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Richard Blumenthal on Technology |
Google initially denied any data had been collected from unknowing individuals. Google said the data had been destroyed, although it turned out some had not been.
The inquiry began in June 2010. Richard Blumenthal, then Connecticut's attorney general, said his office would lead a multistate investigation into what he called "Google's deeply disturbing invasion of personal privacy." In December 2010, Blumenthal issued a civil investigative demand to get the data. Google never provided it. The current A.G. said that now, "what mattered was Google admitted they weren't just taking pictures."
McMAHON: Both. The terrorists only need to succeed once, while we must get it right every single time.
BLUMENTHAL: While I am thankful that there has not been a successful attack on American shores since 9/11/2001, real threats remain. It is therefore vital that we use both military and non-military methods to target and attack the terrorists where they are. This includes targeting Al Qaeda's organizations in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen as well as its affiliates like Al-Shabaab in Somalia. At the same time, we must do more at home to remedy the unacceptable flaws exposed in our homeland security, by improving information sharing, bringing together the best technology and the most effective management strategies to get people working across agencies, and to engage the private sector to collect, understand, and mobilize information in real time to improve our national security.
Congressional Summary:Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act, or the PROTECT IP Act, or PIPA (in the House, Stop Online Piracy Act or SOPA) :
OnTheIssues Notes: SOPA and PIPA, proponents claim, would better protect electronic copyright ("IP", or Intellectual Property). Opponents argue that SOPA and PIPA would censor the Internet. Internet users and entrepreneurs oppose the two bills; google.com and wikipedia.com held a "blackout" on Jan. 18, 2012 in protest. An alternative bill, the OPEN Act was proposed on Jan. 18 to protect intellectual property without censorship; internet businesses prefer the OPEN Act while the music and movie industries prefer SOPA and PIPA.
