The bill has been met with criticism from various organizations. The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) said it opposes legislation that would withhold federal technology funds from schools and libraries.
"This bill is so broad, it denies a significant portion of the Internet to children, seniors and poor Americans who depend upon their local libraries for access to the Web," said ITAA Vice President Mark Uncapher. "It's natural to want to protect our children, but there are much more precise instruments available to the Congress and state and local officials."
The American Library Association (ALA) also opposes the bill, saying that it "paints an unflattering and distorted view of the Internet as a whole." While testifying before the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Beth Yoke, executive director of Young Adult Library Services Association, stated that "youth librarians believe, and more importantly know from experience, that education about Internet practices -- for both youth and parents -- is the best way to protect young people." Yoke also suggests that the types of broad, technological controls required under the DOPA can be ineffective, and "often inadvertently obstruct access to beneficial sites."
