Sens. Paul, Wyden and Rep. Lofgren Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Aaron’s Law

[Virgil]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation today to better target serious criminals and curb overzealous prosecutions for non-malicious computer and Internet offenses.

The legislation, inspired by the late Internet innovator and activist Aaron Swartz, who faced up to 35 years in prison for an act of civil disobedience, would reform the quarter-century old Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) to better reflect computer and internet activities in the digital age. Numerous and recent instances of heavy-handed prosecutions for non-malicious computer crimes have raised serious questions as to how the law treats violations of terms of service, employer agreements and website notices.

“I am proud to join Sen. Wyden and Rep. Lofgren today in offering this bipartisan and bicameral legislation which will reduce overbroad prosecutions and adjust unfair sentencing practices,” Sen. Paul said.

http://www.paul.senate.gov/news/pres...ral-aarons-law

-Virgil

[jct74]

'Aaron's Law' focuses penalties on malicious hackers

By Cory Bennett - 04/21/15 04:17 PM EDT

Aaron’s Law is back in Congress.

Named for Aaron Swartz — the programmer and digital activist who took his life while facing data theft charges — the bill would ease punishments stemming from the law under which Swartz was charged, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) is backing the House version; Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) are supporting the Senate’s companion bill.
"At its very core, CFAA is an anti-hacking law,” said Lofgren in a statement. “Unfortunately, over time we have seen prosecutors broadening the intent of the act, handing out inordinately severe criminal penalties for less-than-serious violations.”

In 2011, Swartz faced up to 35 years in prison and $1 million in fines after being charged with gaining unauthorized access to JSTOR, a subscription-based digital repository for academic journals and papers.

...

Privacy and civil liberties groups have long advocated for changes to the CFAA, which they say put basic security engineers and researchers at risk of criminal prosecution. The result, they maintain, is a chilling effect on cybersecurity research — which they say is much needed as cyber threats grow exponentially.

...

read more:
http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecur...icious-hackers

[limequat]

Wyden is a good dude. I hope Rand can find more common ground with him.