By BosNewsLife North America Service with George Whitten, BosNewsLife Senior Correspondent
WASHINGTON D.C. , USA (BosNewsLife)– American President Barack Obama will receive “absolute power” to shut down the Internet, according to proposed U.S. Senate legislation seen by BosNewsLife Friday, June 18.
The bill, known as the Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act (PCNAA), would give the president of the United States a “kill switch” to effectively seize control of the Internet in the event of a “national emergency”.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Joe Lieberman, would compel companies such as internet service providers and search engines to comply with broad emergency measures developed by the Department of Homeland Security under the control of a new office, the National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications.
Any company failing to comply would be subject to fines, according to the draft law monitored by Worthy News.
CRITICS CONCERNED
Critics of the bill warned of the abuse of power that could result from the legislation. TechAmerica, one of the largest U.S. technology lobby groups, said it was concerned of the “unintended consequences that would result from the legislation’s regulatory approach” and the “potential for absolute power.”
Lieberman stressed at a press conference Thursday, June 18, that the enactment of his bill needed to be a top congressional priority.
“Our economic security, national security and public safety are now all at risk from new kinds of enemies – cyber warriors, cyber spies, cyber terrorists, and cyber criminals,” Lieberman said.
The White House did not immediately comment on the proposal. (BosNewsLife’s AMERICA WATCH is a regular look at key developments impacting the Church and Christians in North America and other interested parties).
