European Parliament rejects ACTA

It is now official - the European Parliament has today rejected the draconian Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement in a plenary session.

Digital Journal reported recently that the International Trade Committee of EU Parliament had rejected ACTA.

ACTA was widely criticized over its likely assault on Internet freedoms and there have been many protests against the treaty, which would require signatory states to impose draconian restrictions on online privacy, in a drive to eradicate content piracy and the sale of counterfeit branded goods through the Internet... read more.

'Declaration of Internet Freedom' — to keep the Internet free

Many of the web giants and other organizations are joining together to sign a Declaration of Internet Freedom, to keep the internet free and open.

In the wake of SOPA and PIPA, and with CISPA and ACTA still threatening web freedom, several international organizations, including Amnesty International, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Mozilla and CREDO have signed the Declaration of Internet Freedom. The document calls for, among other things, Internet openness, access and privacy... read more.

The International Trade Committee of EU Parliament rejects ACTA

The INTA committee rejected the controversial legislation by 19 votes to 12 with no abstentions, and is the fourth and final committee to deliver its report on ACTA.

This rejection will most likely affect the European Parliament's vote in early July and will most probably be a "nail in the coffin" of the draconian treaty... read more.

European Parliament opposes ACTA but fight not over yet

The European Parliament officially opposes ACTA, as 3 of its committees vote against the controversial and draconian agreement. But the battle is not over yet.

Digital Journal reported on April 18, 2012 that the EU Parliament may reject the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). On May 29, it was reported that the Dutch Parliament had rejected ACTA.... read more.

Dutch Parliament rejects Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement

It is official. The Dutch Parliament has rejected ACTA before the EU votes on the controversial treaty in June this year.

ACTA has been slammed by many as a threat to free speech and information access on the Internet.

Digital Journal reported last month that the EU might reject ACTA. Now Dutch MP's have ruled that the government in the Netherlands will never sign such an agreement.

MP Kees Verhoeven said today, "The treaty should be taken off table, whatever the decision the European Parliament should take." ... read full article.

The Internet Defense League — fighting for a free Internet

A new league is out there and fighting to defend our freedom on the Internet. Those with a website, blog or even a YouTube channel can join the fight.

When SOPA and PIPA were hovering ominously over our heads, a huge battle was fought both in the streets and also on the Internet. Many Internet giants, including Wikipedia, Mozilla and Google went black to protest against the possible legislation on January 18, 2012.

Due to the success of the virtual protests against SOPA and PIPA, Fight for the Future, a non-profit group, have started various schemes to fight future threats, including CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act or HR-3523).... read full article and join the fight!

EU may reject Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)

After many protests in the streets of Europe, it looks like ACTA will not come into being. The Member of the EU Parliament responsible for monitoring its process says it should be rejected.

Digital Journal reported in February on the Europe-wide protests against ACTA. The protests appear to have had some success.

Euro MP David Martin, who is the latest rapporteur responsible for monitoring the progress of ACTA through the European Union, says it should be rejected.

Martin's comments come less than 3 months after the resignation of the previous rapporteur, Kader Arif in protest at the plans.... read more and view video.

'Stop Cyber Spying Week' — counter-attack on CISPA

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (or CISPA for short) is once again in the news, but this time a major counter-attack is being planned to fight it.

Digital Journal recently reported on the controversial new bill, CISPA and its threats to internet freedom.

Advocates fighting for an open internet are concerned about CISPA, which is currently being considered by Congress under the guise of addressing cybersecurity threats.

They have this week launched a counter-campaign against this draconian bill.  The opponents state that the government is attempting to once again restrict internet access to millions of Americans which could kill internet freedom of expression and information.... read full article and sign petitions.

Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook fame supports CISPA?

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (or CISPA for short) is currently being discussed in Congress and it seems that Mark Zuckerberg is in support of this draconian act.

Digital Journal recently reported on CISPA, the official title of this controversial act being H.R. 3523, and that it is feared that CISPA is far worse than SOPA and PIPA in its possible effects on the Internet.

Now Demand Progress is reporting that, despite his remarks recently about protecting privacy and the free internet, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook is actually in support of the act.

Facebook has signed on in support of CISPA, the new bill which would potentially let ISPs block websites, cut off users accused of piracy and give the military broad new abilities to spy on the internet.... read full article and sign petition.

Video: Why you should care about SOPA, ACTA etc.

RT has started a brand new series of videos to both entertain and also to inform the public about the dangers of the looming threat of Internet censorship bills and acts.

Why should you be concerned about bills and acts like SOPA, PIPA, CISPA, ACTA, etc. etc.?

In this new series, "Why should you care" the videos inform and advise in a fun way, telling you just why you should most certainly be concerned if one of these draconian measures goes through.

In this week's episode, the Internet is under attack, but Tim’s new robopal is too busy watching dog videos on Youtube to care.

Tim then proceeds to prove to him why SOPA and ACTA and the like are a definite threat to the free Internet, whether you are guilty of piracy, or not... read full article and watch video.

Move over SOPA & PIPA: Here comes CISPA - internet censorship

In the wake of SOPA and PIPA, there is yet another terrifying bill on the table. The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (or CISPA for short) which is currently being discussed by Congress.

In Washington, Congress is discussing the best way to avert the ongoing cyberattacks and some legislators have put forward a new act which, if it passes Congress, will allow the government access to personal correspondence of any person of their choosing.

Much like the Big Brother tactics in the United Kingdom recently, this bill will likely cause an outcry of condemnation and criticism, as happened with the deceased SOPA and PIPA bills.

The title of this controversial act is H.R. 3523 and it has been dubbed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (or CISPA for short). It is feared that CISPA is far worse than SOPA and PIPA in its possible effects on the Internet.... read full article.

SOPA 2 — Internet censorship bill rears its ugly head again?

The bad news is, not only are we to worry about the new CISPA act, but it appears that a renewed SOPA might be about try its luck in Congress yet again.

Digital Journal reported recently on the new threat to the free internet, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (or CISPA for short) which is currently being discussed by Congress.

Worrying enough as it is!

However, it seems that SOPA, which we thought was dead and buried, is now rearing its ugly head yet again.

Apparently, Chris Dodd - the head of the Hollywood Lobby - is now bragging that he's working on a new insider deal to push through legislation similar to SOPA.

In January this year, Dodd found his abilities were called into question when a massive online campaign supported by Google, Wikipedia, Reddit and many other online contenders shut down the MPAA-backed SOPA legislation, which was intended to toughen Internet privacy laws and to target copyright infringers overseas.

Dodd was apparently angry when the Obama issued a statement saying that the White House had "grave concerns" about the impact of this bill on Internet freedoms.... read full article.