Spyware bill passes US House

Lincoln Russell 6 Oct, 2004 at 1:56pm ET Article published in Tech

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that would strangle spyware. They hope to have a Senate version presented today, and to have it signed into law by the end of the year.

It aims to prevent spyware purveyors from hijacking a homepage or tracking users’ keystrokes. It also requires that spyware programs be easily identifiable and removable and allows for the collection of personal information only after express consent from users. The bill exponentially increases fines against abusers as well.

DO IT FASTER!! 😀

Source: Wired

Comments

6 Oct 2004 ~ 1:59pm QCH Sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 Oct 2004 ~ 1:59pm primesuspect Last I heard, spam and telemarketing phone calls were illegal too
6 Oct 2004 ~ 2:05pm Cyclonite Yeah, this is cool, but will it really help? I'm doubtful... :/
6 Oct 2004 ~ 3:19pm MountainDew This surely isnt going to stop spyware altogether, but its a large step in the right direction. its about darn time.
6 Oct 2004 ~ 3:25pm Dexter A good chunk of this problem already lays offshore, safely out of reach of whatever the US House or Representatives pronounces. This will just move the rest of it off-shore as well.

Dexter...
7 Oct 2004 ~ 12:13am Linc Defining its illegality, as MtDew said, is the step that had to happen first. We track virus creators across borders - hopefully the days for these bastards are numbered as well now.

Prime, telemarketing is illegal if you get yourself on the 'do not call' list. Its legality has been challenged and I'm not sure of its current status. Spam legislation seems to have loopholes, but I've noticed that most all my 'explicit-content' spam is now clearly labelled as such per a law that was created not too long ago...
8 Oct 2004 ~ 2:40pm Zero1 Unless the government is gonna have spam busters 24/7 this won't do much good. :bawling: :bawling: