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Effects of Counter-Terrorism on Cyberspace: A Case Study of Azzam.com

NCJ Number
203061
Journal
Journal of the Institute of Justice and International Studies Issue: 3 Dated: 2003 Pages: 88-98
Author(s)
Dino Bozonelos; Galen Stocking
Date Published
2003
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article examines the conflict between cyberrights and cyberpolicing in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Abstract
Using a case study of the censorship of Azzam.com, the article illustrates how issues of cybersecurity and cyberights have become more salient since the enactment of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Cyber Security Act of 2002. The latter Act strengthens the Patriot Act and allows for more leeway for government agencies to pressure Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) into shutting down inflammatory and terroristic Web sites, such as Azzam.com. The article discusses rights in cyberspace, which has been a contentious issue in America, through an analysis of key court cases, including the landmark case Reno v. ACLU. Next, the article offers an analysis of the impact of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 and the Cyber Security Act of 2002 on cyberpolicing. After a close look at the Azzam.com case, in which the Muslim pro-Jihad group had their Web site repeatedly shut down, the article concludes that in order to effectively fight the War on Terrorism on the Internet, the Federal Government will have to trample on our individual and collective cyberights. Bibliography