Sen. Mark Warner laying the groundwork for ONLINE CENSORSHIP by targeting domain registrars

10/30/2024 / By Richard Brown

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) has launched an initiative to investigate the role major internet domain companies have taken in the spread of so-called disinformation, primarily from Russia.

Warner’s focus includes prominent players in the digital space such as Cloudflare, GoDaddy, NameCheap, NameSilo, Newfold and Verisign. However, critics argue that Warner is just laying the groundwork for a government system that could inevitably be used to suppress online dissent.

The senator’s strategy is notable not for its tactics but for its ambition. By shifting his focus to the core of internet infrastructure – domain registrars – he is bypassing social media and diving into the foundational aspects of the web. This is a bold move – after all, every website begins with a domain name, and controlling the names could theoretically mean controlling the entire landscape. Yet, it’s important to recognize that Warner’s targets are not the alleged purveyors of propaganda themselves.

Along with the spread of so-called Russian disinformation, Warner’s concerns stem from the rising number of online news outlets masquerading as legitimate news sources, sometimes imitating the design and writing style of publications like Fox News. But questions have been raised regarding why Warner believes domain registrars bear responsibility for these sites.

Many registrars may be as unaware of these malicious activities as the general public. The implication that anonymous domain purchases and cryptocurrency transactions are suspect moves the conversation into murky waters, where privacy is viewed with suspicion rather than as a fundamental right. (Related: Agents who falsely claimed Hunter Biden laptop story was Russian disinformation were on CIA payroll at the time.)

Warner’s emphasis on cryptocurrency and anonymous domains conveniently sets the stage for increased legislative oversight. It could unjustly implicate countless individuals, journalists and companies that rely on these resources for protection against intrusive surveillance. This raises the troubling prospect of privacy itself being labeled as a pathway to corruption and disorder.

Critics note that normalizing such oversight could set a dangerous precedent, opening the door for scrutinizing and ultimately suppressing various forms of expression.

Federal government takes action against alleged Russian influence operation

In September, the Department of Justice took action against an alleged Russian influence operation, supposedly aimed at undermining confidence in upcoming elections.

Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray announced the seizure of 32 internet domains linked to this operation, dubbed “Doppelganger.” These domains were allegedly used by Russian companies to spread disinformation and influence voters in the U.S. and abroad, particularly concerning the 2024 presidential election.

The companies involved reportedly operated under the direction of Sergei Kiriyenko, a senior official in President Vladimir Putin’s administration, and were tasked with promoting state-sponsored narratives to manipulate public opinion. An internal Kremlin document revealed their objective: to secure outcomes favorable to Russia in foreign elections.

The seized domains also contained so-called Russian propaganda designed to reduce international support for Ukraine and influence U.S. voters with Russia-friendly views. The campaign specifically targeted certain populations with content intended to inflame divisions. Techniques included cybersquatting – hijacking similar domain names – and creating fake social media profiles to promote misleading narratives.

Watch this Oct. 22 episode of “Coach Dave Live!” as host Coach Dave Daubenmire discusses in detail the actual difference between mis-, mal- and disinformation.

This video is from the Coach David Live channel on Brighteon.com.