Dear Senators Corker & Alexander,
My name is David, and I am an IT and Security Professional working in Chattanooga, TN. As an Infrastructure Engineer and Tier 2 Technical Support Specialist, I cannot support the amendments proposed by Senator Patrick Leahy described by a CNET article to “Grant Warrantless access to Americans’ correspondence to over 22 federal agencies.” Correspondence includes email, Facebook posts, twitter posts, and more (http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57552225-38/senate-bill-rewrite-lets-feds-read-your-e-mail-without-warrants/).

The Internet is a powerful means of communication, yet most Internet users do not understand the complex security issues surrounding account and password protection and privacy concerns.

While these amendments may sound good in theory, they would grant several government agencies the ability to read private communication between individuals without a search warrant. This is unacceptable.

Additionally, these measures would, in my professional opinion, open up additional security holes into an already insecure Internet.

Password and account protection is necessary in today’s Internet. News of another website hacked is almost a daily occurrence. It is incredibly easy to spoof emails, “sniff” electronic communication between networks and computers, and find users’ data on the Internet.

Used inappropriately or insecurely, these new powers by the over 22 agencies would almost certainly threaten the identity, privacy and security of millions of Americans.

Interestingly, as you may already know, Senator Leahy has already recanted his comments after CNET’s original article was published (c/f http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-57552687-38/leahy-scuttles-his-warrantless-e-mail-surveillance-bill/).

However, the original amendments are still not to be taken lightly. This reminds me of the recent proposed SOPA legislation, which I also opposed.

Further attempts to grant warrantless seizure and control of American’s private data will only undermine the very values we hold dear in the 4th Amendment of our Constitution. They will also undermine the privacy, the identity, and the security of all Americans.

Please vote NO to these most recent amendments and to any future attempt to control & restrict the Internet.

A free and open world depends on a free and open web (https://www.google.com/intl/en/takeaction/).

Sincerely,
David White