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Web businesses do not favor anti-spyware legislation

US House of Representatives on passes legislation designed to protect PC users from spyware despite internet-based businesses opposing the move.

Close on the heels of Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act, which the US House of Representatives passed last month, is the legislation designed to protect PC users from spyware. House members passed the Spy Act by a margin of 368-48.

The Spy Act calls for penalties for anyone who causes software to be installed on a PC without first clearly notifying and receiving the consent of the end user. It also proposes punishments for those who distribute software that tries to bypass a computer's security mechanisms, transmits personal information about the user without notification or is used to carry out a federal crime. Some internet-based businesses, however, are objecting saying the measure could interfere with many legitimate online activities including the use of cookies.

Instead, technology companies prefer the I-SPY Prevention Act, which takes a much narrower approach to combating the malware scourge. Lawmakers in the Senate have yet to take up either issue.

[ Via theregister ]