Slashdot Mirror
FTC Officials Wary of Spyware Measures
Nofsck Ingcloo writes "News.com is reporting thusly:
'Two Federal Trade Commission officials ignited a political firestorm on Thursday by criticizing proposed laws targeting spyware and suggesting that the measures might harm legitimate software products, too.' During an appearance before a House of Representatives panel, FTC Commissioner Mozelle Thompson said the measures were the wrong approach to spyware and adware. Basically he is advocating a 'don't throw the baby out with the bath water' approach."
Self-regulation combined with enforcement of existing laws might be the best way to go
Why can't we get this in other markets? Oh wait, seeing penis enlargement, weight loss, and xanax ads doesn't make kids want to curse or kill people, just enlarge their penii, go on worthless diets, and start popping pills. That's the American way!
You people should be ashamed of yourselves. These people have the right to make money like everyone else!
Nobody is forcing people to install this software; people agree to install it themselves. How are you going to make that illegal without having far-reaching effects?
This is a slippery slope, people. You can make something illegal just because you don't like the idea of it. If people are installing this at-will, then there is nothing morally or ethically worng with it.
The only 'spyware' that is problematic is the kind that installs itself by exploiting software bugs in browsers, and that is already illegal: it's called a virus.
The only thing outlawing spyware will do is effect honest software developers in the US while moving the spyware offshore. At best, the situation just moves into a jurisdiction where it can't be controlled. At worst, we lose American jobs and American money once again is leaving the country.