The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act would make it easier for corporations to share customers’ personal information with the government. CISPA, as it’s called, passed through the U.S. House of Representatives last week, but the U.S. Senate is not touching the controversial bill. “Especially given the many objections that have been voiced by so many folks who are vigilant about our civil liberties and protecting them.”
Tammy Baldwin is Wisconsin’s newest member of the U.S. Senate. She sits on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee in the Senate. She takes cyber security very seriously, but has very strong concerns with the House-passed legislation. “The underlying issue that is being discussed is a very important one — one that I take very seriously — the issue of cyber-security. But I believe that the Senate is going to take a very different approach to this issue.”
Supporters of the bill say CISPA’s goal is to help the government investigate cyber threats and prevent cyber attacks. Critics call it “digital big brother.” Lawmakers struggle to find a balance between privacy rights, civil liberties, and stopping the bad guys. The president had indicated that he would veto the bill in its current form.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:23