Press Release
Free Press Action Fund Commends Rep. Chris Smith’s Efforts to Stop Companies Trafficking in Spying and Censorship Technology
Contact: Timothy Karr, 201-533-8838
WASHINGTON — A House subcommittee is scheduled to vote later today on the Global Online Freedom Act, a bill that seeks to prevent U.S. companies from helping repressive regimes censor and spy on their citizens. The legislation would also require Internet providers and search engines to disclose their policies for cooperating with censorship requests from "Internet restricting countries."
For several years, the Global Online Freedom Act’s sponsor, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), has led the fight in Congress for global Internet freedom. His legislation has been given new urgency following recent reports of the sale of U.S. censorship technology to regimes in Syria, Iran, China and Egypt.
Timothy Karr, senior director of strategy for the Free Press Action Fund, made the following statement:
“Free Press Action Fund commends Congressman Smith’s efforts and urges more members of Congress to support his efforts to protect free speech online and prevent human rights abuses around the world.
“The trafficking by U.S. companies in surveillance and censorship technology to repressive regimes has stained America’s reputation as an advocate of free expression. The U.S. government can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines as U.S. businesses help brutal governments transform the Internet into a tool of spying and abuse."
For several years, the Global Online Freedom Act’s sponsor, Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), has led the fight in Congress for global Internet freedom. His legislation has been given new urgency following recent reports of the sale of U.S. censorship technology to regimes in Syria, Iran, China and Egypt.
Timothy Karr, senior director of strategy for the Free Press Action Fund, made the following statement:
“Free Press Action Fund commends Congressman Smith’s efforts and urges more members of Congress to support his efforts to protect free speech online and prevent human rights abuses around the world.
“The trafficking by U.S. companies in surveillance and censorship technology to repressive regimes has stained America’s reputation as an advocate of free expression. The U.S. government can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines as U.S. businesses help brutal governments transform the Internet into a tool of spying and abuse."
