Risky Business

New Bill Would Let Obama Snoop In Computer Files

April 10, 2009 RSS Feed Print

Comment (3)
Tweet

Just because George W. Bush is out of office doesn't mean the days of warrantless searches are over. A bill recently introduced to Congress--the Cybersecurity Act of 2009--has civil libertarians angry over a few provisions that would give the executive branch new powers to control the private sector in cyberspace.

The bill has many components, but there are two elements in particular that are stirring up controversy.

The first element makes businesses a particular target. According to Computerworld, it would allow the president to "classify any corporate network as a piece of critical infrastructure" and shut it down at will.

Here's the second element as reported by eWeek:

The legislation also calls for a public-private clearinghouse for cyber-threats and vulnerability information under Department of Commerce authority. The Secretary of Commerce would have the authority to access "all relevant data concerning such networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule or policy restricting such access."

A Washington Examiner editorial interprets this provision to be tantamount to warrantless snooping:

This amounts to warrantless wiretaps on steroids, directed at U.S. citizens instead of foreign terrorists.

Tags:: small business

« Previous Post Next Post »

Reader Comments Read all comments (3)

Add Your Thoughts Comment Name State Email

Please enter the two words below into the text field underneath the image.

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Such blatant derogatory accusations should be substantiated. I agree with the concern of whose interpretations justify such an asinine article headline. It is shameful and downright embarrasing that so many delusionally intelligent in our society cling to mean-spirited foolishness to garner the attention they so desperately seek.
I am sick of one idiot after another straining to give Bush credit for American safety. The fact is it was his lack of respectability in the international community that gave hate-mongerers the balls to even attack America in the first place. I have a law degree and the legislation hastily passed after 9-11 opened the door to many violations of civil liberties. The kind of violations that American history has proven to be easily committed without a second thought to justice and fairness. As an African American born and raised in the Deep South, I am quite familiar with some people's ideas of 'protecting their way of life.' And I don't even have to read it out of a history book.
To accuse President Obama of even having that quality of conscience is utterly ridiculous; especially with only a mere reference to some vague and mysterious interpretation of legislation that was not even cited.
The writer of this article should be ashamed of this low-quality non-journalism. If you don't have the skill to do better, you should at least have the character. This is clearly intended to be reality-show quality entertainment and not news.

Sense & Sensibility of GA 11:44PM April 12, 2009

As a fellow southerner I must say, you're making us look bad.
In all seriousness, ANY bill that you have concerns about CAN be found at the US "official" congressional website. So far, it does not seem to be biasd by party but too many Americans are neglecting to see what OUR leaders are doing with the power that we have intrusted them with. I was extremely concerned with the legislation enacted after 911 because I saw the possibility for exploitation. A HUGE "homeland security" department with unprecedented authority could definately be misused. GWB after 8 years has proved that he was trustworthy to average Americans and kept the US safe. The more I see of Obama's New World Agenda and the rising desent against him, I truely believe we have reason for concern.
Please research the bill yourself and do not believe any "opinion". Everybody's got one

Chris Petty of GA 8:12PM April 10, 2009

We need a provision to find out just exactly who the Washington Examiner editorial interpreter is and by what authority he/she interprets the provisions of the new warrantless snooping bill that he/she interpretes Obama will have the same snooping rights as Bush did.
Unsubstantiated attacks by unnamed persons is the same kind of smear tactics that are routine for those out of power and do nothing to help by-partisan cooperation to undo the damage done by the past administration.

HillbillyBill of TN 3:06PM April 10, 2009