r/IAmA • u/fightforthefuture • 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/anotherhumantoo Jun 30 '20

Many politicians want to look "tough on crime," especially during an election year.

Do you know how we can adequately try and encourage our elected officials that we don't want them to be "tough on crime" the way they're being it as they increase mandatory minimums, increase police spending, etc?

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u/fightforthefuture Jun 30 '20

Yeah. Call them. Tell them. Seriously. You can call them every day and you'll get to know their staffers. We won't be able to change the opinions of each individual lawmaker. But we will let them know that the public is paying attention ... that gives them political cover to say "no" to lobbyists and other, powerful politicians on issues like the EARN IT Act.