Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg voiced his opinion about SOPA and PIPA for the first time Wednesday, calling the legislature “poorly-thought out laws that get in the way of the internet’s development."
Zuckerberg’s opposition to the Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) joins the ranks of various other tech leaders and companies, including Wikipedia and Tumblr, who have blacked out their sites Wednesday to protest the bills. (Facebook didn't go that far.)
“The internet is the most powerful tool we have for creating a more open and connected world. We can't let poorly thought out laws get in the way of the internet's development,” Zuckerberg wrote in a post on Facebook. “Facebook opposes SOPA and PIPA, and we will continue to oppose any laws that will hurt the internet.”
Zuckerberg added that the world needs “political leaders who are pro-internet.”
“We have been working with many of these folks for months on better alternatives to these current proposals,” Zuckerberg added. “I encourage you to learn more about these issues and tell your congressmen that you want them to be pro-internet.”
He also encouraged Facebook members to visit a Facebook page with more information on SOPA and PIPA called “Facebook Washington DC, Anti-Piracy Bills,” which highlights how the laws could create problems for Internet companies in the future.
“PROTECT IP and SOPA could create very real problems for Internet companies like ours that are a primary driver of innovation, growth and job creation in the 21st century economy,” the Facebook page noted.
Zuckerberg also sent out his first tweet to address the topic -- his very first message on Twitter since 2009.
“Tell your congressmen you want them to be pro-internet. My Facebook post is here: https://t.co/XEmFNxGt," @finkd tweeted.
Are you surprised Zuckberg opposes SOPA and PIPA? Should he have gone further and blacked out Facebook? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
This story originally published on Mashable here.
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