House Bill Won't Criminalize Free Wi-Fi Operators

Velcroman98 sends word of a bill that passed the US House of Representatives by a lopsided vote of 409 to 2. It would require everyone who runs an open Wi-Fi connection to report illegal images, including "obscene" cartoons and drawings, or be fined up to $300,000. The Securing Adolescents From Exploitation-Online (SAFE) Act was rushed through the House without any hearings or committee votes, and the version that passed on a voice vote reportedly differs substantially from the last publicly available version. CNET reports that sentiment in favor of such a bill is strong in the Senate as well. Update: 12/07 06:22 GMT by Z : As clarified in an Ars writeup, this summary is a bit off-base. The bill doesn't require WiFi owners to police anything, merely 'stiffening the penalties' for those who make no effort to report obvious child pornography.

Comments

Re:Sad, but predictable

[Cpt_Kirks]

Fucking Republicans! ...oh, wait. Never mind...

Re:Bombs won't do it

[Ihlosi]

America will *legislate* itself into the Stone Age.

No, terrorists could use rocks as weapons.

Time to celebrate...

[lpangelrob]

Sounds like it's time to celebrate Obscene Images Over Open Wireless Networks Day!

A link to goatse and the best wardriving software on the web... stat!

Let's Elect 9/11!

[spun]

I mean Rudy, jeez, why do I always think "9/11" when I think Rudy Guiliani? He's done so much for 9/11. I mean New York. If he's elected president, I know he'll 9/11 the whole 9/11 into a brand new bright and shiny 9/11.

9/11!