Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Standing up to S.O.P.A.

The Internet as we know it could all change if corporations get their way and a censorship is placed on the World Wide Web through the S.O.P.A. bill (Stop Online Piracy Act). Thousands of people, including the Facebook and Google, have opposed the web censorship bill, saying it would effectively censor the web and place unfair demands on content providers. A few infringing links would be enough to block a site completely and put the person who posted in jail for up to 5 years, even for a first offense.

For several months a diverse variety of online groups and internet activists have been assembling and publishing lists of big-name companies who have voiced support for SOPA. They’re calling on consumers to boycott their goods and services, a strategy that has foand increasing resonance as the bill approaches a vote and the negative press surrounding it at a boiling point. Today marked the day of several big name websites including Wikipedia, and Redit that blacked out there site in protest to show how much a day on the web without them hurts. The ripple effect of a government controlled internet that could follow if the S.O.P.A. or P.I.P.A. (Protect IP Act) are forced through congress.

If this sounds like something you would like to speak out against please let your voice be heard and register on Google to have a letter sent to your local congressmen to show your dissatisfaction of this bill.



No comments:

Post a Comment