On the recordApril 17, 2013
And there are absolutely no protections with regard to what is done with that information. There are a number of improvements that could make this bill viable, and these are not allowed under this rule. My colleague, Mr. Schiff, has put forward an amendment that would have simply required that reasonable precautions were taken to ensure privacy was protected. That would be a strong step forward. Real limitations about actually tying the use of this information to cybersecurity would be an important step forward with the bill. What's at danger is, yes, civil liberties; but the danger is the confidence in the Internet ecosystem that has driven our economic growth over the last decade. There will be great harm if that confidence is shaken, great harm if people know that the information that they provide and sign up for can immediately be turned over to a government agency--indeed, a secretive government agency--with no recourse and completely exempt from any liability for the company that's done it. It's been noted that this program is voluntary. It may be voluntary for the corporations. It's not voluntary for the individual. It's not voluntary for the citizens of the country who provide that information.
