Proposed Anti-Terror Law in France Would Erode Civil LibertiesJillian York Apart from specific concerns that the bill treats online speech as distinct from other speech, other provisions are just as problematic. For example, while Article 4 refers to provocation aux actes de terrorisme or incitement to terrorisma clearly defined legal conceptit also refers to apologie du terrorisme or apologizing or glorifying terrorism, implying a condemnation of opinions alone rather than any overt acts, as Reporters Without Borders points out. La Quadrature du Nets mini-site on the bill addresses further concerns (in French). Anti-terror laws have been used in various countries around the world to prosecute individuals for their speech about unpopular ideas. In the United States, the prosecution of Tarek Mehannaa young Muslim who translated and posted material referred to by prosecutors as Al Qaeda propagandainvolved the use of conspiracy and so-called material support laws. In Ethiopia, anti-terror laws have been used to silence journalists and are currently being used to prosecute the dissident Zone9 Bloggers. And the list goes on. Frances attempt to cleanse the Internet of terrorist content isnt a first in the EU either. In 2012, a leaked document showed that the European Commission sought to make use of private Internet companies to remove terrorist content, without oversight or accountability. While terrorism itself is a serious concern, it is far too often invoked as the justification for a broader clamp down on civil liberties. We support La Quadrature du Net in opposing this dangerous bill and encourage our French readers to check out their mini-site for information on the bill and how to fight back against it. Please visit EFF to follow the latest in digital privacy news. 