S.3398 (earn-it)
And its absolutely horrifying implications for online privacy as we know it.
What it is
Earlier this year, US Senate bill S.3398, AKA the EARN-IT Act was introduced by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Its official purpose is to help law-enforcement apprehend child predators online more easily. However, it proposes to do this by removing all encryption on messaging systems, which is where problems arise.
why it's so dangerous
Encryption is what keeps you and your information online private and protected from unauthorized access. S.3398 proposes to take this away to accomplish a "goal" that many other laws are already doing efficiently. And in the process it gives them, as well as other malicious 3rd parties access to EVERYTHING that you send on messaging platforms.
Because it keeps the kids safe, right?
The best part is that nobody is paying attention to it and it'll get passed.
how this affects you
Odds are if you made it this far into this page, you're actually interested in how this bill is going to affect you. So let me break it down for you:
Platforms like Snapchat, Whatsapp, Instagram, Facebook, etc. will be decrypted, giving both law enforcement and basically anybody else access who knows how to get it.Historically speaking, it WILL be used the same way that the Patriot and FREEDOM Acts were and minorities will be targeted with the data gathered, even if it doesn't fulfill the original purpose of the bill.
what you can do about it
SEND EMAILS. SEND EMAILS. SEND EMAILS. EVEN FAX THEM.
JUST CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS. PLEASE.
At the top of this page is a prewritten email going out to Senators Graham, Blumenthal, and all the cosponsors of the bill from across the country. All you have to do is put in your name and a few other things and click send. It's that easy. To have an even bigger impact, you can just send a one line, unique email because it'll get past any filters they may have and they'll HAVE to read it
In conclusion
Don't just sit there while your liberties are being taken away.
Do something.
Send an email. Make a call. Do whatever.
Something is better than nothing