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

Be afraid...

[IamGarageGuy 2]

be very afraid

So Linux and OS X will be defined as spyware?

[fdrebin]

Wouldn't suprise me none...

/F

Big Brother, nothing we can do?

[Komarechka]

When then pen it into law that companies can look inside of out machine to "fix" problems, does that mean it is illegal to prevent them from doing so?

Re:Big Brother, nothing we can do?

[TomTraynor]

Unless it is written into the law that you cannot prevent them from going in then it is allowed. Hopefully someone will get the lawmakers a clue bat and let them know that a third party has complete access to all of the lawmakers private and confidential information on their computers. The third party won't even need to be security cleared, that third party can grab anything and do anything without letting the person know.

Just great.

[Rob T Firefly]

In other news, Charles Manson has produced a flawless plan for the public to avoid being murdered by crazed serial killers, relying heavily on letting him murder you before any "really bad people" can.

Will Tuttle have any input?

[Snap E Tom]

Heh. Because if they do, I'll bet Apache and CentOS gets listed as spyware.

clause for defective OS liability?

[potus98]

Perhaps the Act should be expanded to include liability for companies that offer operating systems with poorly designed security that permit (some of) such problems in the first place. Sure, users are responsable when they flip their car off the road, but auto-makers are still liable when they manufacture a vehicle with inherintly weak suspension arms.