New US P2P bill aimed at limiting file sharing

VIP LOUNGE

CLOUD LOGIN

You are here: News > News > New US P2P bill aimed at limiting file sharing

» IT Security NEWS

» 06 May 2009

New US P2P bill aimed at limiting file sharing

A newly proposed US legislation is being attacked by technology lobbying groups left and right. The bill was created with the objective of limiting (and hopefully, totally avoiding) the sharing of crucial, unintended files through peer-to-peer networks. Detractors object that the bill was not limited enough that it also included web browsers and operating systems.

The bill, dubbed as "The Informed P2P User Act", was proposed by Republican Representative Mary Bono Mack of California last March. It would demand that developers of file-sharing software incorporate noticeable warnings that all of their files may be seen and downloaded unknowingly. The bill also requires that the warnings ask users to signal approval by clicking on a corresponding button. The warning should also be shown twice: first, while the application is being installed, and second, during its first run.

The issue stems from the fact that such warning system is already a feature of browsers, instant messaging programs, and practically all operating systems. This is because these all include FTP, or file transfer protocol.

David Sohn, senior policy counsel for the Center for Democracy & Technology, told a subcommittee for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that, "If legislation ends up sweeping in many kinds of software, there are likely to be a wider range of issues and complications to consider." He points out that this is because the bill's demands may not be appropriate in every situation. Four other technology trade groups shared almost identical standpoints.

One may remember that in March, confidential blueprints of President Obama's Marine One helicopter were revealed and disseminated among the public over P2P networks.