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Online privacy under attack

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The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last week. Opponents of the act say it poses serious threats to online privacy.

As it stands, CISPA still needs to pass through the Senate.

If CISPA passes in the U.S., Canadians could expect great political pressure to adopt similar measures in Canada,” the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warns.

Proposals for a 'cybersecure perimeter' around the U.S. and Canada would bring about significant pressure for both countries to have the same privacy laws.

Last year, OpenMedia.ca took an international approach and joined groups like the EFF, the American Civil Liberties Union, and others from the global pro-Internet freedom community to defeat the act, and protect users’ private data and civil liberties.

Opponents of CISPA are optimistic that the American senate will be able to defeat the act again, just as the Canadian pro-Internet freedom community was able to defeat Bill C-30 earlier this year.

"The price of freedom is eternal vigilance," cautioned Wayne Anderson, a supporter of OpenMedia.ca after Bill C-30 was defeated.

The Internet transcends geographical borders, so it’s important that we all work together to keep it open and free. Please continue to support our international fight to advance an open Internet worldwide, and consider donating at https://openmedia.org/donate

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