BY JEFF SKINNER

STATE WIDE – The RESTRICT Act (S. 686) is proposed legislation that seeks to erase internet anonymity indefinitely with far reaching consequences for those who take their privacy seriously.

It has been a tumultuous week across the country, as well as in the state of Ohio as a whole. While the mainstream coverage of the tragedy in Nashville has been extensive, their mention of the upcoming RESTRICT ACT has been less so, to the point of deafening silence. Officially, the bill is designed to block and disrupt transactions and financial holdings linked to foreign adversaries. However, much like Florida governor Ron Desantis’ “anti-vax pass” bill that actually allows for the forcible detention and injection of those deemed a “health risk,” the devil is in the details.

The Act is tickling the fancies of both parties for various reasons, with Democrats excited over the prospect of weeding out “Russian bots” and Republicans ecstatic over banning TikTok. Both parties are also struggling to ignore the most dangerous provisions contained within which could be aimed at American citizens under the guise of national security.

The bill would allow blanket bans on software deemed to pose an “unacceptable risk” to the nation with the determination of said risks resting in the hands of the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense, or the Director of National Intelligence, all unelected and unaccountable positions. Those who may attempt to access whatever software that is banned by using a VPN could face up to 20 years in prison. The bill would also exempt the process of determination from FOIA requests. The act also allows the government to tell any website using any “foreign content” or software, or that might be engaged in platform communication the government deems as against their interests, to shut down or face criminal charges. This would effectively give them complete control over what content is allowed and what isn’t under the guise of national security.

Proponents of the bill specify that the bill’s enforcement mechanisms would only apply to those individuals who are using said software and engaging in activity that is deemed harmful to the U.S. Government. However, opponents of the act are quick to point out how everyone from parents at school board meetings to individuals making informed medical choices have been deemed national security risks by governmental and private agencies.

This act comes during a time period often referred to as the “decade of transformation” by globalist organizations like the World Economic Forum that are advocate for an end to internet anonymity and to “immunize” the internet against “contagions.” It would seem the first step towards this process would be ending internet anonymity.

The bill currently has bipartisan support across Republican and Democratic members. The bill was introduced March 7 and is expected to be voted on in the Senate soon.