A proposed law that would force Apple and other tech companies to decrypt devices for law enforcement agencies has reached the stage of a draft bill – but one Senator has vowed to filibuster it. A filibuster is when a parliamentarian makes a lengthy, uninterrupted speech which results in running out of time to debate the bill, causing it to fail.
The Senate Intelligence Committee first proposed to introduce the bill in February, and the FBI lent its support by briefing two sponsoring senators. However, many lawmakers oppose the bill, and it has been reported that the White House will not publicly support it.
The Verge now reports that one senator has pledged to filibuster the bill if it gets as far as a Senate debate …
The most vocal opposition has come from within Congress itself. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) went so far as to pledge a filibuster of the bill if it reaches the Senate floor. “This flawed bill would leave americans more vulnerable to stalkers, identity thieves, foreign hackers and criminals,” Wyden said in an official statement. “And yet it will not make us safer from terrorists or other threats.”
Senator Wyden tweeted that the bill ‘would effectively outlaw tech that Americans use to protect themselves.’
The bill has a long way to go before it gets that far, however. The published draft is effectively a request for comment, and it has been suggested that there is very little chance that the bill would make its way into a packed legislative agenda before the elections.
Photo: AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
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Ah yes Sen. Dianne Feinstein .. Americas hypocrite-in-chief.
I Can’t STAND Feinstein! She’s proof that Democrats can be neocons.
Kudos to Wyden & Rand Paul — they both are VEHEMENTLY against this kind of thing, and they also co-sponsored the re-introduction of Aaron’s Law (named for Aaron Schwartz), to reform the CFAA. You know what’s also ironic though? Wyden is a Dem, but Rand Paul is a GOPer…It’s good to know that issues like these reach across the aisle.
Dianne Feinstein represents California? Really? I think she represents the DC.
At least there is one voice in the Void of Washington who sees the long-term damage that Feinstein’s bill would introduce – all in the NAME of NATIONAL SECURITY!
I can only hope the voters in California who elected her see how short-sighted and reactionary her view of America is – and send her packing on the next election cycle!
It is disturbing to watch the US government use this emotionally-charged case as a basis for seizing freedoms from American citizens. But mostly, it is scary that our government has become so confident in its power the it would so brazenly attempting to take away our privacy in the name of national security and expect us to just sit back and allow it to happen. The worst part is… Most of America IS content to sit back and let it happen.
*attempt (sure wish we could edit these comments 9to5…)
It’s coming … http://9to5google.com/2016/03/18/site-news-weve-moved-to-disqus-commenting/
Awesome! Missed that article! Thanks for the heads up Ben!
Sen Ron Wyden? When I was living in Oregon, a lifetime ago, he was first elected to the House. Glad to see he’s still around. I always liked him.
He’s been a very strong and vocal presence on a lot of important issues, particularly on things like personal privacy and curbing illegal government surveillance.
Quick, someone come out with a mobile Impeachment app, so registered voters can click on what elected officials we want impeached.
Actually – Just 3 minutes ago I have decided to fully support this bill so that every politician, aspiring politician, or person with money, influence, or power has no ability to hide anything and knowing Apple has the key to get all of this information and dirt on these people makes me really happy. They thought Snowden making information public was bad…just wait.
It is so time for Feinstein to retire. Thank you Wyden.