SPY BLOCK Act

Summary

Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge Act or the SPY BLOCK Act - Makes it unlawful for a person who is not an authorized user of a protected computer (a computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication), subject to specified exceptions, to: (1) cause the installation of software on the computer in a manner that conceals the fact of installation from the user or prevents the user from knowingly granting or withholding consent; (2) induce an authorized user to consent to installation through materially false or misleading representations; (3) cause the installation of software that cannot be uninstalled or disabled by an authorized user through usual program removal functions; (4) cause the installation of software that includes a surreptitious information collection feature or use such software to collect information; (5) cause the installation of adware without a means of identifying the software source of each advertisement delivered; or (6) engage in other specified unfair or deceptive acts or practices that thwart user control. Sets forth limitations on liability for: (1) providers of passive transmission, hosting, or linking functions; (2) providers of user-subscribed network security or diagnostic software; (3) manufacturers and retailers who cause the installation of third-party software prior to the first retail sale and delivery of a protected computer; (4) multichannel video programming distributors who use a navigation device in connection with the provision of multichannel video programming if subject to specified privacy requirements; and (5) providers of anti-spyware who, acting in good faith and with the user's consent, remove software programs from a protected computer. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to issue rules as necessary to implement or clarify the provisions of this Act. Requires violations of this Act to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Authorizes States to bring civil actions in U.S. District Court to remedy violations of this Act on behalf of its citizens. Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit, and establish penalties for, the illicit indirect use of protected computers.

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Documents

6 official files

• Reported to Senate (text)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 12 June 2006

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• Reported to Senate (PDF)

  Reported to Senate · EN · 12 June 2006

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• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 12 June 2006

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• Introduced in Senate (text)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 20 March 2005

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• Introduced in Senate (PDF)

  Introduced in Senate · EN · 20 March 2005

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 20 March 2005

  Open at official source

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