Websites switch off in protest

More than 12 large websites are going down today to protest against controversial anti piracy bills which have originated from the US. They claim that these rulings could restrict free speech.

Websites such as Craigslist, Moveon.org, Reddit and Wikipedia are participating in a blackout to protest against the ‘Stop Online Piracy Act' and Protect IP Act bills. These proposals have been supported by the music and film industry who are trying to stop piracy of their media.

This all day protest will effect many millions of people who will be unable to use the websites. Facebook, Google and Twitter have supported the protest, but are not taking down services themselves. They wrote to US Senators and said “We cannot support these bills as written and ask that you consider more targeted ways to combat foreign ‘rogue' websites dedicated to copyright infringement and trademark counterfeiting.”

The Google logo was blacked out on its home page and if you clicked on it, it forwards to an information page relating to the protest.

Jimmy Wales, Wikipedia CEO said in a tweet “I hope Wikipedia [users] will melt phone systems” of the politicians who are in favour of SOPA.

Kitguru says: Hopefully the action will make the authorities realise that free speech is very important.

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