Millions worldwide have expressed their support for victims of the Charlie Hebdo attack by Islamic extremists, which left 12 dead. The tragic shooting has since become a referendum on people’s inalienable right to freely express themselves, a sentiment epitomized by the hashtag #JeSuisCharlie (“I am Charlie”).

But while world leaders have joined with the demonstrators in solidarity, some have used the tragedy as a pretext to amp up online surveillance in the name of national security, curbing the very same rights they claim to champion.

European Union

On Sunday, European Union leaders issued a joint statement condemning the attack. Buried in that same declaration, which called the shooting a terrorist act against freedom of expression, is a recommendation that could have dire consequences for online speech.

“We are concerned at the increasingly frequent use of the Internet to fuel hatred and violence and signal our determination to ensure that the Internet is not abused to this end,” the statement read.

3m people march in Paris for freedom of expression, and 13 govts announce plans for Internet censorship without due process #CharlieDoesSurf

— Caspar Bowden (@CasparBowden) January 11, 2015

Read the Full Article: Source – Fusion
http://fusion.net/story/37985/us-and-eu-politicians-use-charlie-hebdo-attack-to-call-for-more-internet-surveillance/

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