There is a global debate going on about the EARN IT act. While the act is dedicated to protecting children from being sexually exploited online, there is a rising concern that it also destroys the primary values of an open Internet.
Seeing the increasing cyber scam ratio, having a few safety protocols to protect kids from the dark corners of the Internet is essential. However, several tech-experts warn that the EARN IT bill is the Government’s attempt to remove both the security protection online and free speech.
Understand The EARN IT ACT
The Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect Of Interactive Technologies Act was proposed by Sen. Lindsey Graham (Republican of South Carolina) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Democrat of Connecticut), along with Sen. Josh Hawley (Republican of Missouri) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Democrat of California) on March 5.
According to the bill, rather than getting immunity grants by default, technology companies have to earn Section-230 protections. Over two decades the Communications Decency Act has provided the same.
Moreover, the bill solely aims to safeguard kids from online predators. Bill also argues that the end-to-end encryption limits investigators from collecting necessary evidence that could help police catch online offenders.
In addition to that, the bill suggests that tech companies should meet standards established by the National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention, in order to earn Section 230.
Seeing the increased ratio of cyber scams, parents also use parental control apps like Bit Guardian Parental Control. It is a child monitoring app that ensures your child gets only child-friendly content in his device. It’s features let your child have safe digital navigation.
What Is Section 230?
Section 230 is the most important section of the Communications Decency Act, which allows free speech on various tech platforms. According to this section, no user and provider of any computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information.
This means tech giants like YouTube and Facebook aren’t accountable for what’s posted on their platforms. The entire responsibility is of the user. Without this provision, tech companies may endlessly sue for every negative review or piece of content posted-diminishing free expression online. This act ensures safe digital exposure to kids. Recently, UNICEF also endorsed the CAMRA act to support child safety.
Now with the EARN IT act, lawmakers are trying to revise section 230. Tech companies must do more to combat growing cyber scam issues. This bill will allow any individual to sue the tech-giant that doesn’t take strict actions to prevent online child exploitation.
Why Do Governments Want To End The End-To-End Encryption?
End-to-end encryption is a protection technology that encodes any communications (including personal phone calls, messages, photos, and videos). Encryption protects your data and keeps it safe from employees, and competitors.
According to the police force, the” warrant-proof encryption” or “unbreakable encryption, prevents law enforcement from keeping track of online predators and it makes the process of evidence gathering more difficult.
As a matter of fact, few tech experts claim that the bill seems a cynical effort of a few well-connected tech-companies (and the Trump administration!) to use child abuse to its political advantage.
