(Image Source: WhiteHouse.gov)

BY ALLIE SPILLYARDS

Internet privacy is up for debate, and now the White House has weighed in -- announcing Saturday it won’t support legislation that …

“ … reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet …”

CNET says the statement makes it clear that …

“[The] Administration recognizes the need for laws that fight online piracy but is wary of legislation that could lead to censorship, cybersecurity problems, a quashing of innovation, and other issues.”

But, is the White House speaking directly about the controversial Stop Online Piracy Act? Tech site Wired reports...

“The government is agreeing with experts who maintain that the SOPA and PIPA and the Senate’s Protect IP Act would break the internet’s universal character and hamper U.S. government-supported efforts to … prevent hackers from hijacking the net through fake DNS entries.”

But some say Saturday’s message doesn’t show clear opposition. According to Politico’s Jennifer Martinez and Mark Zapler...

“The White House said it opposes any bill that would make it easier for government to censor the Web or make the Internet less secure, but it stopped short of saying whether that includes [the] two bills. If [this] sounds like a careful effort to walk a thin line, it is: Some of the president's biggest supporters in Hollywood and Silicon Valley and beyond are sharply divided over the bills, and the White House needs a way to keep both sides happy.”

Indeed, Internet giants Google, Facebook, and Reddit have expressed their concerns. On the other hand, Hollywood insiders Time Warner Corporation and Walt Disney are among several big names to support the act. CNN’s Erin Burnett reports -- Congress is split on the issue as well.

“... Michelle Bachmann on board, Ron Paul, Nancy Pelosi... Ron Paul and Nancy Pelosi are on the same side of an issue? I hope a super PAC somewhere’s watching. Pelosi even tweeted quote, “Need to find a better solution than SOPA. Don’t break the Internet.”

Either way, the White House weighing in is big. According to Bloomberg...

“The statement marks the administration’s most significant foray into a fight between content creators and Internet companies that has been playing out in Congress.”

The Senate is scheduled to hold a procedural vote Jan. 24 to start debate on its anti-piracy bill -- PIPA.