First reactions to CIPA decision
Having worked for libraries, Internet filters, and librarians for a long time (especially last summer), I’ve seen first-hand how the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) obstructs the main purpose of America’s libraries: providing information for citizens.
For those of you who haven’t read a story about the decision, read the one at ABC News (the same story I read). CIPA states that the government can withhold money from libraries if they do not install Internet filters for pornography and sex. The Supreme Court ruled that it was OK for the government to do this.
I have one question. Does anyone who knows anything about computers favor Internet filters? I’m not talking about great-grandmommy Clarke here. They don’t work. If you want proof, you can visit the first site I was blocked from when using filters for the first time. The example I always heard at libraries was that patrons weren’t able to research breast cancer because filters blocked pages with the word “breast”.
Technology isn’t perfect. If it were, all porn sites would be in something as simple to filter as a .xxx domain, we’d have filters that worked for spam, we wouldn’t need tech support, and robots probably would’ve taken over the world by now. But it isn’t perfect, and that includes Web filters. We’re restricting access to information (and by information, I don’t mean porn).
After reading the article, though, I don’t think I’m mad at the Supreme Court. I don’t think CIPA’s unconstitutional. If the Court said that Internet filters were mandatory for libraries, THAT would be unconstitutional. CIPA just says that libraries that don’t install filters may not receive government money. Blame for this one once again goes to Congress. Our senators and representatives passed a bill that limits what the public can see with a technology that just isn’t ready to handle what’s on the Internet.
I’d go tell my representatives what I thought of the bill, but I don’t think I can get to house.gov.
CIPA resources: Law (PDF @ ALA) - Decision (PDF @ EFF) - American Library Association - EFF
