[Chapter-delegates] ISOC Statement on CISPA

[Markus Kummer]

Dear John,

It is my understanding that in terms of impact and efficiency this is the best way forward to make our voice heard. Congressmen listen to their voters and a letter to their respective representatives indeed seems to be an excellent way to get our message across. However, I don't consider myself as an expert in US politics, and US based colleagues may have other ideas and suggestions. Chapters are usually best placed to assess the best method to interact with their respective political environment!

Best regards
Markus

PS: The statement is now up on our website: 

http://www.internetsociety.org/news/internet-society-expresses-concern-about-cybersecurity-legislation-currently-under



On May 8, 2012, at 1:59 AM, John More wrote:

> Dear Markus
> 
> This morning's ISOC-DC meeting discussed sending ISOC's final statement on this issue to its US-based membership and asking them to contact their representatives.  What is the Society's position on this.
> 
> Yours,
> 
> John More
> 
> On May 7, 2012, at 4:47 AM, Markus Kummer wrote:
> 
>> Dear all,
>> 
>> Many thanks for your feed-back. Please find below a revised version, taking onboard Olivier's suggestion and mentioning that whatever happens in the US in Internet matters will have an impact on the rest of the world. Like Olivier, I don't know the US political system well enough to assess whether this argument will get any traction with US Congressmen, but it seems certainly worthwhile making the point.
>> 
>> My attention was also drawn to some more intricacies of US politics: apparently, the Senate may take up a different cybersecurity bill and may not use CISPA as a starting point. The revised version therefore refers  more generically to "cybersecurity legislation" when talking about what the Senate will be considering,
>> 
>> I hope the statement will be issued later today.
>> 
>> Best regards
>> Markus
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Quote: The Internet Society (ISOC) is concerned about cybersecurity legislation currently under consideration in the United States.  The proposed Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) was passed last week by the House of Representatives and cybersecurity legislation may go to the Senate floor this month. CISPA aims to provide more effective channels of communication across different federal agencies and private entities in relation to online threats. While the Internet Society recognizes the need for national security, it is concerned about the potentially broad scope of CISPA and the consequent impact this legislation might have on users' rights, especially in relation to online privacy. We are also concerned that the draft bill might bypass existing legal and private contractual obligations to protect Internet users' privacy, and lacks judicial oversight. Furthermore, placing burdensome security roles on intermediaries may, as an unintended consequence, have
>> a negative impact on innovation, service delivery, and, ultimately, future investment and economic growth. Lastly, we are also concerned that the United States, given its leadership role in Internet technology, may give the wrong signal to other governments and invite them to adopt measures or pass legislation that could harm the open and free Internet.
>> 
>> The Internet Society expresses its hope that the U.S. Senate will address privacy considerations and protect citizens' rights and civil liberties in any future cybersecurity legislation. Unquote.
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> Chapter-delegates mailing list
>> Chapter-delegates at elists.isoc.org
>> https://elists.isoc.org/mailman/listinfo/chapter-delegates
>