Homeland Security Demands Mozilla Remove Firefox Extension That Redirects Seized Domains

Source: Techdirt

Apparently, the folks at Homeland Security are not at all pleased with the very, very simple Firefox extension, called MAFIAAfire, that negates ICE's domain seizures, by automatically rerouting users to alternate domains. Apparently, DHS demanded that Mozilla take the extension down from its listing of Firefox extensions claiming that the add-on "circumvented" DHS's seizure orders. Thankfully, Mozilla didn't just fold, but instead left it up and sent DHS a list of questions concerning the request. The list of questions is really fantastic, as it goes way beyond the direct request to really get to the heart of the questionable nature of ICE's activity with domain seizures:

To help us evaluate the Department of Homeland Security's request to take-down/remove the MAFIAAfire.com add-on from Mozilla's websites, can you please provide the following additional information:

1. Have any courts determined that MAFIAAfire.com is unlawful or illegal in any way? If so, on what basis? (Please provide any relevant rulings)


Read more: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110505/14444714170/homeland-security-demands-mozilla-remove-firefox-extension-that-redirects-seized-domains.shtml

you have no control outside of the USA.

I love them!

the IBM Selectric typewriters and we can all use snailmail and write letters to each other. Welcome to the 21st century, American style.

Thanks to BushCo. we're stuck with this massive organization.

...that name creeps me out...sounds very "nazi-ish".

all of the majorities what they will do with it ...

just give it time to blossom.

necessary to maintain the status quo for the cornered wealth by a few percent in this country, and all I get is this Stupid look. I might as well just go talk to brick walls.

I think a tsunami is coming, but people just want to bury their heads in the sand or up their ass. I just don't get WTF ails so many in this nation that just insist in having blinders on to everything.

It just does not take much effort to wake up and smell the coffee, but soooo many are just soooo dumbed down and frankly absolutely Stupid.

if a site has been seized it will redirect to the same site different domain if there is such a site.

Not sure I'll ever have any use for it but it tickles me to know that it pisses DHS off.

Just went there and searched for it and got zero results???

went there and got it, if shrubs secret police don't like it I love it, may never even have any use for it but F em!

I had to download it. I have no idea why ICE would even be concerned with seizing domains and I doubt that I'll ever use it, but I'm glad I have it now.

:yourock: Mozilla

Do I already have it built in? Sorry for asking but I'm not a computer geek savvy like most DU'ers.

I think you'd know if you did :) It is usually sites with pirated movies, tv shows, music etc. and sites that sell counterfeit goods (i.e. handbags, watches, etc.). The extension redirects a Firefox user to a working sites with the same content as the one taken down by ICE.

Also don't do porn sites, facebook or matchmaking sites.

I'm just a "puritan" ...:D So, hopefully they aren't coming after me...for posting here on DU where who knows what lurks in the hearts and clicks of evil, dark side DU'ers...

One of them was distributing music with the express permission of the publisher.

There's no trial, no serious effort at validating the MAFIAA corporation (the RIAA/MPAA cartel) claims of infringement.

The MAFIAA says take it down, the DHS dutifully obeys.

The administration doesn't believe in due process.

Doing the bidding of corporate masters is more important than our rights.

to be OTT..

unless your point was that both things are bad and that this is worse.

I'm not at all interested in any of that stuff.

Thanks for explaining.

I hear they have a great course in constitutional law.

....in plain English, explain to a big-dummy like me, what this means?

Thank you.

Just installed it.

So how does the add-on know where to redirect to? Is there a certain server it goes to to get that information? Because if there is, I'm thinking the feds can just knock that server off the air and presto.

I don't view pirated stuff. I have a niece in the music business, so I know how piracy is just killing jobs there. But I think this would be useful for stuff like getting to wikileaks, I assume.