THREE US senators are sponsoring a law that aims at blocking spyware. The Spyblock Act will make it illegal to install software on people's computers without their consent. Companies that offer software downloads will have to tell users what the programs do and what information they collect. Internet ads generated by the software will have to be clearly labelled.
Senator Ron Wyden told the Washington Post he thought spyware a parasite and said that online users needed to be protected. It is not the first time that US lawmakers have had a crack at dealing with spyware. Four years ago, democratic presidential failure John Edwards had an unsuccessful go at getting a law through. But industry observers say the problem is becoming more widespread and this time it might work. However the new law is unlikely to be able to do anything more than curb its worst accesses.
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News source: The Inq
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