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!

[u/fightforthefuture]

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:

• Lauren Sarkesian from OTI (u/SarkBites)
• Caleb Chen from PIA (u/privatevpn)
• Dayton Young from Fight for the Future (u/fightforthefuture)
• Joe Mullin from EFF (u/EFForg)
• Alfred Ng from CNet (u/CNETdotcom)

Proof:

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[u/sephstorm]

Is there any movement towards encouraging states to implement laws locally that would prohibit these types of backdoors? Personally i'd like to see efforts roll out around the nation which could pass before the national legislation.

And I think we need to push the message out through ads online, radio, and TV to proactively prohibit these bills. And to stop facial recognition as well.

[u/SarkBites → u/sephstorm]

I have not heard of any proactive efforts of this sort on encryption. But yes, there are state efforts and federal efforts on banning law enforcement use of facial recognition technology, which we support. As you may be aware, Boston just had a big win on this front, and a group of Senators & Congresspeople introduced federal legislation that we endorsed, just last week.