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Inslee listens to a constituent.

Montage of Wing Point in Bainbridge Island and the Edmonds Ferry.

Jay Inslee: Washington's 1st Congressional District

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Protecting Your Privacy

Inslee Praises Passage of Anti-Spyware Legislation

23 May 2005

U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee said today that the House passage of two anti-spyware bills is a victory for consumers and technological innovators. The legislation included Inslee's suggestions for a "just-in-time" notice and consent, and a behavior-based approach to fighting the problem of spyware. The two bills - the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act (H.R. 29) and the Internet Spyware Prevention Act of 2005 (H.R. 744) - both overwhelmingly passed the House today.

Said Inslee, "Today's vote in Congress is a win-win situation for computer users and technology pioneers. Consumers deserve the confidence that they can safely navigate the Internet without the nuisance or threat of deceptive software being installed on their computers. The approach in these bills ensures that we are targeting the deceptive behavior and not restricting technological innovation. I applaud the Committee chairmen for advancing a practical policy for dealing with the spyware problem."

Spyware can impair consumers' experience, undermine privacy and threaten security when deceptive software is installed on their systems without their knowledge or consent. Last year, Inslee introduced spyware legislation, the Computer Software Privacy and Control Act (H.R. 4255). This legislation sought to target deceptive behavior, rather than specific technologies, which could stifle technological development and fail to capture an ever-changing technology. It also provided effective, logistically workable notice and consent consumer protections designed to allow for "just-in-time" consent, a substantial benefit for consumers and innovators. During the hearings on the current spyware bills in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Inslee successfully ensured that the bills maintained a policy similar to the approach outlined in his legislation.