NY Tech Community Fears Proposed Internet Laws

The New York technology community is worried about possible ramifications of proposed legislation that they say would threaten innovation on the Internet and quickly undermine the city’s thriving technology sector.

Demonstrators hold signs against proposed laws SOPA and PIPA, which will crack down on Internet piracy, in front of the Third Avenue offices of U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand on Wednesday. Benjamin Chasteen/The Epoch Times

NEW YORK—The New York technology community is worried about possible ramifications of proposed legislation that they say would threaten innovation on the Internet and quickly undermine the city’s thriving technology sector.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the U.S. House and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the U.S. Senate were introduced to prevent online piracy. Detractors, including Google and Facebook, say the bills would, if passed, give unprecedented power to the government to censor the Internet and interfere with its regular operation.

Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Chuck Schumer have co-sponsored PIPA.

The New York Tech Meet Up (NYTM) held a protest in front of the senators’ offices on Third Avenue on Wednesday to “physically and publicly demonstrate our collective concern at the unprecedented attack currently being made on the Internet and the New York tech industry” by the bills, according to a handout.

The group has more than 20,000 members, and holds monthly meetings showcasing new technology.