US House passes anti-spyware bill
p2pnet.net news:- One of the principal claims to fame of Sharman Networks’ Kazaa p2p file sharing application, currently on a list of people and entities named in a new lawsuit, is that it was largely responsible for originally introducing spyware to the net.
Spyware, malware, adware and other Net nasties now cause surfers and computer users a huge amount of trouble, also draining resources and costing billions of dollars as people and companies search constantly to find new ways of defeating them.
The US House of Representatives has past the Internet Spyware Prevention Act, or I-Spy, which would, “impose specific penalties for the fraudulent use of spyware,” says Reuters.
But it would impose no new requirements on software makers.
“House lawmakers approved a bill providing for up to five years in jail for those who use spyware to commit fraud but stops short of regulatory requirements sought by some lawmakers,” says the story, continuing:
“Spyware has emerged as a major headache for computer users. It can end up on users’ computers through a virus or through downloaded games or other free programs off the Internet. Spyware can sap computing power, crash machines and bury users under a blizzard of unwanted ads. Scam artists can use spyware to capture passwords, account numbers and other sensitive personal data.”
However, ” Even though the House approved some kind of antispyware legislation in 2004 and 2005, the Senate never acted,” says CNET News. “It’s not an uncommon fate for legislation passed by the lower chamber, and it could happen again.
“Also, if the House leadership eventually permits a vote on the more regulatory alternative, called the Spy Act, the software industry would face a renewed threat. The Spy Act was approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee on May 10. ”
Industry representatives, “have said those regulations could threaten Web sites that rely on cookies and other commonly used techniques to target ads and to provide free content to their users,” says the story.
I-Spy, supported by the software industry, doesn’t include provisions in the Spy Act which would, “require software distributors and advertisers to clearly notify and obtain consent from consumers before programs can be loaded onto a computer,” says Reuters.
Also See:
new lawsuit – StreamCast sues Joost, May 23, 2007
Reuters – U.S. House approves less stringent anti-spyware bill, May 22, 2007
CNET News – House passes more tech-friendly antispyware bill, May 22, 2007
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Tired of being treated like a criminal? They depend on you, not the other way around. Don’t buy their ‘product’. Do bug your local politicians. Use emails, snail-mail, phone calls, faxes, IM, stop them in the street, blog. And if you’re into organizing, organize petitions, organize demonstrations and then turn up on your local political rep’s doorstep, making sure you’ve contacted your local tv/radio station/newspaper in advance. Don’t just complain. Do something!
May 23rd, 2007 at 4:46 pm
“impose specific penalties for the fraudulent use of spyware,”
Uncle Sam wishes to retain the right to legally use spyware ‘non-fraudulently’, in the interest of national security…
May 23rd, 2007 at 7:43 pm
No no no, it’s not for national security, it’s for job security. For the politicians and the bureaucrats of course.