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.
Groups Launch "Chain of Trust" Initiative - The CDT-organized Anti-Spyware Coalition, working jointly with the National Cyber Security Alliance and StopBadware.org, today launched a new initiative to combat malicious software (malware) by establishing a "Chain of Trust" among all organizations and individuals that play a role in securing the Internet. The Initiative will link together security vendors, researchers, government agencies, Internet companies, network providers, advocacy and education groups in a systemic effort to stem the rising tide of malware. Applying many of the same approaches used to bring nuisance adware under control, the Chain of Trust Initiative aims to establish a united front against a threat continues to grow exponentially. May 19, 2009
Share this articleFTC Takes Aim at "Stalker Spyware" Company - Acting on a request from the Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. District Court has temporarily halted the sale of "stalker spyware," pending a decision on whether these products engage in unfair and deceptive practices by enabling and encouraging privacy invasion. Keylogger programs are often sold as "stalker spyware" and describe in detail how to spy on others without being detected, according to the FTC complaint. CDT applauds the hard work of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, which first brought a petition to the FTC to stop these deceptive, privacy invasive technologies. November 17, 2008
Share this articleCDT 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
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