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View Full Version : OMG Washington out laws spyware!!!!!


zer0
18th May 2005, 06:02
if you read slash dot you probly read this and all i have to say is im prowd to live in washington and im prowd that if i voated i would have voated for her (our governer)

oday, the Governor of Washington signs a a bill outlawing spyware (http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Htm/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1012-S.PL.htm) (bill history (http://www.leg.wa.gov/wsladm/billinfo1/dspBillSummary.cfm?billnumber=1012&year=2005)) which imposes penalties of $100,000 per violation. Spyware is broadly defined. It includes everything from changing a browser's bookmarks or homepage settings, "Opening multiple, sequential, stand-alone advertisements in the owner or operator's internet browser", keystroke-logging, taking over control of the computer, modify its security settings, and even "Falsely representing that computer software has been disabled." But here is my favorite: "Prevent, through intentionally deceptive means, an owner or operator's reasonable efforts to block the installation or execution of, or to disable, computer software by causing the software that the owner or operator has properly removed or disabled automatically to reinstall or reactivate on the computer." Microsoft and Ebay both testified in support (http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Htm/Bill%20Reports/House/1012.HBR.htm) of the bill. On May 10th, a similar law banning Internet and email phishing (http://www.leg.wa.gov/pub/billinfo/2005-06/Htm/Bills/Session%20Law%202005/1888-S2.SL.htm) was also passed.

Starbuck3733T
18th May 2005, 12:52
woot! :D

fivecheebs
18th May 2005, 13:16
Im sceptical, to say the least, of how this will make any kind of difference. Who is this law designed to protect? Washington state residents? How could it be enforced? How does the law deal with offenders outside of Washington state, let alone the US? I havent read the links so maybe my questions get answered.

Maybe im beining cynical but it looks like a bit of a publicity excersise.

Arctirus
18th May 2005, 14:06
I'm with Cheebs. I think it's a wonderful idea but I can't recal any state laws governing internet communications that have actually stood up.

zer0
18th May 2005, 17:30
well there is 2 ways it could work. the first if it could protect internet users in washington by fining companys that install spyware on there computers (not very likely) and the second is any company or person or group that makes and distributes spyware with in washington will get the fine.

eather way it surves as a deturant.

Arctirus
18th May 2005, 18:24
well there is 2 ways it could work. the first if it could protect internet users in washington by fining companys that install spyware on there computers (not very likely) and the second is any company or person or group that makes and distributes spyware with in washington will get the fine.

eather way it surves as a deturant.
Theoretically the second should be true but states don't have the power to do that. Utah tried to filter out porn that way just a few months ago and I know PA did something as well last year. Both efforts failed.

jaguarking11
19th May 2005, 02:44
Theoretically the second should be true but states don't have the power to do that. Utah tried to filter out porn that way just a few months ago and I know PA did something as well last year. Both efforts failed.
Filtering out porn?

Madness I say. I enjoy my porn way too mutch.....LOL

Well this law is probly going to be aded to the endless list of laws that the governement cant enforce because the internet is uncontrolable. Kinda like the internet privacy act signed by President (I did not have sexual relations with that woman) Clinton.

Ah well.

Breach
19th May 2005, 06:15
I think they got it all wrong, they should target the people who actually click on the spam and buy things from it. No customers, no reason to spamhttp://wizdforums.co.uk/images/smilies/wink.gif

But at least federal and local governments are doing something at least, although it will probably prove ineffective.

Pug
19th May 2005, 10:05
Go Washington!
Hope more places can follow the lead. :mellow: