Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

House Passes Spyware Bills

Posted by samzenpus on from the listen-to-the-law dept.

stinerman writes "Today the house passed two bills aimed at stopping spyware / adware and unauthorized use of computers. H.R. 29 makes it 'unlawful for any person who is not the owner or authorized user of a protected computer to engage in deceptive acts or practices'. H.R. 744 (I-SPY Act) prohibits accessing a protected system via code copied on to the system to, among other things, disseminate personal information. Both bills sailed through the house and are expected to be passed by the Senate."

6 of 226 comments (clear)

  1. Phew! by CommunistTroll · · Score: 5, Funny
    I was beginning to be worried about spyware, but now that Congress has stepped up to the plate all my worries are over!

    There'll be no more spyware by Christmas, let me tell you.

  2. One more law by Actuator+Man · · Score: 3, Funny

    What we really need is a law to prevent idiots from using a computer... (or driving a car, buying a gun, voting)

  3. Re:Unintended consquences by surprise_audit · · Score: 4, Funny
    I'd imagine there'll be something like a disclaimer appearing at the bottom of certain web pages. It'll say something like:
    By displaying this page you agree to the following statement: I love spyware, load me up!!
    in a very small font.
  4. Great! by rogerzilla · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's hope it's as successful as the YOU-CAN-SPAM Act. That really showed those Nigerians and Chinese (not to mention the big American spammers) who was boss, didn't it?

  5. I-SPY and other such acts by potpie · · Score: 4, Funny

    Anyone else notice that politicians these days always make their acts spell out cute little words or phrases with their acronyms (PATRIOT, I-SPY, etc.)?

    Well I'm going to become a politician and write up the OMGWTFBBQ act.

    --
    Esoteric reference.
  6. MS Home sales pitch by Aumaden · · Score: 3, Funny
    Let's drop in on an MS House sale in progress:
    Luser: Hey, what's this hole in the side of my house?

    MS: That's our new invention! We call it a "door way". It lets you enter and leave your house!

    Luser: And lets anyone walk right in and nick my telly!

    MS: (smiling) Not to fear! We care about your security! That's why we offer MS House Professional! When you upgrade to MS House Pro, you get a device that closes the hol..., er, "door way", and protects your stuff! We call it... the "Door"! Juse close the "Door" and your MS House Pro is safe and secure!

    Luser: That sounds all well and good, but what happens if someone walks up and opens my "Door"?

    MS: <blink><blink>