SPY BLOCK Act

The SPY BLOCK Act is designed to protect consumers from "spyware" and other invasive software by making it illegal to install programs on a person's computer through deceptive or unfair methods. The bill specifically prohibits high-risk activities such as "modem hijacking," taking unauthorized control of a computer to send spam or launch attacks, and the use of "zombies" to remotely operate a device without the owner's knowledge.

For the average citizen, this legislation would require software companies to provide clear, easy-to-understand disclosures and obtain explicit consent before installing programs that collect sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, financial records, or keystrokes. It also mandates that any software causing pop-up advertisements must be easy to identify and simple to uninstall using standard computer settings. To ensure these protections are followed, the bill authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to impose significant financial penalties on violators and allows state attorneys general to file lawsuits on behalf of residents who have been targeted by deceptive software practices.