Seems to me there was a discussion a while back Obama having NO INTENTION on regulating the internet...
Well...seems Congress has other ideas...
...a draft Senate bill was released prematurely which CLEARLY identifies Congress's intent of taking charge of the internet, under the guise of protecting a critical information network.
...except there's one small problem...their bill stipulates control of user identification and the ability to shut down or restrict user access...
(here's just one of the sections giving the President Authority to shut down the internet...)
http://regmedia.co.uk/2009/04/01/cybersecurity_bill.pdf
...SEC. 18. CYBERSECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY.
The President—
*(1) within 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, shall develop and implement a comprehensive national cybersecurity strategy, which shall include—
__(A) a long-term vision of the nation’s cybersecurity future; and
__(B) a plan that encompasses all aspects of national security, including the participation of the private sector, including critical infrastructure operators and managers;
*(2) may declare a cybersecurity emergency and order the limitation or shutdown of Internet traffic to and from any compromised Federal government or United States critical infrastructure information system or network;
*(3) shall designate an agency to be responsible for coordinating the response and restoration of any Federal government or United States critical infra structure information system or network affected by a cybersecurity emergency declaration under paragraph (2);
*(4) shall, through the appropriate department or agency, review equipment that would be needed after a cybersecurity attack and develop a strategy for the acquisition, storage, and periodic replacement of such equipment;
*(5) shall direct the periodic mapping of Federal government and United States critical infrastructure information systems or networks, and shall develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of the mapping process;
*(6) may order the disconnection of any Federal government or United States critical infrastructure information systems or networks in the interest of national security;
*(7) shall, through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, direct an annual review of all Federal cybertechnology research and development investments;
*(8) may delegate original classification authority to the appropriate Federal official for the purposes of improving the Nation’s cybersecurity posture;
*(9) shall, through the appropriate department or agency, promulgate rules for Federal professional responsibilities regarding cybersecurity, and shall provide to the Congress an annual report on Federal agency compliance with those rules;
*(10) shall withhold additional compensation, direct corrective action for Federal personnel, or terminate a Federal contract in violation of Federal rules , and shall report any such action to the Congress in an unclassified format within 48 hours after taking any such action; and
*(11) shall notify the Congress within 48 hours after providing a cyber-related certification of legal
ity to a United States person.
...guess there needs to be a new one for America...
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