In Emergencies, Obama Could Seize the Internet

Should the United States be cyber-attacked, at least two lawmakers want the president to be able to switch off the Internet. A bill, proposed by Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-West Virginia) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), has been in negotiations behind closed doors for several months. Though the wording is vague, it appears that the bill would allow the president to declare a “cybersecurity emergency” and have specially-licensed government individuals take over private Internet services. Furthermore, it would require these companies to share requested information to the government. I understand the intent, but it seems like an extraordinary amount of power for the executive branch. Civil liberties groups, as expected, are outraged. [CNet via Electronista]