TMCnet News
Walsh Introduces Legislation to Increase Online Privacy, Prevent Government Overreach(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The office of Sen. John Walsh, D-Mont., issued the following news release: Senator Walsh this week introduced the American Digital Security and Commerce Act to strengthen online privacy and prevent government agencies, such as the NSA and FBI, from ignoring online security protections. Walsh's legislation prohibits government agencies from undermining the National Institute of Standards and Technology encryption standards--practices internet-based commerce increasingly relies on for effective security to keep transactions and information private. The legislation also prevents the government from requiring software, hardware, or electronic device manufacturers from placing secret "backdoors" in their products that would allow the government to obtain consumers' private information. "Montanans and Americans have lost their confidence in the federal government to protect our civil liberties, and it is Congress' responsibility to take further action to ensure our rights and freedoms are secure," Walsh said. "That is why I'm introducing this bill to prohibit federal agencies from undermining security standards that are put in place to protect our constitutional rights and strengthen our online privacy." Federal law requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to collaborate with the NSA when it develops information security standards. However, recent allegations regarding the removal of some of these security measures have raised concerns that the NSA is weakening the National Institute of Standards and Technology's standards while also implanting surveillance devices in IT equipment and devices. In 2013, it was revealed that the NSA was searching, collecting, and retaining private data from American citizens. Walsh's first bill, the Civil Liberties Protection Act, reigns in the NSA and FBI's methods of unlawful surveillance and eliminates provisions passed in the Patriot Act. TNS30VitinMar-140624-4776733 30VitinMar (c) 2014 Targeted News Service |