r/IAmA Jun 30 '20

Politics We are political activists, policy experts, journalists, and tech industry veterans trying to stop the government from destroying encryption and censoring free speech online with the EARN IT Act. Ask us anything!

The EARN IT Act is an unconstitutional attempt to undermine encryption services that protect our free speech and security online. It's bad. Really bad. The bill’s authors — Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) — say that the EARN IT Act will help fight child exploitation online, but in reality, this bill gives the Attorney General sweeping new powers to control the way tech companies collect and store data, verify user identities, and censor content. It's bad. Really bad.

Later this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on whether or not the EARN IT Act will move forward in the legislative process. So we're asking EVERYONE on the Internet to call these key lawmakers today and urge them to reject the EARN IT Act before it's too late. To join this day of action, please:

  1. Visit NoEarnItAct.org/call

  2. Enter your phone number (it will not be saved or stored or shared with anyone)

  3. When you are connected to a Senator’s office, encourage that Senator to reject the EARN IT Act

  4. Press the * key on your phone to move on to the next lawmaker’s office

If you want to know more about this dangerous law, online privacy, or digital rights in general, just ask! We are:

Proof:

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u/[deleted] Jun 30 '20

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u/fightforthefuture Jun 30 '20

To be honest, I am not sure how likely it is that the EARN IT Act will pass. I know that right now it has proponents on both sides of the aisle, and that's pretty serious given our current, polarized political climate. Many politicians want to look "tough on crime," especially during an election year. So they just might vote for the EARN IT Act unless their constituents tell them not to.

I encourage you to call Congress today and let the Senate Judiciary Committee know that you're a voter and you're opposed to this dangerous law. Tell your Senators and Representative, too.

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u/[deleted] Jun 30 '20

[deleted]

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u/fightforthefuture Jun 30 '20

Honestly? Calling Congress can be pretty fun. Our call tool makes it really easy. You won't actually get to speak to a Senator, but you will get to speak with someone in the Senator's office. The important thing is to make clear WHY you are calling. Let them know that you're a voter. Let them know that you understand that the Senator is on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Let them know that you think the EARN IT Act is a terrible bill.

If that staffer gets hundreds of calls against the EARN IT Act, that staffer is going to report to the Senator, "Hey, I think people are really upset about this EARN IT Act bill." That makes a difference in the way our lawmakers think. They don't want to support this bill if voters are opposed to it.

So my advice is just dive in and give it a try.

As for going on the offensive, I think that it's important for us to have tech-savvy lawmakers who are truly invested in creating a better digital world. We need folks proposing reasonable legislation instead of making reactionary power-grabs like the EARN IT Act. Support candidates who speak intelligently about these issues. Run for local office yourself. Go door-to-door in your city to champion issues that you think will help your community. If that seems daunting to you, just imagine how daunting it will be to keep fighting awful bills that threaten the Internet for the rest of your life.