Reddit, a popular online sharing site community with nearly 35 million active users and a site that tech junkies swear by, will blackout to protest againt the Stop Online Piracy Bill (SOPA). Reddit, where tons of conversation threads and links are shared, will hold the Internet blackout on 18 January, same day as Wikipedia.
Zdnet’s Steven J Vaughan-Nichols quoted Reddit, who said
The social network isn’t, according to Reddit, doing this lightly. “We wouldn’t do this if we didn’t believe this legislation and the forces behind it were a serious threat to reddit and the Internet as we know it. Blacking out reddit is a hard choice, but we feel focusing on a day of action is the best way we can amplify the voice of the community.”
The Internet community has been vocally against SOPA, a bill they believe will censor the Internet and could change the way the net functions. Currently the Bill, which is being debated in the American Congress, would force Google and other search engines to block foreign websites that host content which violates American Copyright laws. SOPA has also been called the Great American firewall, since the legislators of the bill intend to target foreign websites, which they argue are selling fake products, pirated American movies and music, etc.
The Reddit Symbol to fight against SOPA.
Reddit has also launched a little Reddit swordsman, sort of like Mel Gibson in Braveheart to mark it’s blackout protest, which is darned cute.
Reddit said in a blog post that the site will be shut down with a message on display on how SOPA will destroy the internet. They said, “We will be displaying a simple message about how the PIPA/SOPA legislation would shut down sites like reddit, link to resources to learn more, and suggest ways to take action. We will showcase the live video stream of the House hearing where Internet entrepreneurs and technical experts (including reddit co-founder Alexis “kn0thing” Ohanian) will be testifying. We will also spotlight community initiatives like meetups to visit Congressional offices, campaigns to contact companies supporting PIPA/SOPA, and other tactics.”
Till now nearly 120 companies have come out publicly to protest against SOPA. For the complete list, go to TechCrunch. To know more about SOPA click here.
