AllExperts > Internet for Beginners 
Search      
Internet for Beginners
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Internet for Beginners Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Internet for Beginners Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Internet for Beginners
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Scottgem
Expertise
I can answer a wide variety of questions pertaining to making the most of cyberspace.

Experience
I have been using cyberspace and the Internet for over 15 years.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Computing/Technology > Understanding Computers > Internet for Beginners > an article

Internet for Beginners - an article


Expert: Scottgem - 3/27/2005

Question
Hi, I was reading an article about how Spyware operates on an individual PC and and came across the following quote,

"Spyware and Adware is software made by publishers that allow them to snoop on your browsing activity, invade your privacy, and flood you with those horrible popups. If you are like most users on the internet, chances are you are probably infected with these applications."

My question is that if there are any laws that contol the publishers of the software which snoops on our browsing activity, invade privacy as it says in the article, or at least punishments that apply to such publishers or any individual who created such software.

Thanks.
Saori

Answer
At this point, the legalties behind spyware and adware are very much a grey area. In most cases, you actually allow these things to be installed on your PCs. You may be installing something else, and buried deep in the license agreement is permission to install.

I do know that the US Federal government is looking into providing penalties for these, but no specific legislation has been enacted yet.

HTH
Scott<>

Add to this Answer   Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.