Spyware bugs US Senators

spy1 · Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2004 1:09 pm Post subject: Spyware bugs US Senators

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=14482

"New law seeks to take the spooks out of the machine

By INQUIRER staff: Wednesday 03 March 2004, 09:52
THREE US senators are sponsoring a law that aims at blocking spyware.

The Spyblock Act will make it illegal to install software on people's computers without their consent.

Companies that offer software downloads will have to tell users what the programs do and what information they collect. Internet ads generated by the software will have to be clearly labelled.

Senator Ron Wyden told the Washington Post he thought spyware a parasite and said that online users needed to be protected.

It is not the first time that US lawmakers have had a crack at dealing with spyware. Four years ago, democratic presidential failure John Edwards had an unsuccessful go at getting a law through.

But industry observers say the problem is becoming more widespread and this time it might work. However the new law is unlikely to be able to do anything more than curb its worst accesses.

Programs that exploit computer security flaws to hijack Internet connections or install "dialler programs" that force the computer to call expensive online porn lines would go under the new law. Also likely for the chop are spyware programmes that are disguised as anti-spyware.

This follows the FTC action against D Squared Solutions which extorting computer users by inundating them with pop-up ads to promote software that purportedly blocked the exact kinds of ads it was sending. The ads were funnelled through a security hole in Microsoft Windows PCs that has since been patched."

I think we can all get behind this one and support it when it comes out, don't you? Pete

xcrunner · 1st Responder Joined: Mar 04, 2004 Posts: 523

I agree with the law but it would be hard to enforce. Most of the software put on your computer w/o your consent is usually downloaded from third world countrys where the gov't can't control much of the crime. The law is a good idea but you can't persecute the person installing the spyware if he's from another country.


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