Bill Puts Extra Burden on Bloggers

Michigan Capitol Confidential ^ | 7/10/2010 | Jim Lakely

[MichCapCon]

A Michigan congressman is pushing a bill that would empower the Federal Trade Commission to impose fines on Web site operators if they fail to take down personal information posted on their sites.

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, has introduced the "Cyber Privacy Act" (HR 5108) in response to incidents of harassment and cybercrime resulting from the posting of phone numbers, email addresses, and even Social Security numbers online without the individuals' consent.

Jim Harper, director of Information Policy Studies at the Cato Institute in Washington, DC, says, "McCotter's plan to regulate Internet communications in this way is no "Cyber Privacy" act."

'Personal Copyright Protection' McCotter's bill defines "personal information" as "any information about an individual that includes, at minimum, the individual's name together with either a telephone number of such individual or an address of such individual."

In essence, however, claims Faffi Moazzam, an attorney with Moazzam & Associates in McLean, Virginia, this bill would ensconce into law a notion of "personal copyright protection." And while that might sound like a good idea on the surface, he says, the concept is troubling upon further examination.

"The language of this bill is amazingly overreaching," Moazzam said. "Although its aim is likely intended to provide some sense of privacy to those who do not wish their information to become publicly accessible, it completely misses the point that such information may be obtained from public records."

Mozzam sees the bill as impeding questioning of government, media, and big business...

[MichCapCon]

Mi ping

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Anybody have Rep. McCotter's phone number, email address, or Social Security Number handy?

[MaryFromMichigan]

Quote most pertinent to FR...

"Let's say you run a site that receives hundreds or thousands of comments per day, many of them from anonymous visitors," Harper said. "Let's say the site deals with controversial issues, and some visitors are angry at each other-they're even angry at the site for hosting the discussion."

Attack of the Trolls
"Those visitors start working to undermine the conversation," Harper added. "They personally attack others, adopt false names, tell lies, and use vulgarities. This kind of person is well-known on the Web. They're called 'trolls.

[Lazamataz]

The FTC should not be involved.

This is obviously the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Truth.

[Bon mots]

What if the server and site is offshore?

I am not in the United States.
My connection goes through the EU several countries away from where I even am.

This will be a great business opportunity for the enterprising to host US related sites offshore.

Give us liberty or give us death.
Sounds like this Congressman does not like free speech. Someone might say something disagreeable.

[absolootezer0]

follow up to the bonehead that wants to register all “journalists”?

[kevslisababy]

I used to admire Rep. McCotter, not so much now. It seems that lately he is tripping up a lot like this.

[SunkenCiv]

...would empower the Federal Trade Commission to impose fines on Web site operators if they fail to take down personal information posted on their sites. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, has introduced the "Cyber Privacy Act" (HR 5108) in response to incidents of harassment and cybercrime resulting from the posting of phone numbers, email addresses, and even Social Security numbers online without the individuals' consent.

[PGalt]

I used to admire Rep. McCotter, not so much now. It seems that lately he is tripping up a lot like this.

Me too. I'm beginning to have 2nd thoughts about McCotter. He is my rep here in White Lake Michigan. Neo-totalitarians at work? What's going on Thaddeus? Thanks very much for posting, MichCapCon. Thanks to all on this thread.