Stop Online Piracy Act
If you have been on the internet today and gone to Wikipedia you would have noticed something a little different to normal. The 24 hour 'Blackout' is underway to protest against SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act). Hundred's of major websites have protested in different ways against these two acts including Wikipedia, Wired, Reddit, WordPress, Twitter, Facebook and Google.
The most notable of the blackouts would have to be Wikipedia, one of the most visited sites on the internet being completely blacked out. Most sites used interesting methods in which their content was still able to be viewed (see the Wired.com screenshot below) but Wikipedia was completely shut down.
SOPA is a massive issue in America, but it is also going to effect anyone who uses the internet regularly. PIPA, if passed, will give corporations the right to get other website showing their material shutdown permanently and have their domain blocked. This means social networking sites, in particular Google+ and Facebook, will become liable for any content that their users' post. If they fail to remove infringing content, they can become subject to shutdown.
Even though these acts are in America, if passed, will effect Australia too. If you are interested in discussing SOPA further, check out the Zise Facebook Page. Also, if you are interested in learning more about SOPA and PIPA check out Stop Online Piracy Act | Wikipedia
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