US bill requiring carriers to report ‘terror’ criticised

Onerous burden: A new US bill would require Internet companies like Facebook and Twitter to make judgement calls about what constituted "terrorist activity" on their networks and report them to the authorities. Photo: Reuters

WASHINGTON: A coalition including civil liberties and human rights activists urged US lawmakers to reject a bill that would require Internet companies to report signs of “terrorist activity” on their networks. 

More than 30 organisations endorsed an open letter urging the Senate to reject the measure included in an intelligence authorisation act which cleared a committee and had been on track for Senate passage without debate.