CDT is deeply concerned about the privacy and civil liberties implications of CISPA. With the support of Internet users, CDT and other groups have been working hard to make sure the legislation is narrowly focused on security, not surveillance. But launching cybersecurity attacks against the bill’s supporters is unethical and counterproductive. It shows fundamental disrespect for both the democratic process and the privacy and speech rights of Internet users. It also provides additional ammunition for those who say radical and sweeping cybersecurity measures that violate privacy are warranted.
The debate over SOPA/PIPA showed that regular Internet users can use legitimate tactics to profoundly influence the legislative process. Those who use threats and attacks undermine the collaborative effort to build a legitimate democratic movement in support of the open Internet.
Perhaps John Perry Barlow’s Declaration of Independence of Cyberspace said it best: “We believe that from ethics, enlightened self interest and the commonweal, our governance will emerge.” Saying no to attacks as an advocacy tactic must be part of our ethical core.
CDT-led Coalition Calls for Transparency for White House AI Framework
CDT and Americans for Responsible Innovation led a broad, bipartisan coalition of over two dozen civil society groups in calling on the White House to release its Framework for review of frontier AI models.
CDT Amicus Brief Calls on Fourth Circuit to Rein In Geofence Warrants
Earlier this year the Supreme Court ruled in Chatrie v United States that the Fourth Amendment protected all cell phone location information, which CDT lauded as a landmark decision, but sent the case back down to the Fourth Circuit to assess the propriety of the geofence warrant at issue.
CDT and Partners Post Floor Alert Opposing CA SB 1013 Automated License Plate Readers Bill
The best way to ensure that Automated License Plate Readers are not abused is to limit the retention of stored data and to keep loopholes to lawful process closed. CA SB 1013 is a step in the wrong direction, and we urge the California legislature to reject this approach.
British Public Oppose Secret Surveillance Powers and Want Strong Protections for Encrypted Communications
CDT released nationally representative polling data revealing that a the British public are broadly concerned about the security, privacy, and free speech consequences of allowing law enforcement to access encrypted communications.
