We need you to ACT now to stop the E-Transactions law.

Dear Friend,
We need you to ACT now to stop the E-Transactions law.
Tomorrow, Parliament is scheduled to vote on a new E-Transactions law that
could have terrible implications for the Lebanese economy and for
professional and personal privacy. To date, private sector and civil
society have not been allowed to
comment<http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://blog.gabrieldeek.com/2010/06/new-gestapo-law-in-lebanon.html&usg=AFQjCNEW0HzuWIpweDxtvjm3wjFX_vtmbw>
on
the the law.
Among the articles of concern are:
   - Article 92, saying anyone providing online services must apply for a
   license. *Result: More paperwork, more bureaucracy, more delays, less
   revenue.*
   - Article 82, allowing for the warrantless search and seizure of
   financial, managerial, and electronic files, including hard drives,
   computers, etc. *Result: The government has pre-approval to seize your
   company and personal assets and information, without cause.*
   - Article 70, establishing the Electronic Signature & Services Authority,
   a new regulatory and licensing body with practically unchecked
powers. *Result:
   Another agency, who can make or break your organization at their whim.*
More on why you should stop the vote<http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.smex.org/2010/06/stop-the-vote/&usg=AFQjCNFLY2KyNou0e_rkwOwzwV_kI4rEzg&gt;
.
We may need some regulations on doing online business in Lebanon. But,
unless the key stakeholders can comment on the law, it will be one-sided,
flawed, and dangerous to the economic prospects of Lebanon and the privacy
of your daily life.
ACT NOW! Many deputies are rallying against this
law<http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://blog.gabrieldeek.com/2010/06/mps-are-rallying-protest-against.html&usg=AFQjCNFM7baMKf4OHLeGpG-300W2X7RWBw>
but
want to hear your voice. *A**sk your MP to postpone the vote on the
E-Transactions Law*, *pending a public review*.
Here are quick and easy ways you can help:
   - *Call your Member of Parliament* and urge them to postpone the vote,
   pending a public review period.
   - Forward this message to your colleagues, family, and friends—anyone who
   uses the Internet will be affected!
   - Post on the Facebook Pages of your MP, calling on them to postpone the
   vote, pending a public review period.
   - Join the Stop This Law Facebook Page<http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://www.facebook.com/stopthislaw&usg=AFQjCNE5_Tpsg_-1C51cpVA2ZEin5dXsPg>
   .
   - If you're a journalist or blogger, consider writing a short post
   highlighting the potential pitfalls of the law.
Sincerely,
Desiree Chbeir