Overview of pending State legislation related to spyware, spam and social networks.
Virginia:
Conforms Virginia’s SPAM law to make it constitutional by addressing routing information, narrow the law to relate only to unsolicited commercial email. (HB 1)
Pennsylvania:
Amend unsolicited fax law to include emails sent by fax. (HB 861)
Uses existing consumer protection laws to address spyware (S.B. 123)
New York:
Criminalize sending unsolicited, harassing, emails. (A. 6597)
Unlawful use of spyware and malware. (A. 3658 and S. 137); addition of criminal penalties for conduct similar to that in A. 3658 and S. 137. (A. 1758)
No software installations without the user’s actual, verifiable, consent. (A. 1758)
Creates a Computer Spyware Consumer Protection Act. (A. 6419)
Adds spyware to consumer protection laws. (S. 4716)
Massachusetts:
Uses existing consumer protection laws to address spyware. (H.B. 332 / 227)
West Virginia:
Uses existing consumer protection laws to address spyware. (H.B. 3127)
Utah:
Includes spyware in prohibited internet content. (S.B. 26)
Iowa:
Prohibits school officials from posting student photos on social networks. (H.F. 518)
Illinois:
Requires parental consent for minor’s access to social networks. (H.B. 1312)
David Snead is a lawyer whose practice is focused on internet infrastructure providers. In his eleven years in this practice, he has represented clients including multinationals, middle tier hosting companies, and two guys, a server, a T-1 and a huge MasterCard balance.
A long-time WHIR contribut... (Read full bio)
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