Microsoft Helps Write Oklahoma's Anti-Spyware Law

groovy.ambuj writes "The Inquirer reports that Microsoft has developed Oklahoma's 'Computer Spyware protection Act'. The law will supposedly protect people from unwarranted hackers or virus attacks and can fine individuals up to $1M who are found guilty of breaking into a computer without the owners knowledge. At the same time, it also allows some of the better known capable companies to 'look' into your computer for possible virus/spyware and fix the problem without informing you. And, while these friends are doing their job, they can also take the moment to do other things. "

Comments

Who mod'ed that "troll"?

[khasim]

From TFA:

Now because Microsoft knows that it sometimes need to get information from their users for upgrades, it has put in a clause to allow software companies to do this. Basically the Vole law demands that a software company licence agreement tells you the sort of data they are taking.

The problem is that if you agree, you give the company you bought upgradable software the freedom to come onto your computer for "detection or prevention of the unauthorized use of or fraudulent or other illegal activities in connection with a network, service, or computer software, including scanning for and removing computer software prescribed under this act."

In other words if you install Vista, Microsoft can come in, snoop around your computer see if you are doing anything illegal and delete it.

That certainly sounds like people should be opposed to this "law".

Re:Who mod'ed that "troll"?

[johndiii]

One would think that people would oppose it (text of the bill (RTF document)). But... It has passed, or is under consideration, in other states. Microsoft is not the sole originator, but a group called the American Legislative Exchange Council. It supposedly "...advances the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism and individual liberty...", but actually seems more interested in making corporate policy into state law.

The Microsoft campaign contributions mentioned in the article (a slightly more readable version) are also worth noting.

Re:Who mod'ed that "troll"?

[gurumeditationerror]

That's scarey, not only will Microsoft be able to snoop inside my computer and install stuff, but those who always hack Microsoft programs will be able to do the same.

Simple solution: Don't use Microsoft software.

Plus how will Microsoft know whats good for my computer.

Knowing what is good for your computer is not so much the concern but MS deciding what's good for your computer is.
Again: Don't use Microsoft software.

I'm running a certain version of Adobe Premiere on my Win2K machine. It runs fine as long as I keep it on SP2. If I upgrade the service pack, I unleash a whole new set of bugs that cause Premiere to act the fool. What if Microsoft decides it's about time I upgraded to SP4 and they screw up my stuff?

Simple solution: Don't use Microsoft software.

The FULL article by Ben Fenwick is here.

[enforcer999]

http://www.altweeklies.com/gyrobase/AltWeeklies/St ory?oid=oid%3A160151

Big Brother is watching.......and Big uncle-in-law

[Drinkgreen]

For those of you unaware, Oklahomans are allowed to look at "special" pornography. "Special", meaning no penetration or ejaculation in our magazines, skin-a-max, or anything. Its hard as hell to find a total nude strip club in this state. Neighboring states already know this, such as Texas. When you travel south from Oklahoma, into Texas, the first thing you see (even before the "Welcome To Texas" sign) is a little building with a giant XXX sign. We Oklahoman's know when we've left the state, because all the porno shops appear.

I'm glad about this spyware law, but I think its just more about getting to see what's on user's computers , legally. The Anti-Spyware law is just a front. Oklahoma has been wanting to be able to monitor people for a long time. Which I understand on one hand, but also kind of sucks. I mean, our porn sucks anyway, but now we have to worry about someone watching us visit "non-Oklahoma" approved sites.

Meh...

[duffstone]

Not everyone in Oklahoma is a retard... Unfortunately the majority rules. :-\

Hell, I'd bet that half of our politicians would pay handily to work with a corporation such as Microsoft just so they can get a nice little blurb in a national paper that they can give their grandkids... Life in rural America is uneventful at best. Something like this is what makes people feel important. Even if they don't see the greater evil in their actions... You can't blame them; they simply don't know any better...

-Duff

P.S. I've lived in Oklahoma my whole life so I can criticize all I want.

Re:Unusual punishment?

[PurPaBOO]

It's $1,000 minum per violation, up to a maximum of $1,000,000.

From the bill at: http://tinyurl.com/elycc

The Attorney General for the State of Oklahoma, an Internet service provider or software company that expends resources in good faith assisting authorized users harmed by a violation of the Computer Spyware Protection Act, or a trademark owner whose mark is used to deceive authorized users in violation of this act, may bring a civil action against a person who violates any provision of this act to recover actual damages, liquidated damages of at least One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per violation of the act, not to exceed One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) for a pattern or practice of such violations, attorney fees, and costs.