Define Spyware Or Just Enforce Existing Laws?

from the might-take-care-of-the-problem dept

The question over exactly how spyware should be defined isn’t exactly new. However, Mark Rasch’s latest column at SecurityFocus picks apart common spyware definitions to make you wonder if it’s useful at all to define what spyware is. Instead, he suggests (as have others before) that the real issue isn’t in defining and outlawing spyware, but simply enforcing existing laws that already make most of the worst offenders illegal by way of laws against fraud. Of course, that won’t happen, because politicians want to make sure they’re seen as doing something to make their constituents’ lives better — and a law against spyware (just like the mostly useless law against spam before it) is good for publicity, even if it does little to solve any real problems.


Rate this comment as insightful
Rate this comment as funny
You have rated this comment as insightful
You have rated this comment as funny
Flag this comment as abusive/trolling/spam
You have flagged this comment
The first word has already been claimed
The last word has already been claimed
Insightful Lightbulb icon Funny Laughing icon Abusive/trolling/spam Flag icon Insightful badge Lightbulb icon Funny badge Laughing icon Comments icon

Comments on “Define Spyware Or Just Enforce Existing Laws?”

Subscribe: RSS Leave a comment
1 Comment

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a Techdirt Account? Sign in now. Want one? Register here

Comment Options:

Make this the or (get credits or sign in to see balance) what's this?

What's this?

Techdirt community members with Techdirt Credits can spotlight a comment as either the "First Word" or "Last Word" on a particular comment thread. Credits can be purchased at the Techdirt Insider Shop »

Follow Techdirt

Techdirt Daily Newsletter

Ctrl-Alt-Speech

A weekly news podcast from
Mike Masnick & Ben Whitelaw

Subscribe now to Ctrl-Alt-Speech »
Techdirt Deals
Techdirt Insider Discord
The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...
Loading...