Controversial Internet Kill Switch Passes

By: John Lester
06/28/2010 11:36 AM ET

Internet kill switch gets Senate approval by President Obama. The cyberspace security bill that will give President Barack Obama the power to shut down the Internet has passed. However, the bill does give the government limited power in the communications sector.

“Our responsibility for cyber defense goes well beyond the public sector because so much of cyberspace is owned and operated by the private sector,” Senator Joe Lieberman said in a statement. “The Department of Homeland Security has actually shown that vulnerabilities in key private sector networks like utilities and communications could bring our economy down for a period of time if attacked or commandeered by a foreign power or cyber terrorists.”

Kill Switch is a term that critics have coined because they believe the White House is using the cyberspace bill as a way to control the Internet. However, the Senate has disputed this fiercely and point out that this new law actually limits the president’s power over communication. In fact, the Communications Act of 1934, which was still in place, offered far more control without any of the necessary updates for modern technology.

The Protecting Cyberspace bill as a National Asset Act will create the White House Office for Cyberspace Policy and a National Center for Cyber-security and Communications. These agencies will be dedicated purely to the protection of cyber networks in the United States. It will also allow for the deployment of emergency tactics from cyber entities that are especially critical to the safety and well being of the country. This includes protections for major banks, government agencies, the Department of Defense, and others.