The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Jenn Ettinger, 202-265-1490 x 35

Dangerous Cybersecurity Bill Passes House, Despite Opposition by White House and Civil Liberties Groups

WASHINGTON

On Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to pass its privacy-threatening cybersecurity bill, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA).

The White House indicated on Tuesday that it would veto the bill in its current form, based on CISPA's failure to safeguard privacy and civil liberties.

Free Press Action Fund Policy Director Matt Wood made the following statement:

"We are disappointed that the bill's sponsors once again ignored the overwhelming opposition to this dangerous bill by the public, civil liberties advocates and even the White House.

"CISPA would still obliterate our privacy laws and chill free expression online. The few amendments made to the legislation do not address all the concerns highlighted by the White House and by the representatives who stood up against CISPA this week. We need to make sure companies remove irrelevant personal information when they share our data, and that companies can be held accountable for ignoring and abusing Internet users' civil liberties.

"If the Senate takes up cybersecurity again, it should take the necessary steps to protect everyone's privacy and personal information."

Free Press was created to give people a voice in the crucial decisions that shape our media. We believe that positive social change, racial justice and meaningful engagement in public life require equitable access to technology, diverse and independent ownership of media platforms, and journalism that holds leaders accountable and tells people what's actually happening in their communities.

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