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BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION KEEPS P2P USERS INFORMED ABOUT PRIVACY, SECURITY RISKS
Recent high profile security breaches involving popular file sharing programs underscore the importance of legislation
Washington,
Mar 5, 2009 -
Washington, D.C. – Noting privacy and security risks associated with popular peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), Congressman John Barrow (D-GA) and Congressman Joe Barton (R-TX), ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today introduced the Informed P2P User Act (H.R. 1319), which will help make Internet users more aware of the inherent privacy and security risks associated with P2P file sharing programs.
“Far too many people have no idea that they could be sharing all of their personal files and documents when popular peer-to-peer software is on their computer,” said Bono Mack. “Computer users deserve to know – in fair and simple terms – about this potential security risk. This bill will empower individuals by making them aware and keeping them from inadvertently sharing their private information with complete strangers.”
“A lot of folks connect to these networks and don’t even realize that their most personal and private files are visible to everyone else on the network at any time,” said Barrow. “It’s like they’re posting their tax returns, financial records, and personal messages on the Internet, and they don’t even know it. This bill will let them know, in a way they can understand, that the information on their computers could be at risk. We have truth in lending and truth in labeling – this is truth in networking, and we need it.”
“From tax returns to family photos, a person’s private information should not be unknowingly shared to anyone in a P2P network,” said Barton. “This bill illustrates that there are bipartisan solutions to this problem and takes strong steps to empowering P2P users with information they need to better protect themselves and their families online. Congresswoman Bono Mack has proven herself to be a leader in matters of online security, and I am proud to join with her and Congressman Barrow in this important effort.”
Many people have P2P software on their personal computers for legal, and sometimes illegal, file sharing. These programs are one of the fastest-growing uses of Internet technology, yet many of these programs can make ALL of their computer files available to anyone else using that P2P software. Personal information such as tax returns and medical records have been reported stolen.
NOTE: A recent report indicated that P2P software was implicated in a security breach involving Marine One, the helicopter used by President Obama. Another high profile case involved Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer.
Specifically, the Informed P2P User Act:
• Ensures that P2P file sharing programs cannot be installed without providing clear notice and obtaining informed consent of the authorized computer user.
• Makes it unlawful to prevent the authorized user of a computer to prevent reasonable efforts to
o 1) Block the installation of a peer-to-peer file sharing program, and
o 2) Disable or remove any peer-to-peer file sharing program.
• Gives enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
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