Anti-Spyware Bill Introduced - GoFuckYourself.com

Barefootsies · 06-15-2007, 01:46 PM

Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor wants to make it illegal for companies to install spyware on PCs without consent.

By K.C. Jones
InformationWeek
Jun 15, 2007 01:44 PM

Accusing the technology industry of failing to regulate itself, Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor introduced a bill on Thursday that would make it illegal for companies to install spyware on PCs without consent.

Pryor said that unwanted software hurts economic, security and privacy interests of businesses and consumers.

"The industry has failed in self-regulating," Pryor said in a prepared statement. "It's time to step in and enact serious consequences against those who use this invasive and deceptive practice."

The Southern Democrat is targeting spyware installed with other software, as well as so-called "drive-by downloads," in which a software is covertly installed when an Internet user clicks on a link.

Pryor pointed out that the unwanted software can be extremely difficult to remove. He cited an AOL study that concluded 80% of computers in a test group were infected and 89% of users were unaware that spyware had infected their machines. Pryor introduced the Counter Spy Act of 2007 after holding hearings on the issue. He said it would deter companies and fraudsters from embedding of spyware on users' computers without first obtaining their consent.

The bill would make installing spyware an unfair or deceptive practice. It covers hijacking, spam, denial of service, pop-ups, changing default home page and security settings, Web proxies and toolbar setups as well. Additionally, it would give the Federal Trade Commission enforcement power over violators, who could face civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

"Spyware is a serious infringement upon basic levels of privacy and security," Pryor said. "There are very few, if any, legitimate reasons for this practice to continue but countless reasons for it to be stopped, including identity theft and sluggish computer performance."

Similar measures have passed the House of Representatives. The Information Technology Association of America has opposed such legislation in the past but did not provide immediate comment on the latest attempt to pass federal laws to stop spyware.

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...ubSection=News

DaddyHalbucks · 06-15-2007, 01:53 PM

I hope they enforce it.

Tempest · 06-15-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

..... of service, pop-ups, changing ....

If they try and stop companies from using pop up, it's going to get a lot of a hell of a lot of companies in mainstream etc. against it...

Honestly.. I really hope there's never anything against pop ups.. Why?? Because everyone using them will just switch to those on page overlays which are far more irritating IMO.

LiveDose · 06-15-2007, 02:10 PM

Pop ups suck and are extremely annoying. But spyware, installs etc there is absolutely no excuse for it and should carry jail time for repeat offenders for destruction of personal property.

Rochard · 06-15-2007, 02:13 PM

About time.

u-Bob · 06-15-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LiveDose

spyware, installs etc there is absolutely no excuse for it and should carry jail time for repeat offenders for destruction of personal property.

D · 06-15-2007, 02:53 PM

Good News, imho.

NoWhErE · 06-15-2007, 02:53 PM

there goes Lars' business model

ProducerCashDave · 06-15-2007, 02:55 PM

Finally they start doing something about it

jact · 06-15-2007, 02:59 PM

If one of these passes, there's going to be some GFY users who take a real big hit in their business model.

About fucking time, let's hope it passes.

Jarmusch · 06-15-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest

If they try and stop companies from using pop up, it's going to get a lot of a hell of a lot of companies in mainstream etc. against it...

Maybe they mean popups intitiated by the spyware itself, and not by websites (like the Zango popups).

ztik · 06-15-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tempest

If they try and stop companies from using pop up, it's going to get a lot of a hell of a lot of companies in mainstream etc. against it...

Honestly.. I really hope there's never anything against pop ups.. Why?? Because everyone using them will just switch to those on page overlays which are far more irritating IMO.

They mean popups from a third party program. Most spyware software does this..

ztik · 06-15-2007, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarmusch

Maybe they mean popups intitiated by the spyware itself, and not by websites (like the Zango popups).

Yeah, just like that(from what I was just reading). But zango is consensual.

Barefootsies · 06-15-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoWhErE

there goes Lars' business model

tony286 · 06-15-2007, 03:28 PM

Time to call your local politco and tell them you support this bill.

Catalyst · 06-15-2007, 03:28 PM

do you think it will really be passed and signed in to law?

Aussie Rebel · 06-15-2007, 04:38 PM

About time, I hope this law comes in

GrouchyAdmin · 06-15-2007, 04:41 PM

Even if it's ratified, it'll do dick, and shit. Virtually none of the companies running such programs are actually in the United States.

...unless the US has usurped Europe..

just a punk · 06-15-2007, 05:07 PM

Merphi's law: good laws never pass

06-15-2007, 01:46 PM	#1
Barefootsies Choice is an Illusion Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Land of Obama Posts: 42,635	Anti-Spyware Bill Introduced Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor wants to make it illegal for companies to install spyware on PCs without consent. By K.C. Jones InformationWeek Jun 15, 2007 01:44 PM Accusing the technology industry of failing to regulate itself, Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor introduced a bill on Thursday that would make it illegal for companies to install spyware on PCs without consent. Pryor said that unwanted software hurts economic, security and privacy interests of businesses and consumers. "The industry has failed in self-regulating," Pryor said in a prepared statement. "It's time to step in and enact serious consequences against those who use this invasive and deceptive practice." The Southern Democrat is targeting spyware installed with other software, as well as so-called "drive-by downloads," in which a software is covertly installed when an Internet user clicks on a link. Pryor pointed out that the unwanted software can be extremely difficult to remove. He cited an AOL study that concluded 80% of computers in a test group were infected and 89% of users were unaware that spyware had infected their machines. Pryor introduced the Counter Spy Act of 2007 after holding hearings on the issue. He said it would deter companies and fraudsters from embedding of spyware on users' computers without first obtaining their consent. The bill would make installing spyware an unfair or deceptive practice. It covers hijacking, spam, denial of service, pop-ups, changing default home page and security settings, Web proxies and toolbar setups as well. Additionally, it would give the Federal Trade Commission enforcement power over violators, who could face civil or criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment. "Spyware is a serious infringement upon basic levels of privacy and security," Pryor said. "There are very few, if any, legitimate reasons for this practice to continue but countless reasons for it to be stopped, including identity theft and sluggish computer performance." Similar measures have passed the House of Representatives. The Information Technology Association of America has opposed such legislation in the past but did not provide immediate comment on the latest attempt to pass federal laws to stop spyware. http://www.informationweek.com/news/...ubSection=News __________________ Should You Email Your Members? Link1 \| Link2 \| Link3 Enough Said. "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

06-15-2007, 01:53 PM	#2
DaddyHalbucks A freakin' legend! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada USA Posts: 18,975	I hope they enforce it. __________________ Boner Money

06-15-2007, 02:10 PM	#4
LiveDose Show Yer Tits! Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Somewhere Out there... Posts: 25,792	Pop ups suck and are extremely annoying. But spyware, installs etc there is absolutely no excuse for it and should carry jail time for repeat offenders for destruction of personal property. __________________ Scammer Alert: acer19 acer [email protected] [email protected] Money stolen using PayPal

06-15-2007, 02:13 PM	#5
Rochard Jägermeister Test Pilot Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NORCAL Posts: 73,974	About time. __________________ “The choice is no longer between right or left. The choice is between normal and crazy.” - Sarah Huckabee Sanders YNOT MAIL \| THE BEST ADULT MAILING SOLUTION

06-15-2007, 02:53 PM	#7
D Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: The Valley Posts: 7,412	Good News, imho. __________________ -D. ICQ: 202-96-31

06-15-2007, 02:53 PM	#8
NoWhErE Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 10,382	there goes Lars' business model __________________ skype: lordofthecameltoe

06-15-2007, 02:55 PM	#9
ProducerCashDave Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In Your Brain Posts: 3,983	Finally they start doing something about it __________________ 15 Exclusive Sites By Top Brand Name Studios! $25 PPS \| 50% Revshare \| 5% Webmaster Referral David K. \| Account Manager \| www.ProducerCash.com ICQ: 480757149 \| david AT producercash DOT com TOLL FREE: 877-549-1112

06-15-2007, 02:59 PM	#10
jact Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Oakville, Canada Posts: 9,134	If one of these passes, there's going to be some GFY users who take a real big hit in their business model. About fucking time, let's hope it passes. __________________ Free agent

06-15-2007, 03:28 PM	#15
tony286 lurker Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: atlanta Posts: 57,021	Time to call your local politco and tell them you support this bill.

06-15-2007, 03:28 PM	#16
Catalyst Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Vegas Posts: 3,243	do you think it will really be passed and signed in to law?

06-15-2007, 04:38 PM	#17
Aussie Rebel Blow Me U Geeks Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Maximum Security Posts: 5,108	About time, I hope this law comes in

06-15-2007, 04:41 PM	#18
GrouchyAdmin Now choke yourself! Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 12,085	Even if it's ratified, it'll do dick, and shit. Virtually none of the companies running such programs are actually in the United States. ...unless the US has usurped Europe.. __________________ AIM: GrouchyGfy

06-15-2007, 05:07 PM	#19
just a punk So fuckin' bored Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 32,385	Merphi's law: good laws never pass __________________ Obey the Cowgod