 We’ve joined with more than a dozen civil liberties organizations in an open letter warning Congress about the dangers of the Restrict Act, which would give the Secretary of Commerce sweeping powers over virtually all information technology. Some versions of the bill would criminalize speech about “national elections.”
“The scope of the act is enormous,” the coalition letter reads, “and may allow the administrative state to issue regulations affecting telecommunications, cryptocurrencies, press freedoms, and the use of and access to the Internet itself.” The bill would create criminal penalties that carry up to 20 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines, as well as civil asset forfeitures. If enacted, the Restrict Act would necessitate and likely authorize even more domestic spying on Americans than currently occurs, while making every American a potential suspect for communicating the “wrong” idea on the “wrong” platform or equipment. The Restrict Act would turn the Commerce Secretary into the nation’s telecommunications and speech czar. It is loaded with flagrant violations of the First Amendment. Comments are closed.
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