besides, the Constitution is only a tool those in power use to keep the masses from rising up against them. If the President or whoever could install themselves as dictator and get away with it, you bet they would in a second. The only reason the Constitution has any power at all is the higher ups have to uphold it in order to be able to twist it to their own ends. The Constitution is a Paradox, used to let the government get away with crap left and right, but also creates a sense of entitlement in the masses that would cause them to rebel if the goverment blatantly broke it, so the government has to be subtle and put up really good excuses if they want to get away with breaking it.

Really, we masses are stuck in a very gradual loss that has been going on for 200 years. The government can't just up and take over people's lives completely, but they CAN take them away bit by bit until we have nothing but don't even notice anymore, I give it another century, 2 tops before that happens. However, until then, laws like the ones you mentioned, as well as CISPA and SOPA are harmless because they can't actually be used in ways that clearly break the Constitution, or we masses won't shut up until it gets repealed.

In my opinion if you know your rights you cant be touched. When people dont know there own right, then what you said applies. The thing is people nowadays dont know theyre own rights to the point where cops can arrest you for doing no harm. But if you actually go through the constitution and can state your own rights people cant touch you.

My point was NOW everyone can do the above, but will everybody always be able to? Probably not. Besides, there's already ways that the Government can bypass many of people's rights already, like the NDAA you mentioned. In fact, with the NDAA you only have to be ACCUSED of terrorism, there doesn't have to be any proof whatsoever, whenever a terrorist attack of some sort occurs they could if they wanted just pick random people off the streets, accuse them, and lock them up for life, trial or no.

 

[Lilani]

If the Constitution really mattered like you claim, the First Amendment would have applied at any and all times without exception during WW1 and 2, it shouldn't have taken the Korean and Vietnam wars to make that happen. In fact, I would cite WW1 and 2 as perfect examples of times when the government has taken away our so called inalienable rights thanks to a big excuse to do so.

Yeah, by all rights it SHOULD have applied. It just DIDN'T, because of the overwhelming fear that people being able to freely talk about how much they think war sucks could lead to the country completely falling apart. But now we're a bit more mature and we know simply expressing a negative opinion does not an insurrection make. In fact, it's the opinions people AREN'T openly voicing that can be the most dangerous.

It did help that WWI and WWII weren't terribly controversial wars, though. There weren't too many negative opinions people were wanting to voice in the first place. Though probably without all the pressure to be patriotic we at least wouldn't have seen so much anti-Hitler propaganda in comics, cartoons, and movies. Plus, it wasn't really unexpected. Dialing down the negativity and dialing up the patriotism was just sort of standard operating procedure during wartime, and the people knew it. So it's not like they were conspiring to take away rights...it just sort of happened.

Vietnam changed things because for the first time, people had enough media coverage of the war to know what was going on in a play-by-play manner, not totally glossed over by the propaganda machine. That compounded with the more ambiguous enemy and questionable reasons for attacking them in the first place gave people, for the first time in US history, a reason to question the military's intentions. WWII was a pretty black and white, good VS evil war, and all the other wars previously didn't have enough news coverage available for people to form different opinions. Had Vietnam and WWII been switched in where they took place in history, I think both wars would be painted in very different lights.

You should really read about all this yourself, though. History and government aren't as black and white as you think, and people haven't always thought the same way as we do today. You think it's crazy that people back then wouldn't mind not being able to voice negative opinions on the war? They would find it crazy that you'd have a negative opinion on them in the first place.

 

[Something Amyss]

I was not in fact aware that CISPA predates SOPA, but it actually irrelevant which came first, it's the same idea either way.

Not if you're, you know, paying attention and stuff.

I'm not saying one needs to know when CISPA was proposed to know what it does, but the attention to detail that allows one to know the former might assist in the understanding of the latter.