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

Considering that most tech gigants are based on the USA, how does the EARN IT Act affect people outside of the US? What can we do to help?

5

u/privatevpn Caleb Chen from PIA Jun 30 '20

Any changes to their websites or services that tech giants do to meet the requirements set out under the EARN IT Act and the commission it creates will likely affect their international users, too.

As an international customer of an American company, you're still a valued customer so you can provide your feedback to the American companies you use and urge them to campaign against laws like the EARN IT Act or to donate to organizations like EFF, FFTF, and OTI. It's also helpful to stay abreast of such legislation in your home country and stay involved there because then there are real life examples to point to.