House Passes Bill Imposing Prison Time Over `Spyware'
WASHINGTON (AP)--The U.S. House on Thursday passed the second bill in three
days that would outlaw "spyware," irritating software that quietly monitors
the activities of Internet users.
It would add penalties of up to five years in prison for people convicted of
installing such programs without a computer user's permission.
The bill, known as the "Internet Spyware Prevention Act," passed 415-0. It
would give the Justice Department $10 million to crack down on companies and
others that secretly install spyware and those who attempt to trick victims
into disclosing personal details and financial information in e-mail scams
popularly known as "phishing."
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., said such problems were
growing and serious. Offenders under his bill would be sentenced for up to
five years for secretly installing spyware to break into someone's computer
and commiting another federal crime.
Anyone caught installing spyware to change a computer's security settings or
steal a victim's personal information - such as an e-mail address, telephone
number or bank account number - could be sentenced up to two years in prison.
Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said spyware was "quickly becoming one of the
biggest threats to consumers on the Internet." She cited estimates that up to
90% of computers contain some forms of spyware. Lofgren said her daughter was
recently victimized by electronic thieves in a phishing scam, persuading her
in a forged e-mail to disclose personal information.
"Her thumb hit the send button and she thought, 'Oh, my goodness, what have
I done!' We had to call and cancel all the credit cards and the like," Lofgren
said. "This is something that preys upon people."
The House on Tuesday voted 399-1 to pass the "Spy Act," sponsored by Rep.
Mary Bono, R-Calif., which would add hefty civil penalties over the use of
spyware.
Lawmakers were widely expected to combine both proposals for a final vote by
year's end.
The House bill passed Wednesday is H.R. 4661. The related bill approved
Tuesday is H.R. 2929.
AI
