October 5, 2004 6:24 PM PDT  House approves spyware legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives voted late Tuesday to restrict
some of the most deceptive forms of spyware.  By a 399-1 vote,
House members approved legislation prohibiting "taking control"
of a computer, surreptitiously modifying a Web browser's home
page, or disabling antivirus software without proper
authorization.  The Spy Act would also create a complicated set
of rules governing software capable of transmitting information
across the Internet. It would give the Federal Trade Commission
authority to police violations of the law and to levy fines of
up to $3 million in the most pernicious cases.  "The rapid
proliferation of spyware has become a common menace to computer
users," said Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif., one of the architects of
the measure. "The passage of the Spy Act today is a victory for
consumers, as they are one step closer to taking back control of
their own PCs."  During the floor discussion, Rep. Jan
Schakowsky, D-Ill., warned