International Community Rallies Against SOPA [Stop Online Piracy Act]

This week the House of Representatives opens hearings on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), a bill that EFF - along with a number of prominent organizations and other actors - has opposed loudly and vigorously.

Though the bill would have grave implications on free expression for American Internet users, website owners, and intermediaries, its effects on the international community are even worse.  In light of that fact, a coalition of international civil society and human rights groups have penned a letter expressing their opposition to the bill.  The letter - whose signatories include prominent groups like French groups La Quadrature du Net and Reporters Without Borders, UK-based Index on Censorship, and global consortium the Association for Progressive Communications - states:

"...by institutionalizing the use of internet censorship tools to enforce domestic law in the United States creates a paradox that undermines its moral authority to criticize repressive regimes.  We urge the United States to uphold its proclaimed responsibility as a leader in internet freedom and reject bills that will censor or fragment the web."