Protect our Speech and Security Online: Reject the Graham-Blumenthal EARN IT Act

Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are pushing forward with their so-called “EARN IT” Act, a bill that will undermine encryption and free speech online. The bill will create a new government commission, dominated by law enforcement agencies, and give it unprecedented power over websites both large and small. Attorney General Bill Barr and the DOJ have demanded for years that messaging services give the government special access to users’ private messages. If EARN IT passes, Barr will finally get his wish—law enforcement agencies will be able to scan every message sent online. The EARN IT Act (S. 3398) is anti-speech, anti-security, and unnecessary. A key Senate committee is scheduled to debate the bill next week—we need to tell Senators to reject this dangerous proposal.