Written by Ivey Ingalls-Rubin

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act of 2013, otherwise known as CISPA, yet another threat to our freedom, has stuck its foot in the door.  CISPA will allow any voluntary information sharing amongst private companies to the government in the event of a cyber-attack.

Why is this bill so flawed? Because while ideally it sounds like a simple solution for cyber protection, CISPA’s vague wording forms exemptions from privacy laws. Those supporting CISPA divulge that it is necessary in guarding the U.S. against cyber-attacks from countries like China or Iran.

However logical, patriotic Americans are arguing that CISPA would merely allow companies to effortlessly hand over private information to the government–thanks for a beautiful liability clause. It’s almost comical how that works itself out.

Another reason why this bill is so unsatisfactory is that if permitted to become an amendment, it will result in the personal information of countless Americans being handed down on a golden plate to law enforcement and federal defense and intelligence. Ideally the prosecutions that take place because of the instilment of this amendment would be solely for cyber related crimes, but we all know that’s not how it would work.

CISPA contradicts any and all other privacy laws. That’s right, all personal information that is digital can now be easily accessed by big brother.  The citizens of America should have the right to hold and maintain both security and privacy without compromising any constitutional rights. There’s no doubt that we need cyber security to protect the infrastructure of this economy, but security and privacy shouldn’t go hand in hand, and don’t.

As Benjamin Franklin put so wisely, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”