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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Fighting Cyber-Terrorism: Attack on Civil Liberities?

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Monday, May 7, 2012   

RICHMOND, Va. - A bill before Congress aimed at enhancing cyber-security could leave individuals' personal information exposed to government and corporate misuse, according to Internet freedom advocates. The bill, called CISPA, is a successor to SOPA and PIPA, the anti-piracy measures that were shot down in January after an outcry over censorship concerns. The issue here is privacy.

Rainey Reitman, activism director for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, says that if CISPA is passed ...

"Companies can intercept the communications of everyday Internet users; they can spy on your personal emails, on your instant messages, your text messages, and share that information directly with the government."

Some large companies like Microsoft, IBM and Facebook are in favor of CISPA in part because it would let the government inform companies about cyber-threats more expeditiously. Facebook says it has no intention of sharing sensitive personal information with the government.

Reitman says Facebook's promise isn't enough.

"That is something that Facebook has said it doesn't intend to do. However, I think that's small comfort for those of us who actually have data that is being held by Facebook."

Reitman acknowledges there are threats to America's cyber-security, but she says CISPA has flaws when it comes to civil liberties.

"We don't want hackers getting ahold of Social Security numbers, but we also have to remember that we don't want data to go to the United States government. We have a structure in place that means that if the government wants to get access to certain information, they have to go to a court and get a court order."

Reitman says the House version of CISPA now heads to the Senate where it could be taken up by the third week of May.

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act is HR 3523. Text of the bill is at www.govtrack.us.




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