The U.S. House of Representatives has passed bill H.R.29, also known as the “Securely Protect Yourself Against Cyber Trespass Act or Spy Act.” Incredibly, the first text in the summary of this bill includes:
Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the owner or authorized user (user) of a protected computer (a computer exclusively for the use of a financial institution or the U.S. Government, or a computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to engage in deceptive acts or practices…
Now read carefully between the lines, and realize that the above also means this (changed text underlined):
Does not specificially make it unlawful for any person who is not the owner or authorized user (user) of a protected computer (a computer exclusively for the use of a financial institution or the U.S. Government, or a computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to engage in deceptive acts or practices…
I’m glad they left the loophole in for financial, communication, commerce, and federal organizations to continue engaging in deceptive practices. After all, that loophole ensures a majority of all business can still deceive us.