Now they want to censor search results

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Published on Friday, 15 May 2015 10:45

Written by editor

New leaked documents have revealed a plan to censor links online, “monitor” user activity, filter content, and “verify” and moderate free expression. Officials have already ordered Google1 to delete content from search results. Please speak out before this censorship scheme goes any further.

Your ability to link to content of your choice is under attack, and we need your help now to save it.

OpenMedia has become aware of new leaked documents revealing a plan2 that would require websites to monitor your online activity, and include new powers to censor and block links3 – the basic building blocks of the Web.

This will impact Internet users everywhere. Let’s put a stop to this right now: add your voice to the global network to Save the Link.

Why should you care? Well, the World Wide Web you and I browse everyday is really just a series of links.

The link is what powers many of our favourite online services, and what enables us to stay connected with friends and family from around the world.

Simply put, censoring links will break the Internet. Speak out now, and tell public officials that we’ll fight to Save the Link.

You’ve probably seen our campaign to shed light on the Internet censorship plan in the Trans-Pacific Partnership(TPP). It’s just one way Big Media is trying to censor the Web–but it’s far from the only way.

That’s why we need to continue to grow a huge network of individuals and organizations committed to stopping these censorship plans, wherever they emerge.

Join thousands of Internet users from across the world who have said enough is enough: we have a right to link.

These link censorship schemes are so extreme that they could result in fines of hundreds of thousands of dollars for only linking to unauthorized content.4 Could you afford that?

If that wasn’t frightening enough, powerful interests want to put this backwards plan into effect around the world. The entire European Union is the next target to upload content censoring rules for Internet users everywhere.5

The bottom line is this: every successful scheme to censor links weakens the foundation of the Internet.

What's stopping them? You are. Sign on to Save the Link now.

For your right to link,

–Meghan, on behalf of your OpenMedia team

P.S.: Big Media companies have deep pockets, and it lets them get away with buying support through lobbyists and unscrupulous politicians. But if every one of you gave $5 today, think of the impact we could make! Please consider donating today.

Footnotes
[1] Canadian Court to the Entire World: No Links For You! Source: EFF.
[2] EU Commission’s patchy and timid plans fall far short of breaking down national borders online. Source: Julia Reda.
[3] Why Internet Users Everywhere Should be Watching The EU Right Now. Source.
[4] Spanish Copyright Amendments Will Shakedown News Sites and Censor the Web. Source: EFF.
[5] An EU-wide ‘Google tax’ in the making? Source: Julia Reda.

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