Donald Trump left a lot of people and businesses concerned about their future in the US when he came out the election triumphantly and it seems some are finally starting to act on these doubts.
The Internet Archive, which preserves digital records of billions of Web pages, has announced it intends to move its backup data to Canada, fearing potential changes in legislation from the Trump administration could put its archives at risk.
Founder Brewster Kahle explained the decision in more detail in a blog post, where he asked sympathetic users to donate funds to sponsor the data transfer which will likely “cost [the website] millions” to complete.
On November 9th in America, we woke up to a new administration promising radical change. For us, it means keeping our cultural materials safe, private and perpetually accessible. It means preparing for a Web that may face greater restrictions. It means serving patrons in a world in which government surveillance is not going away; indeed it looks like it will increase.
Among other things, the digital library also runs the popular Wayback Machine service, which lets you access cached websites even when the site itself no longer exist.
[The Internet Archive] keeps the Wayback Machine going, saving 350 million Web pages each week, so no one will ever be able to change the past just because there is no digital record of it. The Web needs a memory, the ability to look back.
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Given the uncertain future of online privacy and surveillance under the upcoming Trump administration, it is not surprising internet businesses are seeking safe haven in neighboring countries.
In fact, so many panicked American citizens flocked to Canada’s immigration portal in the immediate aftermath of the election that the website completely crashed.
You can support the Internet Archive and pledge a donation to the non-profit digital library here.
via The Verge
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