OK, the house passed CISPA 248-168 and it’s bad… how bad? Really, really bad. Let me explain why. When you watch detective shows TV and the “good guys” suspect that somebody is a “bad guy” and they want to go through his “crib” they get a warrant. If they don’t get a warrant then all the stuff that they gathered is inadmissible in a court of law. Warrants work the same way for digital information. If the “government” wants to go through all your online banking information, porno stash, Facebook posts they too just like the detectives on the TV have to get a warrant to search your home.
In the past they had to do three thing to get a “cyber” warrant before they could take your computer and copy your emails etc.
This entails gathering evidence of illegal online activity. Typically this is done by tracing the IP address associated with the crime committed and utilizing resources that tie the culprit to activity though CC purchases, social media interaction, etc.
Investigators should then do some research as to who the person is they are accusing of perpetrating this crime. Background research can reveal a history of internet crime. Their job may provide them with opportunity and skills required. This is important because competent hackers use other people’s computers to conduct their illegal activities online by route their traffic through a few different computers, making it difficult for anyone to trace.
Once all the above has been gathered, it has to be formally presented to a judge, who can issue a cyber warrant. The judge will review it and then sign off on a cyber warrant that allows authorities to search computers and hard drives, and monitor all past Internet activity as admissible evidence in court.
If they don’t have a warrant then the materials they gather violate the 4th amendment to the constitution which is as follows:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Now with CISPA, they won’t need any of that. CISPA not only allows the government to use web data gathered without a warrant for ‘cybersecurity’ or ‘national security’ purposes, but also allows for private companies to gather this information for the investigation and prosecution of cybersecurity crime, protection of individuals, and protection of children. Cybersecurity crime is defined as any crime involving network disruption or hacking, plus any violation of the CFAA which is sufficiently broad to include not just hacking but any online activity that is a threat to public health or safety. This is sufficiently broad a definition to allow anyone’s packet data and computer information to be searched. Get pulled over for a running a red light. Bingo time to copy the drive on your cell phone. Going online to get a yerba mate cup from Argentina, sounds suspicious, let’s see what else you might be up to.
Yes CISPA is 1984 and total information awareness was implemented almost 10 years ago. But now you don’t even get a fig leaf when the internet TSA comes to strip search you digitally. Because it’s all legal. Nice, huh? OK, but what about you John Q. Public? I’m talking to you mister “I’ve never looked at porn and I’ve never done anything even quasi illegal online.” Well congratulations but, you may be surprised to learn that not all government employees, and private contractors are scrupulously honest as you. It’s true… I know, shocking…
CISPA gives these people the legal right to spy on you as you engage in
And thanks to CISPA life is one big fishing expedition with no warrants, no privacy, and no rights. They can build a case against you out of the fluff and dross they have collected. And since Obama signed NDAA into law if they “decide” your an enemy combatant they can lock you up, torture you and hide body too. All perfectly legal.
This is America Folks. Seriously, it’s time to take it back. Vote outside of the two party system. They are just playing good-cop, bad-cop with you. The organizations that really control us are quasi-governmental corporations that have a revolving door into public office. They support an agenda that builds their wealth at the expense of the general population and they have no allegiance to us as a country, they are multinationals who drive up the national debt and leave us with the bill. And so are ultimately the shills the put into office to represent their interests.
Here are some groups fighting to keep what little freedom we have left in this country:
https://www.aclu.org/
https://www.eff.org/
Heck while your at it:
https://shop.wikileaks.org/donate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anonymous_%28group%29
https://www.dailypaul.com/229356/can-the-power-of-the-people-stop-cispa
https://www.modernwhig.org/
Get organized, use the web, and start to change things.