I'm on Strike! Stop SOPA/PIPA/ACTA/TPP
Today, the 18th January UTC, my various web sites, including the surprisingly popular ITS site, joined thousands around the globe and went on strike, now, some of you may be wondering why, since I'm not in the U.S., and we only have two hosts, hosted there, the answer is rather simple.
True SOPA/PIPA will not directly affect anyone outside of the United States of America, however, when you take into account the likes of Youtube, Twitter, Wikipedia, Yahoo, Hotmail, Google and even that hopeless site that has total disregard and utter contempt for everyone's privacy - yes, facebook, are all registered entities in the U.S. and are mostly located in the U.S., therefor, SOPA/PIPA will indirectly affect all non Americans, at least in the interim, because if this does become law in the U.S. it likely wont take too long before the U.S. is bypassed for most things Internet based, remember how quickly Youtube and Google took off? It wont take long before they are replaced, so the only harm will be to themselves in the long run.
The EU has made its opinion on Internet censorship and filtering very clear in that it should never happen.
The European Court of Justice gave a preliminary opinion that will have far-reaching implications in the fight against overaggressive copyright monopoly abusers. It is not a final verdict, but the Advocate General’s position; the Court generally follows this. The Advocate General says that no ISP can be required to filter the Internet, and particularly not to enforce the copyright monopoly.
Further to this, the Internet Strike page provides a link to the U.S. State Department where non U.S. citizens and residents may place an objection, letting them know this is unacceptable and, as the site so rightly states, it is very hypocritical of the U.S. given the State Dept is so outspoken about other countries trying to censor the Internet, in fact it was barely 18 months ago that Hillary Clinton herself made public statements condemning the Australian Federal Labor Government for trying to censor the Internet to its citizens, so, what happened Hilly? Is it the typical U.S. Govt way of things, you know, do as we say, not as we do? I think the answers blowin' in the wind - only this time right around the world.
Some commentators have also asked why this is still going ahead, since some congressmen have said they are delaying, and from most reports its only delaying by a month or so, well, hello, wake up and grab some fresh coffee you bloody morons, delaying is not abandoning.
Furthermore, if the U.S. passes this garbage, it will give minority groups everywhere the power and incentive to push for more censorship, and may help set a precedent that other countries may use to introduce similar.
People power can work, despite the tiny minority Religious groups and political party family something or other, trying its best to get their beliefs and morals forced upon the vast majority of the Australian population, people power stopped the Australian Labor Govt from introducing it, with not only most members of their own party against it, all major opposition parties have refused to support it.
So, our American friends, don't give up hope, but also, don't just sit on your ass expecting the guy next door to voice his opinion for you, pick up your phone, send a fax, or pay a personal visit to your local members office and be heard!
Update: Feb 13, 2012
Seems the U.S. Government are trying it on again, this time with the current secretive talks the U.S. (surprise surprise... not...) Trade Office is trying to push to the world in the well publicised and despised TPP, which is as usual one sided, U.S takes, we all give. this sort of corporate sponsored nonsense needs to be stamped out once and for all, no mater what name you give it, its meddling, meddling by power hungry tyrants in a country where politicians can it appears be bought by hollywood execs.
Some commentators have also asked why this is still going ahead, since some congressmen have said they are delaying, and from most reports its only delaying by a month or so, well, hello, wake up and grab some fresh coffee you bloody morons, delaying is not abandoning.
Furthermore, if the U.S. passes this garbage, it will give minority groups everywhere the power and incentive to push for more censorship, and may help set a precedent that other countries may use to introduce similar.
People power can work, despite the tiny minority Religious groups and political party family something or other, trying its best to get their beliefs and morals forced upon the vast majority of the Australian population, people power stopped the Australian Labor Govt from introducing it, with not only most members of their own party against it, all major opposition parties have refused to support it.
So, our American friends, don't give up hope, but also, don't just sit on your ass expecting the guy next door to voice his opinion for you, pick up your phone, send a fax, or pay a personal visit to your local members office and be heard!
Update: Feb 13, 2012
Seems the U.S. Government are trying it on again, this time with the current secretive talks the U.S. (surprise surprise... not...) Trade Office is trying to push to the world in the well publicised and despised TPP, which is as usual one sided, U.S takes, we all give. this sort of corporate sponsored nonsense needs to be stamped out once and for all, no mater what name you give it, its meddling, meddling by power hungry tyrants in a country where politicians can it appears be bought by hollywood execs.
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NoelB on :
Does make for good reading...
https://www.wizcase.com/blog/ultimate-guide-internet-censorship/