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| Wilson Backs Bill to Curb Spyware |
March 10, 2005 |
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Legislation Protects Consumer Privacy from “Spy” Technology
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson voted this week in the House Energy and Commerce Committee to curb computer spyware abuses, and the legislation now moves on for consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Congresswoman Wilson, a member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, continues to work to protect consumers and their right to have control of their personal computers. She led the fight against spam in the 108th Congress.
“Consumers are rightly concerned about spyware. It’s invasive, and there should be rules,” Wilson said. "This bill establishes some privacy safeguards.”
Known as the "Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act," or SPY ACT, the anti-spyware bill (H.R. 29) is sponsored by Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA) and is expected to be considered by the House of Representative this year for final passage.
The legislation requires that consumers receive a clear and conspicuous notice before downloading spyware, to protect people from downloading it unknowingly. The bill also limits unfair and deceptive practices such as key-stroke logging, computer high-jacking and displays of advertisements that cannot be closed.
The bill additionally prohibits against a practice known as "evil twin" attacks. That is when a computer hacker creates a false wireless access point. Once unsuspecting users connect with the hacker`s signal and computer, the hacker could gather personal information such as user passwords.
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