RSSSenate to Decide on Anti-Spyware Bill
By Nate Mook | Published September 22, 2004, 6:36 PM
Anti-spyware legislation that prohibits companies from installing software on a computer without user consent has been approved by the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee. Dubbed the Spy Block Act, the bill now moves to the full Senate where it will likely be voted on before the end of the year. The Spy Block Act requires software to provide an uninstall option, as well as outlaws any software that transmits user information without explicit approval.
Have a look see: http://www.tomshardware....ws/20041006_104513.html
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|They had better clearly define what an uninstaller should do because often the uninstall option doesn't remove everything.
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|Let's See:
-No real choice to user on whether software is installed.
-No uninstall option.
-Transmits user information.
By the short definition above, Windows XP would be deemed spyware (and therefore illegal).
But seriously, I don't see how this is going to do any good. (For example: there are already anti-spam laws in place, and, if anything, I've only seen a steady increase in spam.) By the way, most spyware IS legally installed and the user DOES (without knowledge) give explicit consent when clicking "I Agree" on the EULA.
I think a much more appropriate law would be to enforce shortening of the EULA included with software so that users actually WOULD read the "fine print" and know what they are agreeing to.
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|Unless this is something different, last I heard they were also trying to sneak something else into this Bill that will anger many people. It has to do with copyrights and trying to outlaw peer to peer networks (despite the fact that Judges have already ruled them as legal)
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|Only thing this bill will do is cause a false sense of security. It bans a certain type of spyware, it doesn't actually make it illegal for spyware to install in the first place.
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|how does thist actually stop other groups from other companies from installing spyware on your computer?
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|It doesn't--but what else can we do? This issue is the reason the internet is so hard to regulate--it's world-wide, so unless every single country bans it or the U.N. makes the regulation (lol), people will continue to have their servers in countries that do not have strict internet regulation laws.
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|Well I don't think it will stop the traces of the spyware from being uninstalled. I have deemed spyware in the same class as Viruses. they are all an nucense
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|its a start, but there are just so many ways around "getting consent" from users to install spyware on the computer. i mean, essentially, you are "giving consent" when you allow cookies to be stored on your computer or you click "next" without reading the 30 page terms of agreement.
but hey, at least big brother is trying :)
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|Praise the Lord!
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|Just think of how many companies and spyware creators are actually 'spying' on members of the senate and congress......don't you think their personal computers get loaded with spyware just as much as ours?
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