Facebook says it is backing a new cyber-security bill due before US Congress later this month.

The HR 3523 Act would enable the government to access web users' private data on suspicion of a cyber threat.

The act, dubbed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (Cispa), would also allow easier information-sharing between security agencies and private web firms.

Advocacy groups claim that it is aimed at file sharers rather than hackers.

First introduced on 30 November last year, the proposed law - which is due before Congress on 23 April - has been criticised by advocates of internet privacy and neutrality.

Facebook, AT&T, Intel, Verizon, and Microsoft are among some 800 firms who have reacted positively to the bill.

In a blog post, Facebook's vice-president of US public policy, Joel Kaplan, said Facebook would continue to safeguard personal information of its 845 million-plus users.

Cispa "would make it easier for Facebook and other companies to receive critical-threat data from the US government", stated Mr Kaplan.

"Importantly, HR 3523 would impose no new obligations on us to share data with anyone - and ensures that if we do share data about specific cyber threats, we are able to continue to safeguard our users' private information, just as we do today."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17730266
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