In order to protect American citizens from threats beyond their comprehension, it looks like the US Senate is proposing creating an “Internet kill switch” which would grant the government the authority to turn off access to the world wide web (similar to what Mubarak did in Egypt).

The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Maine Sen. Susan Collins, the ranking Republican on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  The bill — called “The Protecting Cyberspace As A National Asset Act of 2010” S.3480 — was approved by a Senate panel this week.

S. 3480 would create a new government agency called the National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications.  The NCCC would have sweeping powers to control the Internet, including the ability to shut down the web for a 30-day period.  Considering that at least 60% of Americans get their daily news fix from the Internet, this is a staggering proposal. (The Blaze)

Unless our world is under assault from a killer virus from the future (whose purpose is to turn machines against mankind), it’s hard to justify giving the US government this power, especially since a lengthly shut down could literally kill off companies that rely upon the Internet in order to survive.

Hopefully American bloggers (or anyone for that matter) will consider calling their Senators and politely ask them to quickly kill this bill.

While a few organizations are mobilizing opposition to this bill, hopefully some of the tech giants (notably Google, Facebook, Automattic and Twitter) will use their influence to alert users regarding this bill as having the Internet shut off without warning.