Secure Federal File Sharing Act

Floor Speech

Secure Federal File Sharing Act

* Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker and Chairman Towns, thank you for bringing this important legislation before the House today.

* Less than a year ago, Chairman Towns and his staff worked to convene an Oversight and Government Reform hearing that I requested about the dangers posed by inadvertent file-sharing over open-network peer-to-peer file sharing software. I think it's safe to say we were all shocked by what we heard and saw at that hearing: information on the United States Secret Service safe house for first lady Michelle Obama; the names, addresses, and, in some cases, private information like Social Security numbers for men and women deploying to Afghanistan; as well as tax information for countless individuals. All of this information was on display for the world to see and all of it had been leaked as a result of inadvertent file sharing or theft over open-network peer-to-peer file sharing software.

* Passing this bill is an important step in enacting common sense information security protections. This legislation will prohibit the software that has facilitated inadvertent file sharing and information theft from computers that have access to sensitive government information.

* Not only important, this legislation is also timely. Last month, the Federal Trade Commission released findings from their investigation into inadvertent file sharing. Their conclusion supports this legislation and reaffirms what many of us have learned as a result of the committee's work: peer-to-peer file sharing software subjects millions of users to identity theft and other serious hazards.

* The FTC is fulfilling its important role of protecting consumers by alerting consumers about stolen information, but I am concerned that their report does not pursue the one thing that all of the victims of inadvertent peer-to-peer file sharing have in common: the software itself. I urge the FTC to continue its work in this area and to look specifically at the providers of peer-to-peer software. The FTC has gone after those who use the software for harm, but they haven't spent enough time addressing those who develop this software--replete with security risks--for material gain. I look forward to future FTC investigation and possible action to address this ongoing problem.

* Chairman Towns, thank you for working so hard to address this issue.

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