Just a week ago, on May 16th of 2017, a Bill was introduced to the House of Representatives; The Homeland Security Assessment of Terrorists Use of Virtual Currencies Act.

Let's examine the context of this act in order to determine what is being said...

Section 2:

---

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121), shall, in coordination with appropriate Federal partners, develop and disseminate a threat assessment regarding the actual and potential threat posed by individuals using virtual currency to carry out activities in furtherance of an act of terrorism...

---

I'm no rocket scientist, but it seems to me they are associating people like you and me with terrorist groups like ISIS.

Everyone reading this is a supporter of crypto-currency, just being on Steemit makes you one. According to the this bill, you pose a potential threat by using crypto-currency, because you are probably using it to carry out those terrorist acts you have been so dastardly committing! SHAME ON YOU!

This act would give the U.S. government the right to collect data on US citizens who are using crypto-currencies, violating their privacy, and persecuting them if they so chose... wouldn't be the first time the U.S. violated the privacy rights of their citizens...

---

Consistent with the protection of classified and confidential unclassified information, the Under Secretary shall share the threat assessment developed under this section with State, local, and tribal law enforcement officials, including officials that operate within State, local, and regional fusion centers through the Department of Homeland Security State, Local, and Regional Fusion Center Initiative established in section 210A of the Homeland Security Act of 2002

---

Lets give a hypothetical example of what they could do with the passing of this act...

The U.S. government can collect information about me, and "develop and disseminate" a threat assessment on me. I don't even have to commit a crime, they can persecute me just off POTENTIAL risk of being a threat. Can we get some clarity on what a potential threat means please?

Am I a potential terrorist threat because I invest in crypto-currency in order to make money to pay for college?

So lets say I am persecuted and thrown into prison.

What grounds would I have to defend myself? I have no money for a lawyer. I have no expert knowledge of the U.S. justice system. I'd be fucked. All off the basis that I own some bitcoins, which I could be using for terrorist-like activities.

This act makes it LEGAL for the US government to do things like this...

I don't know what to think, other than this act is very shady and very dangerous for those of us who live in the United States. Lets hope and pray that this bill doesn't get passed

Heres a link to the Bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2433/text

"Trickery in the system, put my n*ggas in prison
All our history hidden, ain't no liberty given"
-Joey Bada$$

---

What do you all think about this bill? I find it very unsettling to think I can be grouped in the same category as terrorists just because I want to make a better life for myself by investing in crypto-currency.

Where's the liberty?

---

THANKS FOR READINGStay Awesome-Zey