[Excerpted from CDT newsletter.] Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 18:10:43 -0400 SEN. LOTT (R-MISS) TO OFFER AMENDMENT TO STRIKE 'DEFENSES' SECTION OF EXON CDA. Senator Lott is preparing to offer an amendment to strike the service provider defenses from the Exon language already approved by the Senate Commerce committee. Analysis: Holding service providers such as America Online and Internet access providers liable for the content on their system over which they have no control will stifle the free flow of information in cyberspace and create major business risk for the private companies that are building the National Information Infrastructure. Furthermore, placing criminal liability on service providers poses a serious risk to the privacy of individual users by forcing service providers to monitor communications in order to limit their own liability. Status: Lott plans to offer this amendment when the on the Senate floor when the telecommunications bill is being considered. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ABOUT THE CENTER FOR DEMOCRACY AND TECHNOLOGY/CONTACTING US The Center for Democracy and Technology is a non-profit public interest organization. The Center's mission is to develop and advocate public policies that advance constitutional civil liberties and democratic values in new computer and communications technologies. Contacting us: To subscribe to CDT's news distribution list (to receive future Policy Posts directly), send email to with a subject of 'subscribe policy posts'. ** NOTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY REQUESTED TO BE ADDED TO CDT's DISTRIBUTION LIST: We are still working to build our listserv -- you will beging receiving Policy Posts on this list very soon. We appreciate your patience! General information on CDT can be obtained by sending mail to