Bono Spyware Legislation to Protect Consumers Passes House with Bi-Partisan Support

Press Release

BONO SPYWARE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT CONSUMERS PASSES HOUSE WITH BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT

As spyware software continues to create serious issues for computer users across the nation, Congresswoman Mary Bono (CA-45), today applauds the passage of the Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act (SPY ACT), H.R. 964. The bill passed the House with a final vote of 368 to 48.

"I am grateful to Chairman John Dingell (MI-15) and ranking member Joe Barton (TX-6) for their unwavering support of the SPY ACT," expressed Bono. "Because of the Internet's role in interstate commerce, the need for federal spyware legislation is clear, depending on a patchwork of state laws is simply unworkable. The passage of the SPY ACT moves the American people one step closer to reclaiming control of their computers in their home and at their business.

"I want to also thank my colleague and partner in this effort, Congressman Edolphus Towns for his many contributions to this process. His support and effort has been great."

The legislation, which has seen strong bi-partisan support, passed overwhelmingly in the 108th and 109th Congress, but was not passed by the U.S. Senate. The SPY ACT was co-sponsored by then Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX), Congressman Edolphus Towns (D-NY), as well as many others.

Spyware software, which can be loaded onto users' PCs by a third party without their knowledge, can, in its extreme versions, enable third parties to track and gather data regarding the user's movements and keystrokes whenever online. This information can include credit card numbers, passwords and other personal information, which can then be sold for illegal purposes. Spyware can be found on any number of very popular Web sites, and users can even be infected and tracked by just visiting a site on which one of the advertisers uses spyware, according to Bono.

Within H.R. 964, specific provisions will prohibit the collection of personal information from a computer without notice and consent before the first execution of any information collection program. Additionally, the SPY ACT includes provisions to prohibit unfair or deceptive behavior such as key-stroke logging, computer hijacking, 'phishing', and the display of advertisements that cannot be closed.

"I will remain a strong proponent of anti-spyware legislation because I believe consumers should have the final say about what plants itself on their computer - not a third party with potentially conflicting interests," stated Bono. "I look forward to working with Congressman Towns and my colleagues in the Senate, to move this bill to the President's desk for signing into law."

Source