FTC official: Let's imprison spyware distributors

[u-Bob]

WASHINGTON--Steep fines are nice, but one of the best weapons against spyware purveyors is locking them up, a federal regulator told senators on Tuesday.

At a morning Senate Commerce Committee hearing here, Federal Trade Commissioner William Kovacic said most wrongdoers in the spyware arena "can only be described as vicious organized criminals."

"Many of most serious wrongdoers we observed in this area, I believe, are only going to be deterred if their freedom is withdrawn," so it's important for the FTC to collaborate on its cases with criminal law enforcement authorities, Kovacic said.

Kovacic's remarks came in response to a question from Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), who was presiding over Tuesday morning's hearing, about whether the FTC is sufficiently equipped to combat the scourge of software planted surreptitiously on a user's computer.

...

http://news.com.com/2061-10789_3-6174873.html

[DarkJedi]

I thought you tards wanted the gov to stay away from the internets?

[notabook]

That's the LAST thing they need to do. MUCH larger fines, sure, but imprisonment?

[crockett]

Originally Posted by notabook

That's the LAST thing they need to do. MUCH larger fines, sure, but imprisonment?

Why not? They are thieving fucks and in a lot of cases totally screw up peoples computers. I could only imagine how much spyware BS costs surfers and legit businesses every year.

I'm not big on the govt getting too involved in the internet but spyware is one place that needs more attention.

[notabook]

Originally Posted by crockett

Why not? They are thieving fucks and in a lot of cases totally screw up peoples computers. I could only imagine how much spyware BS costs surfers and legit businesses every year.

I'm not big on the govt getting too involved in the internet but spyware is one place that needs more attention.

Simply put, I don't believe that those crimes should involve prison time. I believe that prison should be exclusively for the so-called "hard crimes". There are far too many people in prison as it is, adding more doesn't do a bit of good. Fine the SHIT out of these people instead and make it unprofitable for them to continue to fuck with people. The end result is the same (stopping spyware). The added benefit of them not going to prison is that tax payers don't have to pay for their stay... 50-70k a year for jail time for a spyware distributor? Guh.

[mikeyddddd]

Fuck Em.

[Nookster]

Originally Posted by notabook

Simply put, I don't believe that those crimes should involve prison time. I believe that prison should be exclusively for the so-called "hard crimes". There are far too many people in prison as it is, adding more doesn't do a bit of good. Fine the SHIT out of these people instead and make it unprofitable for them to continue to fuck with people. The end result is the same (stopping spyware). The added benefit of them not going to prison is that tax payers don't have to pay for their stay... 50-70k a year for jail time for a spyware distributor? Guh.

1. Breaking and entering.
2. Invasion of privacy.
3. Destruction of private property.

This list is what spyware distributors commit on a minute by minute basis. Those ARE "hard crimes."

I will gladly let my tax money go towards putting spyware distributors behind bars. Answer this. Why do you think they should look at their crimes as petty compared to others? Are you one of them??

[mikeyddddd]

I was going to say charge them under RICO. Fine them, imprison them and seize their assets...

If what they do is not organized crime, then I don't know what is.

But, the tards would come after us next. It's a real slippery slope when people like Mark Pryor get involved.

[notabook]

Originally Posted by Nookster

I will gladly let my tax money go towards putting spyware distributors behind bars. Answer this. Why do you think they should look at their crimes as petty compared to others? Are you one of them??

I for one am not willing for my tax money to go towards putting spyware distributors behind bars. And no, I don't think that they should look at their crimes as "petty" compared to other internet crimes nor am I "one of them". I look at this level of crime the same way that I look with people downloading content illegally and the same way I look at it with those who record a movie with their video camera at the theater. They just don't deserve to be grouped together with rapists, murderers, and child molesters. I believe that those crimes (spyware, spamming, illegal content theft) should be dealt with monetarily -- hit these people where it hurts.

[Due]

Originally Posted by mikeyddddd

I was going to say charge them under RICO. Fine them, imprison them and seize their assets...

If what they do is not organized crime, then I don't know what is.

But, the tards would come after us next. It's a real slippery slope when people like Mark Pryor get involved.

It's not organized, they always shoot in blind to hit as many as possible.
It's hard work, we shouldnt destroy their income sources, most of them dont know what else to do, so you would just have to pay their wealthfare cheques instead while they hit the streets to make up for the lost earnings.
We should award them for their initiativ of creating their own income instead, and congrats to the winner!

[Nookster]

Originally Posted by notabook

I for one am not willing for my tax money to go towards putting spyware distributors behind bars. And no, I don't think that they should look at their crimes as "petty" compared to other internet crimes nor am I "one of them". I look at this level of crime the same way that I look with people downloading content illegally and the same way I look at it with those who record a movie with their video camera at the theater. They just don't deserve to be grouped together with rapists, murderers, and child molesters. I believe that those crimes (spyware, spamming, illegal content theft) should be dealt with monetarily -- hit these people where it hurts.

We all know that making these fucks shell out money for their actions does abso-fucking-lutely nothing to stop them from carrying on with doing what they do so why even bother keeping it the same? Look at it like this...
Threatening someone used to be a misdemeanor in the US until hundreds of thousands of people would do it and keep doing it. They finally made it a felony and people have learned to not do it unless you want to spend some time in prison/jail. Enough said.
If you commit crimes (any crimes, whichever they may be) you deserve to do time, period.

"If you do the crime you do the time."

[notabook]

Originally Posted by Nookster

If you commit crimes (any crimes, whichever they may be) you deserve to do time, period.

"If you do the crime you do the time."

Wow... ever sped before? Then get your ass in jail. Forget to put on your seatbelt? Jail. Forget to come at a complete stop at a stop sign? Yep, you go to jail.

Do you realize how stupid that sounds?

[Nookster]

Originally Posted by notabook

Wow... ever sped before? Then get your ass in jail. Forget to put on your seatbelt? Jail. Forget to come at a complete stop at a stop sign? Yep, you go to jail.

Do you realize how stupid that sounds?

Idiot. Speeding is a minor traffic infraction. You will never get jail time for infractions. You do know what an infraction is, right?

[StarkReality]

Originally Posted by notabook

I believe that those crimes (spyware, spamming, illegal content theft) should be dealt with monetarily -- hit these people where it hurts.

Fines wouldn't hurt them, they'd only lower their profits. Knowing that spamming will make you end up in jail is a much more unpleasant thought for those who enjoy a comfortable life.

[Scootermuze]

Originally Posted by notabook

Do you realize how stupid that sounds?

Not really..

if such a law is passed, and they know the consequences for their actions, they know the chances they're taking..

Simple solution... don't do it..

[notabook]

Originally Posted by Nookster

Idiot. Speeding is a minor traffic infraction. You will never get jail time for infractions. You do know what an infraction is, right?

You may want to reread what you wrote chief =)

Originally Posted by Nookster

If you commit crimes (any crimes, whichever they may be) you deserve to do time, period.

"If you do the crime you do the time."

ANY CRIMES, WHICHEVER THEY MAY BE.

[notabook]

Originally Posted by Scootermuze

Not really..

if such a law is passed, and they know the consequences for their actions, they know the chances they're taking..

Simple solution... don't do it..

No, it's fucking retarded to be put in jail for such a crime of speeding, failing to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, or forgetting to wear your seatbelt. Nookster believes that you should do jail time no matter the crime. Even LITTERING. If that's not fucking stupid I don't know what is.

[Tempest]

Originally Posted by notabook

Simply put, I don't believe that those crimes should involve prison time. I believe that prison should be exclusively for the so-called "hard crimes". There are far too many people in prison as it is, adding more doesn't do a bit of good. Fine the SHIT out of these people instead and make it unprofitable for them to continue to fuck with people. The end result is the same (stopping spyware). The added benefit of them not going to prison is that tax payers don't have to pay for their stay... 50-70k a year for jail time for a spyware distributor? Guh.

Are you stupid? A fine, regardless of how big it is isn't going to stop a criminal. Yeah, it will stop the "part timers", but the hardcore guys are going to keep doing it, adjusting their methods etc. to continue to try and evade any fines. Besides that, they're only going to get fined for a fraction of the criminal activities they actually commit (due to a lack of hard evidence), and they'll be hiding large chunks of their money where no one can get at it. How many criminals do we already know of that are on the run as it is?

Take all available assets and lock the fuckers up for a few years.

[notabook]

Originally Posted by Tempest

Take all available assets and lock the fuckers up for a few years.

How about just TAKE ALL AVAILABLE ASSETS? =)

[Jack_Daniels]

Originally Posted by crockett

Why not? They are thieving fucks and in a lot of cases totally screw up peoples computers. I could only imagine how much spyware BS costs surfers and legit businesses every year.

Precisely.

If the damage is sufficient enough to require a reformat, it's plenty enough to justify throwing the spyware dude in with Bubba for a few months

[Slocums]

just another way of the big bloated us government to try to crush the average us citizen. although i too agree for offenders to pay a large monetary fine, how does that help anythingbesides put more money in a corrupt governments hands. all the offender does is move the operation out of the country and find another country who dosn"t cooperate with "the machine" aka the united states government..this way uncle sam can continue his war on the middle class

[OldJeff]

Anyone bother to wonder what the FTC considers spyware ?

What about sites that insert a tracking cookie ? - You are placing code on the computer.

I happen to know a little about how the FTC (ab)uses its powers. This is not a good thing at all

[sherie]

Hmm does anybody else see a picture of that Monkey George W. in their heads when you hear or read the term "wrong doer(s)". For some reason I just can't take that term seriously. How about using the word "CRIMINAL" instead...christ!

[onlineriches]

1) its extremely hard and time consuming to track these people down.
2) 95% are based outside of the USA.
3) many are based in countries who will not co-operate to extradite citizens.

sounds like only the USA people will be affected.

[bdld]

i say put 'em in jail, unfortunately it wont stop the problem, as a whole bunch are overseas and their governments dont even know what the internet is.

[tony286]

Im all for it

[Jack_Daniels]

Originally Posted by bdld

a whole bunch are overseas and their governments dont even know what the internet is.

Those are the ones we send the CIA hit teams after

[Nookster]

Originally Posted by notabook

You may want to reread what you wrote chief =)



ANY CRIMES, WHICHEVER THEY MAY BE.

Ohh, sooooory. I didn't realize you would be stupid enough to take what I said so literally. Maybe I should have been more CLEAR. Any crimes (meaning misdemeanors and felonies). Fucking retard.

[pornguy]

Bout time.

[Phoenix]

jail is a bit harsh

how about jailing those cocksuckers who drop off flyers at my house each day