Privacy groups unimpressed with cybersecurity bill changes

Changes to a House cybersecurity bill have failed to win over the bill's critics, who warn that it could undermine online privacy.

The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) would tear down legal barriers that discourage companies from sharing information about cyberattacks, but privacy groups warn the legislation could lead companies to hand over personal user information to spy agencies. The new draft would also require that the Homeland Security Department have access to all information shared with the government. Privacy advocates prefer that a domestic agency like Homeland Security play a central role in the information-sharing process instead of a spy agency like the National Security Agency. But the privacy groups noted that the change doesn't prevent companies from handing over private information to NSA or the CIA — they would just have to also share it with the Homeland Security Department. The new draft would also give people and companies the right to sue the government if it mishandles the information.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), Free Press and other groups are leading a week of protests against the legislation.