Barack Obama has signed an executive order that could hand control of the internet to the U.S. Government, in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack.
The order lays out guidelines government agencies should follow if there’s a serious emergency, so they can maintain levels of communication.
But critics are concerned by a section of the order they claim gives the president and the secretary of homeland security control of ‘the on/off switch to the Web’.
The order, signed by President Obama last week, stated that ‘The Federal Government must have the ability to communicate at all times and under all circumstances to carry out its most critical and time sensitive missions.’
It explained: ‘Survivable, resilient, enduring, and effective communications, both domestic and international, are essential to enable the executive branch to communicate within itself and with: the legislative and judicial branches; State, local, territorial, and tribal governments; private sector entities; and the public, allies, and other nations. Such communications must be possible under all circumstances to ensure national security, effectively manage emergencies, and improve national resilience.’
But Section 5.2 has raised alarm among those who fear the government will have too much control over the Web.
The section explained how the secretary of homeland security – currently Janet Napolitano – will ‘satisfy priority communications requirements through the use of commercial, Government, and privately owned communications resources, when appropriate.’
According to The Verge, sceptics fear the clause gives Mr Obama and Ms Napolitano ‘control over the internet’ over and above the needs of the nation in extreme cases, like natural disasters.
White House officials have acted quickly to ease concern, insisting the order is just an update of an existing authority dating back to 1984 . The claim the government has been granted no extra powers.
A spokesman told CNBC in an email: ‘The Internet is an international network of networks; no one person, organization or country can control or shut down the Internet.
‘The United States relies on the Internet to perform essential functions including to operate critical infrastructure and to maintain essential national security capabilities. That is why the President has designated our digital infrastructure as a strategic national asset.
‘This Order is about communications resilience — the Administration’s goal is to maintain this connected environment during the worst disasters, even in circumstances when our adversaries may wish to deprive us of their use.’