In a landmark move to make the internet a more safe and pleasant experience for the users, the U.S Congress is in the process of drafting a resolution that, would make it compulsory for the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to remove or block fraudulent websites, that tend to make money via scams and other unethical means. In a similar situation, the Chinese government has also strict restrictions on the ISPs, according to which, the ISPs are required to block fraudulent websites and other sites that, tend to spread Anti-China propaganda.

The legislation has been approved by the Congress for the sole purpose of protecting the the Securities Investor Protection Corporation an government backed organization that assist the investors affiliated to the organization with financial support of upto $500,00, especially in situations where the investors are victims of Cyber crimes. The new legislation has designed to stem flow of scam websites, that portray themselves as legitimate business affiliated to the SIPC and then request monetary aid, siphoning off millions of dollars.

As per the bill,

“Any Internet service provider that, on or through a system or network controlled or operated by the Internet service provider, transmits, routes, provides connections for, or stores any material containing any misrepresentation (of the SIPC) shall be liable for any damages caused thereby, including damages suffered by the SIPC, if the Internet service provider…is aware of facts or circumstances from which it is apparent that the material contains a misrepresentation.”

However, the internet service providers have been continually opposing as they fear that, the civil penalties accompanying the legislation will be quite hefty and they will be applicable on the ISPs, even if the blocking of the website might not be technically feasible.

Via Cnet.