CISPA Could Allow Companies to Filter or Block Internet TrafficDan Auerbach Mark M. Jaycox One of the scariest parts of CISPA is that the bill goes above and beyond information sharing. Its definitions allow for countermeasures to be taken by private entities, and we think these provisions are ripe for abuse. Indeed, the bill defines cybersecurity purpose as any threat related to safeguarding or protecting a network. As long as companies act in good faith for a cybersecurity purpose, they have leeway to protect against efforts to degrade, disrupt, or destroy [a] system or network. This opens the door for ISPs and other companies to perform aggressive countermeasures like dropping or altering packets, so long as this is used as part of scheme to identify cybersecurity threats. These countermeasures could put free speech in peril, and jeopardize the ordinary functioning of the Internet. This could also mean blocking websites, or disrupting privacy-enhancing technologies such as Tor. These countermeasures could even serve as a back door to enact policies unrelated to cybersecurity, such as disrupting p2p traffic. The defense of networks is one reason why the Heritage Foundation is backing the bills. In a letter of support (PDF), Heritage discussed how CISPA gives private entities clear legal authority to defend their own networks. While we think private entities should be able to defend their networks, they should not be able to do without accountability in a manner that threatens free speech or disrupts the Internet. CISPA is intended to protect against catastrophic cyberattacks and economic espionage, but the broad definitions of CISPA unfortunately allow for much more. Contrary to what Rep. Rogers says, CISPA is not a sharing of threat information bill only. CISPAs language is so vaguely defined that it could allow private companies to take a wide range of actions in order to defend their networks. While some of these actions might be perfectly appropriate, others could have disastrous consequences for our civil liberties. Help EFF beat back this legislationsend an email to Congress and participate in our week of action against CISPA. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 