House OKs Bill Imposing 'Spyware' Fines

[Khephra]

WASHINGTON -- Companies and others that secretly install "spyware" programs on people's computers to quietly monitor their Internet activities would face hefty federal fines under a bill the House passed Tuesday.

The most egregious behaviors ascribed to the category of such software -- secretly recording a person's computer keystrokes or mouse clicks -- are already illegal under U.S. wiretap and consumer protection laws.

The House proposal, known as the "Spy Act," adds civil penalties over what has emerged as an extraordinary frustration for Internet users, whose infected computers often turn sluggish and perform unexpectedly.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif., provides guidelines for technology companies that distribute software capable of most types of electronic monitoring. It requires that consumers explicitly choose to install such software and agree to the information being collected.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-internet-spyware,0,6554174.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[Sannum]

1. THANK GOD!

Manual labor would be an appropriate punishment for these people IMO.

Oh dear, a bill sponsored by a republican that I agree with...yikes

[coloradodem2005]

2. I can only hope this makes a difference.

These people should be penalized.

[Aidoneus]

3. including the gov't?

Somehow I think they've got an exemption on this..

[California Griz]

4. Lame

law they should just make it illegal peroid. Why should we have to look up the fine print.

[depakid]

5. Some things piss everyone off....

Pub's don't want their grazing habits exposed anymore than the rest of us do! Nighty night Alexa. Watch your ass, real player.

[sandnsea]

6. Another note about Spyware

Spyware, and other programs people download, slap their ads over top of site owner ads so if you've got this crap on your computer and you click an ad to buy something, your money goes to the Spyware people instead of the site owner. I hate that part of the whole thing too and people know alot less about this little trick than about being tracked in general. It's outrageous and I don't know how they get away with it.

[crossroads]

7. Thanks for the heads up!

:dem:

[nolabels]

8. My guess, bait and switch

When it gets to senate they will do a 180 with it so corporations can screw consumers even more.

The saying goes, 'Nobody's life liberty or pursuit of happiness is safe when the legislature in session' :scared:

[nolabels]

9. In the article there is this

They voted The bill to pass 415-0, known as the "Internet Spyware Prevention Act"

This is what got me thinking

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said spyware was "quickly becoming one of the biggest threats to consumers on the Internet." She cited estimates that up to 90 percent of computers contain some forms of spyware. Lofgren said her daughter was recently victimized by electronic thieves in a phishing scam, persuading her in a forged e-mail to disclose personal information.

"Her thumb hit the send button and she thought, 'Oh, my goodness, what have I done!' We had to call and cancel all the credit cards and the like," Lofgren said. "This is something that preys upon people."

Just imagine how congress would act if they all had kids in the military stationed in Iraq getting shot up for sake of bushco lies.

All you really need to do is be carefull, we don't need no more stinking laws, just the ones we have inforced properly, which means getting rid or firing AshKkkroft

Anti-Spyware Guide

-- On this page, we offer links to articles, reviews, vendors and resources to help you fight spyware.

Important TIPs: Before downloading and installing any anti-spyware product, we recommend that you check the product at Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites , Eric Howes, Spyware Warrior. Unfortunately, there are many more fake anti-spyware products that are scams than there are real ones. Since several of the best products are free (see below), don't fall for a fake one.
(snip)
http://www.firewallguide.com/spyware.htm