| 3.23.22

Cyber Intelligence Sharing: Keeping America Safe or the Biggest of Brothers? (H.R. 624)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 624?

(Updated July 19, 2017)

H.R. 624 would allow — in the event of a cyber attack — for technology/manufacturing companies and the federal government to share Internet traffic information. This exchange of information would be voluntary, as the bill does not require or compel companies to give it up.

For example, if the government detects a cyber attack that might take down a site like Google or Twitter, they could let those companies know. On the other hand, those companies could inform the government if they spot any activity that might suggest a cyber attack on their networks.

The stated aim of this bill is to aid the U.S. in investigating cyber threats and protecting networks against cyber attacks.

Argument in favor

Improves cyber security in both the public and private sectors. Fosters better communication between public and private sectors and creates an effective means of dealing with cyber threats.

Argument opposed

Creates an Orwellian police state where nearly all modes of communication can be legally surveilled. Opens deep privacy concerns around data sharing between the public and private sectors.

Impact

The privacy of anyone who uses the Internet, the government's access to internet traffic information.

Cost of H.R. 624

The CBO estimates that implementing the bill would have a discretionary cost of $20 million between 2014-2018.

Additional Info

Of Note:

This bill was originally introduced as H.R. 3523 in November 2011, by Rep. Michael Rogers (MI) and 111 co-sponsors. The legislation passed the House the following April, but was vetoed by the Senate. The House reintroduced the bill in its current form in February 2013.

Many of the bill's supporters argue that CISPA is necessary to safeguard the U.S. against cyber threats. As a press release from Sponsoring Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) noted:

"This bill is a vital first step toward providing better protection for the networks and systems that Americans depend on every day."

Opponents of CISPA argue that the vague wording in the bill gives companies the unrestricted power to hand over private information to the government. One critic noted:

"New provisions were added to the bill. They claimed to “limit” the government’s authority granted in the bill, but all the new items say are that privacy protection can be circumvented for “investigation and prosecution of cybersecurity crime, protection of individuals, and protection of children.” So as long as the government can claim that any of those three issues are at stake, anyone and everyone’s personal information can be delivered directly to them, effectively nullifying privacy on the web."