Online privacy experts sound alarm as US Senate bill sparks surveillance fears

The Earn It Act, described as an effort to address sexual exploitation, could threaten encryption practices, opponents say

A US Senate bill that critics say would enable widespread censorship and surveillance has taken a significant step towards becoming law, raising alarm among internet freedom advocates.

The Senate judiciary committee voted on Thursday to advance the Earn It Act, legislation that on paper is intended to address sexual exploitation. However, privacy experts say the act would give the Department of Justice unprecedented power over the internet and potentially threaten the privacy of messages sent online.