Electronic McCarthyism

The likely result of the 2011 and early 2012 PIPA (Protect IP Act) and SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) legislation. The initial formation of these documents, bankrolled by the MPAA and RIAA industry giants, was intended to stop piracy in yet another venue: online. The laws were written in such a broad way, and with such ineffective methodology (DNS blocking), that the impact of the laws on actual piracy would be minimal. Instead, the laws provide for action based on accusation, rather than due process. A website merely has to be reported as having copyrighted material, and the action to shut it down goes into effect - with proof of actual wrongdoing not required. The likelihood of this being abused is high. The effects are bound to be staggering, especially on the smaller organizations whose websites are their storefronts. Stifling political action, information sharing, and more... based on accusation alone, just like McCarthyism in the 1950s.