SeraphicStar wrote:
One of my favorite sites/communities in the internets, TGWTG.com, has also been blacked out. Its contributors have been really involved in this, meeting with senators and whatnot, so it was only to be expected.
YES. Good. TGWTG is totally awesome. I'm sure that's gotten notice too.
This just in. Gaia Online isn't having a blackout but they did add a topic to the hot topics section of their forums solely for the purpose of people to discuss their thoughts and views on SOPA.
Youtube's Let's Player ArgonMatrix has done a pretty fantastic job of "blacking out" to protest SOPA & PIPA. Just thought I'd bring that to your attention too, while we're discussing who's protesting.
The site blackouts are sort of pointless now, aren't they? I mean, didn't I hear that Obama already vetoed the thingy?
SOPA yes from what I've heard but that Pipa whatever thing is still on the table from what I've heard.
Lance2011 wrote:
SOPA yes from what I've heard but that Pipa whatever thing is still on the table from what I've heard.
ditto
Andryn wrote:
The site blackouts are sort of pointless now, aren't they? I mean, didn't I hear that Obama already vetoed the thingy?
Sadly, there are two versions of the bill. The Whitehouse only promised to veto one of them. =/
SOPA isn't an immediate problem anymore but from what I hear, it's creators haven't given up, they're going back to revise it.
Claine wrote:
darth_angelus wrote:
Reddit has announced they are going ahead with a blackout on the 18th.
Link
I really hope others will do the same.
Link
I really hope others will do the same.
Isn't Reddit blacking out kind of like preaching to the choir? The point of a black out is to raise awareness to those who don't already know about SOPA. Reddit users already vehemently oppose SOPA, so this blackout, while noble, doesn't do a whole lot of good?
I might be a little late in replying to this here, and I'm sure someone else has pointed it out, but there are MILLIONS of subreddits (I am a reddit junky myself) and not everyone would see things about SOPA, especially if they have the RES and can filter what they see on the front page. This ensures that EVERYONE who reddits but might not know about SOPA will be informed, and hopefully spread the word to everyone else. Today, the date of the black out, reddit is only showing information about SOPA and how to stop it. I think that EVERY major website needs to do this! The more people who sign, the more power we have in stopping this from happening!
iskait wrote:
I might be a little late in replying to this here, and I'm sure someone else has pointed it out, but there are MILLIONS of subreddits (I am a reddit junky myself) and not everyone would see things about SOPA, especially if they have the RES and can filter what they see on the front page. This ensures that EVERYONE who reddits but might not know about SOPA will be informed, and hopefully spread the word to everyone else. Today, the date of the black out, reddit is only showing information about SOPA and how to stop it. I think that EVERY major website needs to do this! The more people who sign, the more power we have in stopping this from happening!
I learned it that way, I don't often spend much time on the front page, I wasn't fully aware of what SOPA meant until it popped up on the subreddits I follow.
PIPA has also been postponed. Neither bill is completely dead but for the time being at least, they don't threaten the Internet. These are two pieces of legislation that are worth keeping an eye on, we may find ourselves facing the same problems again a few months from now.
On a sour note, FBI shut down Megaupload and Megavideo, claiming it's a huge piracy conspiracy. (I'm trying to refind the link to the article I read)
My guess is that, since it happened just after the big SOPA/PIPA protest, they're trying to say 'look, these are the bad guys, stop protesting, we're the ones in the right'.
*facepalm*
Article. Not the one I read, but it will do.
EDIT: Is this just me being a stupid, uneducated American, or did an American Government just arrest people in New Zealand? *facepalm*
My guess is that, since it happened just after the big SOPA/PIPA protest, they're trying to say 'look, these are the bad guys, stop protesting, we're the ones in the right'.
*facepalm*
Article. Not the one I read, but it will do.
EDIT: Is this just me being a stupid, uneducated American, or did an American Government just arrest people in New Zealand? *facepalm*
You're not being stupid, that's what happened. It's also not the first time.
...Darth, can I move in with you? I'm sick of my country -.-
I don't think you'd like to live with me. I have Weeping Angels.
Well as it is, no matter where you go, you are not safe. Even if you are not an American!
Quote:
Hi everyone!
A big hurrah to you!!!!! We’ve won for now -- SOPA and PIPA were dropped by Congress today -- the votes we’ve been scrambling to mobilize against have been cancelled.
The largest online protest in history has fundamentally changed the game. You were heard.
On January 18th, 13 million of us took the time to tell Congress to protect free speech rights on the internet. Hundreds of millions, maybe a billion, people all around the world saw what we did on Wednesday. See the amazing numbers here and tell everyone what you did.
This was unprecedented. Your activism may have changed the way people fight for the public interest and basic rights forever.
The MPAA (the lobby for big movie studios which created these terrible bills) was shocked and seemingly humbled. “‘This was a whole new different game all of a sudden,’ MPAA Chairman and former Senator Chris Dodd told the New York Times. ‘[PIPA and SOPA were] considered by many to be a slam dunk.’”
“'This is altogether a new effect,' Mr. Dodd said, comparing the online movement to the Arab Spring. He could not remember seeing 'an effort that was moving with this degree of support change this dramatically' in the last four decades, he added."
Tweet with us, shout on the internet with us, let's celebrate: Round of applause to the 13 million people who stood up - #PIPA and #SOPA are tabled 4 now. #13millionapplause
We're indebted to everyone who helped in the beginning of this movement -- you, and all the sites that went out on a limb to protest in November -- Boing Boing and Mozilla Foundation (and thank you Tumblr, 4chan)! And the grassroots groups -- Public Knowledge, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Demand Progress, CDT, and many more.
A big hurrah to you!!!!! We’ve won for now -- SOPA and PIPA were dropped by Congress today -- the votes we’ve been scrambling to mobilize against have been cancelled.
The largest online protest in history has fundamentally changed the game. You were heard.
On January 18th, 13 million of us took the time to tell Congress to protect free speech rights on the internet. Hundreds of millions, maybe a billion, people all around the world saw what we did on Wednesday. See the amazing numbers here and tell everyone what you did.
This was unprecedented. Your activism may have changed the way people fight for the public interest and basic rights forever.
The MPAA (the lobby for big movie studios which created these terrible bills) was shocked and seemingly humbled. “‘This was a whole new different game all of a sudden,’ MPAA Chairman and former Senator Chris Dodd told the New York Times. ‘[PIPA and SOPA were] considered by many to be a slam dunk.’”
“'This is altogether a new effect,' Mr. Dodd said, comparing the online movement to the Arab Spring. He could not remember seeing 'an effort that was moving with this degree of support change this dramatically' in the last four decades, he added."
Tweet with us, shout on the internet with us, let's celebrate: Round of applause to the 13 million people who stood up - #PIPA and #SOPA are tabled 4 now. #13millionapplause
We're indebted to everyone who helped in the beginning of this movement -- you, and all the sites that went out on a limb to protest in November -- Boing Boing and Mozilla Foundation (and thank you Tumblr, 4chan)! And the grassroots groups -- Public Knowledge, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Demand Progress, CDT, and many more.
Unfortunately, there are always other bills being discussed that threaten internet security and free speech.
There's H.R. 1981, proposed by none other than Lamar Smith. H.R. 1981, or 'Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011' claims to 'protect children from online predators and pornographers'. Yes, protecting children from sexual predators is a very important thing to do.
However...
GCN Article
I agree with protecting children. The safety of children is of utmost importance. Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011 is an honorable goal, though horrifically written. The PCFIPA is an attempt to protect children from exploitation via stomping down on the child pornography industry.
This is a good idea. However, what they suggest to combat it would violate any right to privacy you have as an American citizen. This bill REQUIRES that your internet service provider (ISP) record and keep track of all your internet usage, bank accounts, addresses, and credit card numbers for eighteen months.
This is data being collected from all users, not just known offenders or suspected offenders. You go to your email, they've logged it, from what emails you deleted to what the password is to get to the inbox.
In short, someone could hack the servers for your IPS and easily get all your information. Where you live, what you own, what you do, and have full access to your entire internet identity. The government could investigate you without any sort of probable cause under this bill.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20084939-281/house-panel-approves-broadened-isp-snooping-bill/
Then there's ACTA, the 'Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement'.
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/after-sopapipa-in-the-us-acta-makes-its-way-to-the-eu-parliament
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16686265
What is ACTA?
Then there's the Obama Administrations attempt at 'mandatory Internet Identification', also known as the 'National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace'.
The idea is along the lines of a central identity, single password, all your credentials under one hub, and the thought that it will make ones online activity safer. Question is, will it? U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said
It won't be government controlled? Who will control it then? Read further.
Howard Schmidt, the U.S. Cybersecurity Coordinator said this in an interview:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375607,00.asp
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/are-you-ready-for-the-universal-internet-id-that-barack-obama-wants-to-impose-on-you/comment-page-1
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/business/online-id-verification-plan-carries-risks.html?_r=1
While it's not required to participate in, the lack of transparency so far is unnerving, and the lack of information regarding it is more so. Of anything, the identity card seems quite sound. But until information is actually released, I'm not keen on it, lack of requirement not withstanding.
But, we are not without a little light at the end of the tunnel.
Enter OPEN, H.R. 3782 or the 'Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act'. Backed by Google and Facebook amongst others, it was introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa of California, and OPEN is encouraging the everyday user to add to the bill to help make it better. Is it flawed? What bill isn't? But so far it's looking to be far better than SOPA, ACTA and any other attempt at stopping piracy.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/248525/sopa_pipa_stalled_meet_the_open_act.html
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/blogs/bentley/will-open-act-do-what-sopa-and-pipa-didnt/?cs=49584
Keep the Web Open
There's H.R. 1981, proposed by none other than Lamar Smith. H.R. 1981, or 'Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011' claims to 'protect children from online predators and pornographers'. Yes, protecting children from sexual predators is a very important thing to do.
However...
Quote:
"...require Internet service providers to capture credit card data, bank statements, IP information and search history from every user and keep it on hand for 18 months..."
I agree with protecting children. The safety of children is of utmost importance. Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011 is an honorable goal, though horrifically written. The PCFIPA is an attempt to protect children from exploitation via stomping down on the child pornography industry.
This is a good idea. However, what they suggest to combat it would violate any right to privacy you have as an American citizen. This bill REQUIRES that your internet service provider (ISP) record and keep track of all your internet usage, bank accounts, addresses, and credit card numbers for eighteen months.
This is data being collected from all users, not just known offenders or suspected offenders. You go to your email, they've logged it, from what emails you deleted to what the password is to get to the inbox.
In short, someone could hack the servers for your IPS and easily get all your information. Where you live, what you own, what you do, and have full access to your entire internet identity. The government could investigate you without any sort of probable cause under this bill.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31921_3-20084939-281/house-panel-approves-broadened-isp-snooping-bill/
Then there's ACTA, the 'Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement'.
Quote:
"ACTA is one more offensive against the sharing of culture on the Internet. It is an agreement secretly negotiated by a small "club" of like-minded countries (39 countries, including the 27 of the European Union, the United States, Japan, etc). Negotiated instead of being democratically debated, ACTA bypasses parliaments and international organizations to dictate a repressive logic dictated by the entertainment industries.
ACTA would impose new criminal sanctions forcing Internet actors to monitor and censor online communications. It is thus a major threat to freedom of expression online and creates legal uncertainty for Internet companies. In the name of trademarks and patents, it would also hamper access to generic medicines in poor countries."
ACTA would impose new criminal sanctions forcing Internet actors to monitor and censor online communications. It is thus a major threat to freedom of expression online and creates legal uncertainty for Internet companies. In the name of trademarks and patents, it would also hamper access to generic medicines in poor countries."
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/after-sopapipa-in-the-us-acta-makes-its-way-to-the-eu-parliament
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16686265
What is ACTA?
Then there's the Obama Administrations attempt at 'mandatory Internet Identification', also known as the 'National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace'.
The idea is along the lines of a central identity, single password, all your credentials under one hub, and the thought that it will make ones online activity safer. Question is, will it? U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said
Quote:
"...enhancing online security and privacy and reducing and perhaps even eliminating the need to memorize a dozen passwords, through creation and use of more trusted digital identities."
Howard Schmidt, the U.S. Cybersecurity Coordinator said this in an interview:
Quote:
"...the ID, or "trusted identities," would not become mandatory. Anonymity and pseudonymity will remain possible on the Internet. There will be no central database and private industry will take the lead in implementation."
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375607,00.asp
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/are-you-ready-for-the-universal-internet-id-that-barack-obama-wants-to-impose-on-you/comment-page-1
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/18/business/online-id-verification-plan-carries-risks.html?_r=1
While it's not required to participate in, the lack of transparency so far is unnerving, and the lack of information regarding it is more so. Of anything, the identity card seems quite sound. But until information is actually released, I'm not keen on it, lack of requirement not withstanding.
But, we are not without a little light at the end of the tunnel.
Enter OPEN, H.R. 3782 or the 'Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade Act'. Backed by Google and Facebook amongst others, it was introduced by Rep. Darrell Issa of California, and OPEN is encouraging the everyday user to add to the bill to help make it better. Is it flawed? What bill isn't? But so far it's looking to be far better than SOPA, ACTA and any other attempt at stopping piracy.
Quote:
"Professor Eric Goldman of the Santa Clara University School of Law reviewed the bill in detail for Ars Technica, finding it "flawed, but more salvageable" than "SOPA's disgustingly blatant rent-seeking" and praising the bill's due process features and a focus on foreign trade policy."
From the OPEN Wikipedia article
From the OPEN Wikipedia article
http://www.pcworld.com/article/248525/sopa_pipa_stalled_meet_the_open_act.html
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/blogs/bentley/will-open-act-do-what-sopa-and-pipa-didnt/?cs=49584
Keep the Web Open
eh... Acta is no threat and v overhyped from misinfo. Im unclear on obamas, but vagueries worry me.
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