EFF: Fresh Domain Takedown Bill Would Break the Internet

EFF calls bill “misguided gift to a shortsighted industry”.

Electronic Frontier Foundation is weighing in on the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act, and it doesn’t like what it sees.

In an analysis EFF posted online, the group states the bill would “break the Internet one domain at a time — by requiring domain registrars/registries, ISPs, DNS providers, and others to block Internet users from reaching certain websites.”

EFF makes a number of points, some of which echo my take on the bill.

1. This is a censorship bill that runs roughshod over freedom of speech on the Internet.

2. It is designed to undermine basic Internet infrastructure.

3. COICA sends the world the message that the United States approves of unilateral Internet censorship

4. The bill’s imbalances threaten to complicate existing laws and policies.

There’s some good insight in EFF’s analysis. I’m particularly worried regarding #2 and #3.

Among the issues EFF draws attention to is an internet blacklist of domains not taking down but deemed in violation. EFF states domains will get on the list by a “McCarthy-like procedure of public snitching”.