# Spyware legislation

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 2, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739 "2005-01-02T20:54:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739/1 "2005-01-02T20:54:56Z")

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I’ve just read this [article](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4132143.stm) about a new law against spyware that came into effect on Jan. 1st in California. It said makers of programmes which secretly spy on what people do on their home computers could face hefty fines. Well I’m all in favour of that because for the life of me I can’t understand why unauthorised access to my personal computer can in any way be legal. Apparently other legislation is being discussed in Congress too.  
Also, 90% of computers according to a survey are infested with surreptitious software.  
What if any, justification is there for these companies/individuals to write this spyware and insert it into our computers when it can be used to pinch passwords, credit card numbers and other personal details. I get the impression that it hasn’t been against the law untill now, or am I wrong?

Knowing how many people visit a site and what they click on is one thing but then sneakily worming its way into my computer is another whole different ball game.

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**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739/2 "2005-01-02T22:30:38Z")

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I’m all for it. If one more person comes to me asking “what is this?” on their computer, I’m going to buy them a Mac.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739/3 "2005-01-02T22:34:27Z")

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> [@ParentalAdvisory](#):
>
> I’m going to buy them a Mac.

Can I get cheese on that?

And fries?

😃

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**Author:** ![vinniepaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b4bc9f/32.png) [@vinniepaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vinniepaz)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739/4 "2005-01-02T22:34:54Z")

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Well unless they enact these laws in Russia I don’t think it’ll make much difference.

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**Author:** ![fortytwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f9ae1b/32.png) [@fortytwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fortytwo)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2005, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spyware-legislation/282739/5 "2005-01-02T23:55:43Z")

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> [@vinniepaz](#):
>
> Well unless they enact these laws in Russia I don’t think it’ll make much difference.

I see your point, legislation would have to be world-wide. I don’t know if pressure could be brought to bear on countries not co-operating.