Congress Eager to Ban Spyware

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Link to story: http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,115937,00.asp

Congress Eager to Ban Spyware

Tech firms, FTC urge restraint, but user complaints are spurring legislative action.

Emily Kumler, Medill News Service
Thursday, April 29, 2004

WASHINGTON -- The tech industry wants to let the market squash spyware, but Congress is getting impatient--and overrun with constituent complaints.

Spyware is technological trespassing, say several members of a House subcommittee eager to pass legislation banning downloads without a user's clear permission. Members of the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection subcommittee drilled witnesses Thursday about what they consider current ineffective attempts at protection.

"If someone walks into my house without my permission, I think we'd all agree that's trespassing," said Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas). "So why is it OK to come into my computer in my house without my permission?"

Restraint Urged

Witnesses from Microsoft, the Center for Democracy and Technology, Earthwatch, and the Federal Trade Commission argued that passing a law now would be too hasty. They contend that such a law would be too broad and deter distribution of software that consumers want...

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