California Sets Fines for Spyware

aj50 writes "The BBC has the story that California is introducing new laws to help eradicate spyware. The bill bans the installation of software that can be used to take over another computer and allows customers to seek $1000 in damages if they've fallen victim to this kind of malicious software. Can this really help cut down spyware or will it just be another fatally flawed piece of legislation?"

Comments

Flawed

[teetam]

Trying to solve everything through legislation is a flawed (socialist) concept.

One good thing that came out of all the recent spyware is the emergence of firefox as a viable alternative to IE.

Similarly, if the holes in Windows continue to get exploited, maybe people will consider moving to better OSes.

Rather than forcing things using the iron hand of law, we should let the free market have its way.

In the end, the invisible hand is the most gentle and effective hand of all.