US Senate passes Cyber Security Bill

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✦ The US Senate overwhelmingly passed a controversial cybersecurity bill which will facilitate sharing of cyber-attack threats by allowing the government to collect sensitive personal data unchecked. The bill was passed by 74 votes in favour and 21 votes against it.

✦ Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) would make it easier to share information between the government and private sector on cyber threats. However the bill is being opposed by many tech giants and privacy activists.The bill was also opposed by tech trade groups representing Microsoft, Twitter, Yelp, Apple and other companies.

Facts about the bill :-

✦ The bill must be reconciled with two similar information-sharing measures passed by the government.

✦ The bill intends to improve cybersecurity by encouraging companies and the government to share information about hacking threats.

✦ Companies would receive legal protections from antitrust and consumer privacy liabilities for participating in the voluntary program.