|
 The panel's approval cleared the way for a vote in the full Senate
on the measure, which would extend some legal liability protection
to companies to make it easier for them to share data with the
government to help prevent and respond to cyberattacks.
Some privacy advocates opposed the bill, worrying that it would do
too little to prevent more data collection by the National Security
Agency and other U.S. intelligence agencies. Such surveillance has
come under scrutiny since 2013 disclosures by former NSA contractor
Edward Snowden.
Privacy concerns were cited by the only member of the committee who
voted against the bill, Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon.
"It's a surveillance bill by another name," Wyden said in a
statement.
 The measure was partly inspired by recent cyberattacks on major
corporations, including Sony. Several major firms, including
Microsoft Corp, Lockheed Martin and Morgan Stanley, had pushed for a
threat-sharing bill, according to media reports.
Given its strong support in the committee, the measure is given a
good chance of passing when it comes up for a vote in the full
Senate, most likely in the coming months.
[to top of second column] |
But it also must win passage in the House of Representatives to be
sent for President Barack Obama to sign into law.
Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House
Intelligence Committee, said he was optimistic the panel would have
its own bill in the coming weeks.
(Editing by Sandra Maler and Will Dunham)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
