Congress Doing Something Good? No Way WTHbbq!?!?
DOOManiac
Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Anti-Spyware law</div><a href='http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,63983,00.html?tw=wn_tophead_5' target='_blank'>Clickity</a>.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives moved closer on Thursday to passing a law that would ban companies from installing spyware without getting computer users' permission.
In an often contentious proceeding, the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday approved HR2929, the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass, or Spy Act, bill by a 45-4 margin.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono (R-California), aims to prevent spyware purveyors from hijacking a homepage or tracking users' keystrokes. It also requires that spyware programs be easily identifiable and removable. The programs would be able to collect personal information only with permission from the user. It also would increase fines against abusers.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
But apparently its not all fun and games in some people's eyes:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Some businesses are worried the legislation could outlaw legitimate software approved by users, or result in endless dialog boxes or warning messages in a bid to get users' permissions.
Thursday's newly amended version contained several industry-friendly changes, including exemptions for network security-monitoring programs. It also included a clarification that "notice and consent" forms need only appear once.
But Robert Hollyman, president and CEO of the Business Software Alliance, said even the amended bill would "create substantial consumer confusion and impose considerable burdens on technology companies." He said the one-screen requirement for notices won't help users distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate software, and "will become just another screen to click 'I agree.'" <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, something is better than nothing. Too bad they're gonna find out that the same kind of people who write viruses write spyware (only backed by corporations who we all know are above the law and thus not affected).
I for one doubt this will change anything. The bigger spyware programs like Gator already fall in compliance w/ the law due to it having the EULA you have to agree to. And the smaller ones that auto install popups and etc are usually bundled with already illegal viruses...
What do you guys think?
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives moved closer on Thursday to passing a law that would ban companies from installing spyware without getting computer users' permission.
In an often contentious proceeding, the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday approved HR2929, the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass, or Spy Act, bill by a 45-4 margin.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Bono (R-California), aims to prevent spyware purveyors from hijacking a homepage or tracking users' keystrokes. It also requires that spyware programs be easily identifiable and removable. The programs would be able to collect personal information only with permission from the user. It also would increase fines against abusers.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
But apparently its not all fun and games in some people's eyes:
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Some businesses are worried the legislation could outlaw legitimate software approved by users, or result in endless dialog boxes or warning messages in a bid to get users' permissions.
Thursday's newly amended version contained several industry-friendly changes, including exemptions for network security-monitoring programs. It also included a clarification that "notice and consent" forms need only appear once.
But Robert Hollyman, president and CEO of the Business Software Alliance, said even the amended bill would "create substantial consumer confusion and impose considerable burdens on technology companies." He said the one-screen requirement for notices won't help users distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate software, and "will become just another screen to click 'I agree.'" <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Well, something is better than nothing. Too bad they're gonna find out that the same kind of people who write viruses write spyware (only backed by corporations who we all know are above the law and thus not affected).
I for one doubt this will change anything. The bigger spyware programs like Gator already fall in compliance w/ the law due to it having the EULA you have to agree to. And the smaller ones that auto install popups and etc are usually bundled with already illegal viruses...
What do you guys think?
Comments
AKA: the "we'll lose money" statement.
Damn idiot developers putting spyware into their programs... I mean, it's called <i><b>SPYWARE</b></i> for cristsakes... even if you talked to a idiot in computer terms, he'd know it can't be a good thing all the time. <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
And just how long did we have to wait for this? <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> Useless Congress...
It's good in making sure no one is looking at porno at work, but beyond that it's ABSOLUTELY USELESS. I classify Spyware as a "Trojan", IMO, because it secretly gives out information to someone i know nothing about without my permission.
If it means no more Gator popups saying "download me" im all for it.
Your avergae user wold tend to skip disclaimers and EULA (something which I will admit guilty to) and install whatever is in there.
Now, if the EULA states that they have to install X software, and they just click next anyway without reading it, then complain about spyware, then it will be blamed on the consumer for 'ignorance'.
So either way, it's not gonna change much as long as they add that to their EULA <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->