US lawmakers want social media firms to report terrorists
Bill is modeled on legislation requiring companies to inform authorities of online child pornography violations
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require technology companies to report online terrorist activity they become aware of to law enforcement.
The bill introduced Tuesday by Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein and Republican Senator Richard Burr is modeled on a law requiring reporting of online child pornography.
President Barack Obama said Sunday that he would urge high-tech and law enforcement leaders to make it harder for terrorists to use technology to escape from justice.
The FBI is investigating last week’s shooting attack in San Bernardino, California, as an act of terrorism.
Democratic Senator Ron Wyden says he opposes the bill because “terrorist activity” isn’t defined and companies may perversely avoid looking for content to avoid breaking the law if they fail to report something.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
