Many of the Internet's biggest and most influential sites have replaced access to their content with dark backgrounds and a call to action against the Stop Online Piracy Act, legislation that creates a channel for copyright holders to quickly compel Internet infrastructure and search providers to shun foreign websites accused of widespread copyright infringement. From Wikipedia to Reddit — which promised to black out its site beginning at 8 a.m. Eastern Standard Time Jan. 18 — to BoingBoing, this is an unprecedented level of action by Internet companies. Read why techPresident also opposes SOPA and its companion Senate legislation and check back for more updates about action around SOPA throughout the day. Read More

President Vladimir Putin launched his reelection website yesterday and encouraged Russians to submit suggestions. The site soon was overrun by a barrage of negative comments, before those in turn were lost in a flood of positive comments from Putin supporters, the New York Times reported.

That and more in today's First POST, a comprehensive look at news about technology in politics from around the web.

Mitt Romney's canine problem, the DHS reading your tweets, the State Department's online outreach and more in today's First POST. Read More

Google's new election portal gives a bird's-eye view of the Iowa ground game on the day of the Republican caucuses there. As Iowans convene tonight to pick their choice of presidential nominee, here's a look at where the Internet is playing a part. Update 8:44 p.m.: CNN's Election Center page is carrying entrance polls headed into the caucuses, and Politico is streaming its "results show" live online. Read More