S686 "The RESTRICT Act" is about way more than TikTok
If “the truth will set you free”, the RESTRICT Act is poised to be a gigantic threat to freedom. But you’re not likely to hear that on the nightly news … which is why we need to stop relying on news coverage to translate legislation.
It’s important to see the mainstream media for what it is: basically, the marketing arm of government, alphabet agencies and corporate interests.
So let’s revisit The Restrict Act (S686), which capitalizes on our fears once again.
Here’s how CNN explains it:
The legislation, called the Restricting the Emergence of Security Threats that Risk Information and Communications Technology (RESTRICT) Act, does not target TikTok specifically for a ban. But it aims to give the US government new powers, up to and including a ban, against foreign-linked producers of electronics or software that the Commerce Department deems to be a national security risk.
The proposed law takes a wide-ranging approach to fears that companies with ties to China could be pressured by that country's government into handing over Americans' sensitive personal information or communications records.
However, if you follow this thread, you’ll see there’s a little more to it…
The gentleman in this TikTok shares similar concerns…
How we use the internet is about to fundamentally change forever and it’s terrifying. This is bill S686, also known as The RESTRICT Bill. You’ll probably know it as the “TikTok ban bill”, but it does much more than just that. It actually does more than any bill I think we’ve ever seen.
I encourage everyone to read it by going here and clicking the text tab, but here are the main takeaways:
Foreign adversaries can change by definition, but if you are already listed, they are the People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong special administration region, the Republic of Cuba, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and of course, the Russian Federation and Venezuela under the regime of Nicolas Maduro Moros… but these definitions can change at any time.
The bill covers hardware technology like modems, routers and home cameras, and virtual tech like VPNs, and basically bans them if if they are manufactured by or used to contact and deal with foreign adversaries.
Speaking of VPNs… using VPNs to bypass and access banned apps such as TikTok is made a criminal act under this bill. And the penalty is a minimum imprisonment of 20 years and a minimum fine of *$250,000 OR $1 million depending on if you knowingly did so to access banned content.
The bill gives the government the power to monitor any activity used by these suspected devices, virtual or otherwise. Essentially, they can monitor what you are doing at home 24/7 without even informing you. This includes things such as routers, video games, streaming apps, smart thermostats, Ring cameras… basically anything that uses the internet.
Now the real terrifying part of all of this… is that the bill goes on to state that this will happen by the President appointing a Secretary of Communication. That secretary then forms a group - on their own, without any voter input whatsoever. This group can have meetings behind closed doors. They don’t have to disclose anything. They can ban or deem anything inappropriate or a risk to security at any moment in time. And if they do, they can go through your Insta messages, emails, texts - basically anything that uses the internet - and they can censor it.
So in summary, this bill can effectively ban anything the government deems inappropriate extremely quickly without warning.
*the verbiage from the S686 says “A fine of not more than $250,000 or an amount that is twice the value of the transaction that is the basis of the violation with respect to which the penalty is imposed, whichever is greater.” and “A person who willfully commits, willfully attempts to commit, or willfully conspires to commit, or aids or abets in the commission of an unlawful act described in subsection (a) shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $1,000,000, or if a natural person, may be imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both.”
Tucker Carlson weighs in here.
So this isn’t about banning TikTok. This is about introducing flat out totalitarianism into OUR system. Just because TikTok is so unappealing… that does not mean that the people trying to ban TikTok have your interests in mind. Or America’s… This is not an effort to push back against China, it’s part of a strategy to make America much more like China - with the government in charge of what you read and see. And with terrifying punitive powers at their fingertips.
We’ve seen this before from the national security state again and again. Confronted with a foreign adversary - for example after 9/11 - the federal government uses the opportunity to expand their police powers over the American population. And they do it under false pretexts and they do it quickly. By whipping people into a panic.
Usually it’s rooted in some truth. TikTok is bad. Sure. Al-Qaeda was terrible. Of course. But these measures are not aimed at stopping the foreign threat, they’re aimed at controlling the American population…
And this dude details ALL the ways this bill can allow the government into your private business…
I’m not fan of TikTok. I’m sure many of us would not be sad to see it go.
This isn’t about TikTok.
Reach out to your representatives and let them know YOU KNOW. If they’re going to be complicit in undermining you freedom, let them know you see what they’re doing. And don’t let them do it.
I’m not a fan of TikTok, but if they ban TikTok then who’s next?
Is there ANYTHING your congressmen or senators can and will do to stop the implementation of the RESTRICT ACT?
Luc