Rep. Mary Bono, R-CA, reintroduced a bill last week to protect computer users from privacy invasion. The Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act would protect individuals from unknowingly downloading spyware by requiring that consumers receive a clear, conspicuous notice prior to downloading spyware.
It also would levy fines as large as $3 million against those who illegally collect personal information, deliver pop-up ads that can't be closed, change a browser's default home page, log keystrokes and steal identities.
Another bill expected to be reintroduced is the Children's Listbroker Privacy Act. Introduced last March by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-OR, and Ted Stevens, R-AK, it would prohibit the rental of personal information of children younger than 16 for marketing purposes without parental consent.
The bill defines personal information as name, address, e-mail address, telephone number, Social Security number and any other information identifying a person.
