October 4, 2004

No Spywire for California

California has the latest in anti-spyware law. The new law is intended to protect customers from software that acts to invade online customer privacy. It is now illegal for anyone to install software on someone else's computer and use it to modify settings, including the user's homepage, default search page, or bookmarks. A ban is now in effect for software that cannot be uninstalled or disabled or software that appears to be uninstalled or disabled, but is not. The penalty for violators is $1,000 per incident and complainants’ attorney's fees.

California Enacts Anti-Spyware Law, ClickZNews, September 29, 2004