Friday, July 13, 2012



Can the president switch off the internet? Critics fear new executive order hands Obama too much control over the web

Barack Obama has signed an executive order that could hand control of the internet to the U.S. Government, in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.

The order lays out guidelines government agencies should follow if there's a serious emergency, so they can maintain levels of communication.

But critics are concerned by a section of the order they claim gives the president and the secretary of homeland security control of 'the on/off switch to the Web'.

The order, signed by President Obama last week, stated that 'The Federal Government must have the ability to communicate at all times and under all circumstances to carry out its most critical and time sensitive missions.'

But Section 5.2 has raised alarm among those who fear the government will have too much control over the Web.

The section explained how the secretary of homeland security - currently Janet Napolitano - will 'satisfy priority communications requirements through the use of commercial, Government, and privately owned communications resources, when appropriate.'

According to The Verge, sceptics fear the clause gives Mr Obama and Ms Napolitano 'control over the internet' over and above the needs of the nation in extreme cases, like natural disasters.

Source



11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Owebama does not mind fascist decisions and will take all the power he can get.

Bird of Paradise said...

It nazi germany Hitler totaly controled the radio waves

Anonymous said...

All doubt about this topic will be put to rest if the Marxist-in-Chief sees himself losing the election.

A "national emergency" will mysteriously appear, fed to the sheeple by the MSM of course, and Obummer and Butch Napilitano will take control of everything and anything they want. Why not? Is there someone to stop them? The people? LOL!!!

Anonymous said...

The government already has their own communications network; the military uses it all the time. They have ground based communications; satellite’s and directs point-to-point lines of communication for emergencies and day-to-day operations.

This is just another excuse (one of many) to take more control of our lives. They have our health (obamacare), student loans, cars (auto industry), money (banks), oil and just about everything else. The web was the last bastion of free speech the government didn’t have its hooks in. By the time people wake up to the truth it will be too late.

Think it won’t happen? Have you ever heard of the government NOT using a power it has? Has it EVER given that power up? Didn’t think so!

Anonymous said...

A government powerful enough to give you everything you want, is powerful enough to TAKE everything you have!

Anonymous said...

I can’t wait for the day when we have a republican present that uses the powers obama has taken for himself and uses it against the libs.

Watch them holler and stomp their feet. It will be fun to watch!

Anonymous said...

@Annon 3:10 I have to agree. if the govt/military use the internet for "emergency" communications than we have more problems than we thought

Anonymous said...

The order seems to attempt to violate one of the most sacred fundamental rights - the right to property.
The order seems to extend to the compulsory conscription of private communications assets...
Not good.

Go Away Bird said...

In a dictatorship Big Brother controls everything

Anonymous said...

"In a dictatorship Big Brother controls everything"

... including religion. Dictators cannot stand the competition that religion brings to the table.

Kee Bird said...

BIG BROTHER GO AWAY