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• Introduced by Sen. Cameron Brown (R) on January 25, 2005, to prohibit installing spyware onto another person's computer or network without the owners consent. Penalties would include up to four year in prison and a $10,000 fine for certain violations. "Spyware" is a program that surreptitiously monitors a person's use of a computer, including where they go on the web, and transmits that information to an advertiser or other person. Note: Senate Bill 151 establishes civil penalties.
  • Referred to the Senate Technology and Energy Committee on January 25, 2005.
    • Reported in the Senate on February 22, 2005, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.
  • Substitute offered in the Senate on March 8, 2005, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that clarifies that a violation must be intentional . The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on March 8, 2005.
• Passed in the Senate (37 to 0) on March 9, 2005, to prohibit intentionally installing spyware onto another person's computer or network without the owners consent, and manufacturing, selling, or possessing spyware with the intent that it be used in this way. Penalties would include up to four year in prison and a $10,000 fine for certain violations. "Spyware" is a program that surreptitiously monitors a person's use of a computer, including where they go on the web, and transmits that information to an advertiser or other person. Senate Bill 151 establishes civil penalties. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the House on March 9, 2005.
  • Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on March 9, 2005.