Over the last several years, a loosely defined collection of computer software known as "spyware" has become the subject of growing public alarm. Computer users are increasingly finding programs on their computers that they did not know were installed and that they cannot uninstall, that create privacy problems and open security holes, that can hurt the performance and stability of their systems, and that can lead them to mistakenly believe that these problems are the fault of another application or their Internet provider.
CDT is working on several fronts to combat the "spyware" problem. We believe a complete solution will require a combination of better enforcement of existing laws, anti-spyware technologies, self-regulatory policies, and possibly new legislation.
CDT Is Joined on Anti-Spyware Brief by Wide Range of Groups and Companies - In a friend-of-the-court brief filed today, CDT argues that anti-spyware vendors should be protected by the liability protections afforded other filtering companies under the Communications Decency Act. CDT was joined by a broad spectrum of Internet and technology industry groups, public interest organizations, civil liberties groups and individual companies that are all committed to the proposition that users should be empowered to control their own Internet experiences. The brief urges the court to protect anti-spyware vendors from liability in cases brought to intimidate anti-spyware vendors into ignoring spyware. May 05, 2008
Share this articleASC Behavioral Targeting Working Group Launched - The Anti-Spyware Coalition has created a new internal working group to review privacy concerns raised by partnerships between behavioral targeting advertising companies and ISPs. The concerns stem from instances in which these business relationships result in all, or substantially all, user Web traffic being passed to advertisers with little or no notice. In many instances the activities raising privacy concerns are taking place by exploiting "borderline" acceptable practices in order to skirt anti-spyware products. The new working group will convene to specifically review current guidelines and recommend changes if needed. April 25, 2008
Share this articleFTC Should Apply Spyware Principles to Targeting - As it seeks models to address the mounting issues surrounding online behavioral targeting, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should begin by applying the principles it developed to guide its anti-spyware enforcement efforts, CDT said today. In comments submitted to the FTC in advance of its upcoming "town hall" meeting on behavioral advertising, CDT pointed out that the FTC's principles -- which center around the core concept that consumers should have ultimate control over their computers -- are directly applicable to behavioral advertising. In addition to filing its own comments, CDT also joined with other public interest advocates in offering a list of important questions the FTC must address over the course of the two-day meeting. CDT Comments [pdf] Privacy groups' comments [pdf] October 19, 2007
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