Tech Entrepreneurs Sign 'Declaration of Internet Freedom' Petition More than 100 groups and individuals show support for another effort against legislation they say threatens free information sharing online.
By Jason Fell
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A new effort to ward off federal internet antipiracy laws is gaining traction among technology entrepreneurs and organizations around the world.
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of social news site reddit, and Josh Levy, a campaign manager at internet and media-advocacy site Free Press, have helped create the "Declaration of Internet Freedom," a movement against proposed legislation that threaten free sharing of information online. Examples of bills that are on the group's radar include the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA).
Since it launched yesterday, more than 100 people and organizations have signed the declaration. Among them are internet pioneer Vint Cerf and Cheezburger Inc. founder Ben Huh.
Related: A SOPA About-Face for Members of Congress
The Declaration of Internet Freedom is hinged on five main principles:
- Expression. Don't censor the Internet.
- Access. Promote universal access to fast and affordable networks.
- Openness. Keep the internet an open network where everyone is free to connect, communicate, write, read, watch, speak, listen, learn, create and innovate.
- Innovation. Protect the freedom to innovate and create without permission. Don't block new technologies, and don't punish innovators for their users' actions.
- Privacy. Protect privacy and defend everyone's ability to control how their data and devices are used.
SOPA and PIPA, which aimed to punish "rogue" websites that publish or sell pirated content, were effectively sidelined in Congress this year after several online and in-person protests. The groups behind both bills pledged to continue their efforts to find a solution that has wider approval.
Related: The Battle Against SOPA Is Far From Over
Similar proposals have also attracted the wrath of internet advocates. ACTA is a multination agreement that aims to force internet-service providers worldwide to act as "internet police." CISPA, meanwhile, is a proposed law in the U.S. that would call for the sharing of certain online information between tech companies and the U.S. government.
"These battles remind us how fragile the free and open Internet is -- and make it clear that if we don't fight to protect it, no one will," Levy wrote in a blog post.
Will you support the Declaration of Internet Freedom? Tell us why or why not in the comments below.
