9 ms·

US government rescinds 'leave Internet alone' policy

42 points by chris11 17y ago

aohtsab 17y ago
I wonder how the government will define copyright infringement -- does this mean anyone with copyrighted material on their computer will be "banned from the internet"? (also - what does that even mean?)
Zak 17y ago
I'll be writing my congress people with something to the effect of "do not want". You should too.
- DanielBMarkham 17y ago
  Absolutely. Will do. Also note that this article quotes an administration official. Everybody who voted for this administration should write them and tell them that this is a Very Bad Idea.
  - yummyfajitas 17y ago
    With Joe Biden as a member of this administration, it should not come as a surprise to anyone. Biden opposes encryption, loves the patriot act, and wanted to legalize permanent detention of non-U.S. citizens without judicial review (this was Feb 1995, before the war on terror). Is it any surprise that the government now wants control of the internet? http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10024163-38.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10024163-38.html
  - Zak 17y ago
    Everyone who didn't vote for them should also do so. Aside from the fact that they don't know who voted how, a possible swing voter's opinion matters more than that of a loyal party member.
edj 17y ago
I can't really tell if this is something legitimately new and scary, or if it's just a mix of political grandstanding and journalistic FUD.
- bricestacey 17y ago
  It's very real. Countries across Europe are passing similar laws, pressured heavily by US copyright lobbies. It's no surprise that the US is finally following suit. Ironically, these very laws are driving internet users to purchase anonymous VPNs to completely protect their privacy - preventing ISPs and government agencies from knowing anything at all concerning their online use. So, yes, it's real, but the ultimate outcome may be greater privacy.
dantheman 17y ago
Here's another HN post that actually has the NTIA release on this: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1157482 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1157482 This is very bad.
Locke1689 17y ago
Hmm, this article is a little light on the facts. Internet "regulation" can mean so many things that I'll wait until they make a proposal. For example, if they make some law requiring "internet security," I'll just laugh in their faces. Technology doesn't work some way just because you'd like it to.

42 points by chris11 17y ago

I wonder how the government will define copyright infringement -- does this mean anyone with copyrighted material on their computer will be "banned from the internet"? (also - what does that even mean?)

Zak 17y ago

I'll be writing my congress people with something to the effect of "do not want". You should too.

DanielBMarkham 17y ago
Absolutely. Will do. Also note that this article quotes an administration official. Everybody who voted for this administration should write them and tell them that this is a Very Bad Idea.
- yummyfajitas 17y ago
  With Joe Biden as a member of this administration, it should not come as a surprise to anyone. Biden opposes encryption, loves the patriot act, and wanted to legalize permanent detention of non-U.S. citizens without judicial review (this was Feb 1995, before the war on terror). Is it any surprise that the government now wants control of the internet? http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10024163-38.html http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10024163-38.html
- Zak 17y ago
  Everyone who didn't vote for them should also do so. Aside from the fact that they don't know who voted how, a possible swing voter's opinion matters more than that of a loyal party member.

edj 17y ago

I can't really tell if this is something legitimately new and scary, or if it's just a mix of political grandstanding and journalistic FUD.

bricestacey 17y ago
It's very real. Countries across Europe are passing similar laws, pressured heavily by US copyright lobbies. It's no surprise that the US is finally following suit. Ironically, these very laws are driving internet users to purchase anonymous VPNs to completely protect their privacy - preventing ISPs and government agencies from knowing anything at all concerning their online use. So, yes, it's real, but the ultimate outcome may be greater privacy.

dantheman 17y ago

Here's another HN post that actually has the NTIA release on this: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1157482 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1157482 This is very bad.

Locke1689 17y ago

Hmm, this article is a little light on the facts. Internet "regulation" can mean so many things that I'll wait until they make a proposal. For example, if they make some law requiring "internet security," I'll just laugh in their faces. Technology doesn't work some way just because you'd like it to.