Analysis: ‘Cybersecurity’ Bill Endangers Privacy Rights
The controversy over the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act intensified on Tuesday when a White House spokeswoman warned Congress not to pass “cybersecurity” legislation without “robust safeguards to preserve the privacy and civil liberties of our citizens.” While the statement by National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden did not mention CISPA specifically, there was little doubt which legislation she was talking about.
Hayden denounced “legislation that would sacrifice the privacy of our citizens in the name of security.” This week, a broad coalition of civil liberties groups has been warning that CISPA would do just that. The legislation, which was introduced by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) late last year, is slated for a House vote next week.
The critics have a point. CISPA is a solution in search of a problem. And it threatens to undermine important privacy protections.