US Anti-Spyware bill approved
A revised anti-spyware bill was approved by a committee in the US House of Representatives.
A revised anti-spyware bill was approved by a committee in the US House of Representatives.
The 'Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act' (HR29) requires spyware programs to be both easy to identify and easy to remove, and restricts the collection of personal information to instances when express permission has been given by users. In addition, the penalties for those who violate the regulations have been stepped up, with the introduction of fines upto $3 million per violation.
An amendment to the bill exempts cookies from the definition of spyware that is covered by the bill, as well as exempting embedded ads on web pages from the requirement that online ads include identifying information so users can find and remove the software causing them. Revised wording in the bill clarifies that companies will be allowed to monitor visitor activity on their own websites, and direct advertising of their own products (only) based on the monitoring.
The bill received unanimous approval from the Commerce Committee and is hoped to pass the full congress this year.
17 March 2005
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