The Cybersecurity Bill

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, the potential terrorism threat that changed the American culture of freedom and conditioned fundamental rights gave rise to restrictions that are incompatible with democracy as a way of life. The last variant is a controversial bill approved by the House of Representatives which would allow the U.S. government to get additional power allocation to secure its networks against cyberattacks and to protect patents and copyrights. This bill has been flatly rejected by President Barack Obama, who threatened to veto the bill if the Senate passes it.

The initiative would allow Internet companies to disclose confidential customer information to the National Security Agency and to sensitive areas of the White House, and even to identify individuals and legal entities. It is argued that there is a necessity to establish the identity of those directories suspected of terrorism and facing cyberattacks from Russia and especially from China. According to Republican Mike Rogers, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, China’s government “is stealing the value and prosperity of America.” And worst of all, the controversial bill eliminates all legislation favoring the freedom of expression that social networking enjoys, which is a bastion of republican freedom. If this bill is passed, and not vetoed as is expected will be Obama’s objective, it will be a precedent congratulating authoritarian regimes that seek to move forward on the web with the same arguments they use to destroy the independent press.