Internet Censorship - It's good for you

[99.vikram]

Congress Screams Kiddie Porn, Tries To Kill Public WiFi

That's what the people in charge seem to think anyway. Luckily the government over here hasn't noticed that the internet even exists, but I can't help thinking that the rest of the world will follow suit in the near future with more "safety" laws to cripple internet access.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a bill saying that anyone offering an open Wi-Fi connection to the public must report illegal images including "obscene" cartoons and drawings--or face fines of up to $300,000.

That broad definition would cover individuals, coffee shops, libraries, hotels, and even some government agencies that provide Wi-Fi. It also sweeps in social-networking sites, domain name registrars, Internet service providers, and e-mail service providers such as Hotmail and Gmail, and it may require that the complete contents of the user's account be retained for subsequent police inspection.

How much policing is too much? Do we allow cops into our homes without a warrant? Then why should people let the government filter what they see on the net? Srsly, think of better ways to catch pedophiles, or just give up, because the world is better off without laws like this to "protect" us from the big, bad intertubes.

Oh, and I can't imagine this helping Wi-Fi providers in any way.

 

[Darkside55]

They'll never outlaw drawings. The Supreme Court decided a long time ago that a virtual representation, such as a drawing or a 3D image, is unconstitutional.

Also, this news isn't that big a deal, you know. Unless you're somebody who browses for loli while sitting at the cafe.

 

[99.vikram]

It also sweeps in social-networking sites...and e-mail service providers such as Hotmail and Gmail, and it may require that the complete contents of the user's account be retained for subsequent police inspection.

Sounds like a big deal to me.

 

[Darkside55]

"To be retained for subsequent inspection." It sounds like only a big deal if you don't report child pornography, and why wouldn't you? The police would only want your e-mail and blog searched if they suspect you of child porn. Why is that a bad thing?

 

[Jintor]

The obscene cartoons and drawings bit looks a bit odd to my eyes.

 

[99.vikram]

"To be retained for subsequent inspection." It sounds like only a big deal if you don't report child pornography, and why wouldn't you? The police would only want your e-mail and blog searched if they suspect you of child porn. Why is that a bad thing?

And the police can ruffle through my mail and barge into my house anytime they suspect something.

(1) The keyword here is warrant. Who decides whether they have solid evidence to violate someone's privacy? And this whole "public must report" business sounds very scary to me. What if I am reported by someone who hates me? What if a stranger reports me for kicks? If the legal system isn't competent enough to investigate child porn effectively, don't violate innocent people's privacy to fix that.

(2) The cartoons bit is also worrisome. I call 1984.

(3) If they can get your mail, presumably they can take your hard drive. Since when did pedophilia become such a widespread epidemic that basic rights can be trampled on to stop it? "Think of the children!!" alarmism.

Just to be clear, I don't live in America, so this law doesn't affect me (yet).

 

[Darkside55]

And the police can ruffle through my mail and barge into my house anytime they suspect something.

(1) The keyword here is warrant. Who decides whether they have solid evidence to violate someone's privacy? And this whole "public must report" business sounds very scary to me. What if I am reported by someone who hates me? What if a stranger reports me for kicks? If the legal system isn't competent enough to investigate child porn effectively, don't violate innocent people's privacy to fix that.

I suppose you have a point here about needing a warrant to go through peoples' mail. Thing is, I think it's that they'd only do it if you were really suspected of something, not just witch hunts. Maybe I'm not understanding it correctly. In any case I don't think people will be getting falsely reported by "people who hate them." It's silly. And even so, police still have to investigate.

(2) The cartoons bit is also worrisome. I call 1984.

They will never get you for drawings, as I said. NEVER. The 2003 Protect Act got slapped in 2004 by the Supreme Court.

(3) If they can get your mail, presumably they can take your hard drive. Since when did pedophilia become such a widespread epidemic that basic rights can be trampled on to stop it? "Think of the children!!" alarmism.

They've always been able to take hard drives in child porn cases...

 

[Eejit]

Oh noez what about the socials laughs I have browsing 11chan at the local coffee shop with my mates?!

-.-

Seriously do paedophiles even look up that shit in public places?

 

[Jintor]

Probably.

 

[PortalStormzzzz]

Dang, guess no more of those "Special" sites for me.

...Wait, DRAWINGS!!!????!!??? God help those who visit the Lounge or Art sections while near a coffee shop.

Anywho, The series of tubes is getting smaller, so moar clogs are likely and thearfor, moar horrible slowness for us all. Do they really think they can calm the wild west that is the internets??

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4659/thdtzbdrvdrcs2.png

Had to do it.