‘Spyware’ Bill Wins Panel’s Approval
CQ Today. 05/02/07
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill today that would make it a crime to install malicious “spyware” software on someone’s computer. The bill (HR 1525) — approved by voice vote with little discussion — is targeted at software that aids in fraudulent activities, damages a computer or alters its security settings. Bill sponsor Robert W. Goodlatte, R-Va., said the legislation would punish computer criminals without overregulating industry or stifling innovation. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., is the lead sponsor. The measure is almost identical to those that passed the House overwhelmingly in the past two Congresses but did not see action in the Senate, Goodlatte said. Some, particularly online advertisers, say portions of the bill could prohibit legitimate information-gathering, such as the use of “cookies.” Cookies are used to track user preferences or other information that needs to be saved, such as items in an electronic shopping cart. According to the National CyberSecurity Alliance, about 90 percent of Americans have some sort of spyware on their computers. Lofgren has said attempts to block or remove spyware cost the economy $2.6 billion annually. Spyware programs, which are usually installed from the Internet, surreptitiously access a computer’s hard drive to collect personal data for third parties.
Source: CQ Today Midday Update. Political Clippings compiled from BNN Frontrunner and CQ Politics.com.
© 2007 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Retrieved May 3, 2007 from http://public.cq.com/docs/cqm/cqmidday110-000002502785.html
The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill today that would make it a crime to install malicious “spyware” software on someone’s computer. The bill (HR 1525) — approved by voice vote with little discussion — is targeted at software that aids in fraudulent activities, damages a computer or alters its security settings. Bill sponsor Robert W. Goodlatte, R-Va., said the legislation would punish computer criminals without overregulating industry or stifling innovation. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., is the lead sponsor. The measure is almost identical to those that passed the House overwhelmingly in the past two Congresses but did not see action in the Senate, Goodlatte said. Some, particularly online advertisers, say portions of the bill could prohibit legitimate information-gathering, such as the use of “cookies.” Cookies are used to track user preferences or other information that needs to be saved, such as items in an electronic shopping cart. According to the National CyberSecurity Alliance, about 90 percent of Americans have some sort of spyware on their computers. Lofgren has said attempts to block or remove spyware cost the economy $2.6 billion annually. Spyware programs, which are usually installed from the Internet, surreptitiously access a computer’s hard drive to collect personal data for third parties.
Source: CQ Today Midday Update. Political Clippings compiled from BNN Frontrunner and CQ Politics.com.
© 2007 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Retrieved May 3, 2007 from http://public.cq.com/docs/cqm/cqmidday110-000002502785.html