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Press Releases |
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Senate Commerce Committee Approves SPY BLOCK Act
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Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today reported S. 687, the Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge Act or the “SPY BLOCK Act,” by unanimous consent. The bill would outlaw a number of activities that are associated with spyware and strengthen the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s enforcement authority.
At today’s markup, Senator Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), who introduced the original bill, offered a substitute amendment which was co-sponsored by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-Calif) and Bill Nelson (D-Fla.). The substitute passed 14-8.
The legislation as amended addresses computer hijacking, loss of computer control, adware that conceals its operation, and the collection of personal information. S. 687 strikes a balance between protecting consumers without unduly restraining legitimate e-commerce, which is a growing sector of the economy.
“I am pleased that the Committee today supported Senator Burns’ efforts to address the growing problem of invasive spyware that is infecting millions of computers across the nation,” said Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). “I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Burns and other Members of the Committee to perfect this legislation before it reaches the Senate floor.”
The SPY BLOCK Act targets three main consumer harms: taking control of a user’s computer, software that triggers advertising out of context with the use of the computer, and undisclosed collection of personal information.
The bill identifies a series of unfair and deceptive practices, which include computer hijacking, spam zombies, endless loop pop-up advertisements, and fraudulent and false installation. In addition, the SPY BLOCK Act outlaws modem hijacking, which allows spyware companies to charge overseas phone calls to victims, and denial of service attacks, which coordinate computers to attack government and other webpages.
The substitute prohibits personal information collection when the collection is not “clearly and conspicuously disclosed” or advertised as part of the software’s purpose. If sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers or account numbers, is being collected, then a notice and consent regime is required. In addition, users must be able to uninstall any software that collects personal information.
The bill also strengthens FTC enforcement and gives both the FTC and state attorneys general the authority to enforce provisions of the SPY BLOCK Act. Additionally, it creates a new section in the criminal code establishing criminal penalties for the unauthorized copying of software to a protected computer.
The Committee also adopted an amendment offered by Senator John Sununu (R-N.H.) which amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to increase civil penalties for violations involving unfair or deceptive acts or practices that exploit popular reaction to an emergency or major disaster.
The bill now moves to the full Senate for its consideration.
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved S. 2013, the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act.
This bill, which implements the provisions of the Polar Bear Treaty signed by the United States and the Russian Federation, was introduced by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and is...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Federal Trade Commission Nominations
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today approved the following nominations by unanimous consent:
William Kovacic to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
Thomas Rosch to be a Federal Trade Commissioner
PN842 - Coast Guard Admirals
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17th - |
current Press Release |
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Advance Transportation Security
- WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today unanimously approved today the “Transportation Security Improvement Act of 2005,” S. 1052, introduced by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), and Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.)
The comprehensive legislation reasserts th...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Legislation to Amend the Age Restriction for Pilots
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved a substitute amendment offered by Senator Burns to S. 65, a bill to amend age restrictions for pilots, by voice vote. The bill was introduced by Senator James Inhofe (R-Okla.).
Since 1960, federal regulations have specified that individuals age 60 and older may not serve as airline pilots on an...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today approved S. 517, the Weather Modification Research and Technology Transfer Act of 2005 by voice vote. The bill is sponsored by Committee Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas)
S. 517 establishes within the Department of Commerce the Weather Modification Advisory and Research Board (WMARB) to promote the ...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee Approves Extension of Aviation War Risk Insurance
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WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation unanimously approved today the “War Risk Extension Act of 2005,” S. 1102, introduced by Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Jay Rockefeller (D-W.V.) and co-sponsored by Subcommittee Chairman Conrad Burns (R-Mont.).
S. 1102 extends the Federal Government’s existing war risk insurance co...
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17th - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1110, the Engine Coolant and Antifreeze Bittering Agent Act of 2005, by voice vote. Consumer Affairs Subcommittee Chairman George Allen (R-Va.) originally introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) Consumer ...
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15th - |
Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens Addresses U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today addressed the U.S. Climate Change Science Program Workshop. Chairman Stevens’ remarks focused on the need to rely on sound science when making policy decisions.
The Climate Change Science Program Workshop is being held over three days and is sponsored by 13 government agencies. More information about the c...
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15th - |
Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Implement the U.S.-Russian Polar Bear Treaty
- Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has introduced the United States-Russia Polar Bear Conservation and Management Implementation Act to execute the provisions of the Polar Bear Treaty signed by the United States and the Russian Federation. Committee Co-Chairman Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is a cosponsor of the bill.
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9th - |
Chairman Stevens Introduces Legislation to Repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act
- Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has introduced legislation, S. 1977, a bill to repeal Section 5 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which has precluded upgrades to the Cherry Point refinery in Washington State.
S. 1977 removes the prohibition on federal agencies from issuing a permit for a marine terminal or dock i...
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8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Open Forum on Decency
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Washington, D.C. – Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today announced that the Full Committee is planning to hold an "Open Forum on Decency" on November 29, 2005. A specific time and location will be announced at a later time.
Representatives from wide variety of groups, including cable, broadcasting, and other content industries, are expected to attend ...
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4th - |
Senate Confirms
Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of NASA
- The U.S. Senate this afternoon confirmed Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration by Unanimous Consent. Ms. Dale received the unanimous support of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee when her nomination was reported out of the Committee on Wednesday, November 2, 2005. ###
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3rd - |
Passenger Rail Investment & Improvement Act Added to Budget Reconciliation Bill in Senate
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Calling it one last chance for the Senate to be heard on whether it wants a national passenger rail system, Senator Trent Lott of Mississippi today asked the Senate to adopt as an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill, the Amtrak reform bill he introduced in July. The amendment was adopted by a vote of 93-6.
“I know it is highly unusual to add an authorizati...
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3rd - |
Senate Approves Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005
- WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Senate today passed the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 as part of the Budget Reconciliation Bill by a vote of 52-47.
The legislation, offered by U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Co-Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), establishes two specific dates that will advance the transi...
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2nd - |
Commerce Committee Approves Nominations
- WASHINGTON, DC – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today approved the following nominations by unanimous consent:
Shana Dale to be Deputy Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mark Rosenker to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
Kathryn Higgins to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board
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2nd - |
Chairman Stevens Argues Against
the Ensign Amendment
to Reduce Converter Box Program Funds
- Washington, D.C. – During debate today on the Senate’s Budget Reconciliation Act, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) opposed an amendment offered by Senator John Ensign (R-Nev.) which would divert $2 billion from a converter box subsidy program contained in the Commerce Committee-approved Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 20...
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2nd - |
Senate Commerce Committee Approves
the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005
- Washington, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation today reported S. 1063, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005, by unanimous consent. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) originally introduced the bill, which was co-sponsored by Committee Members Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and John Kerry (D-Mass.).
During the mark-up...
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2nd - |
Opening Statement of Senator Ted Stevens
at Committee Mark-up of S.1063 and Nominees
- We are here today to consider S. 1063, the IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005. Public safety has been a focus of the Committee and has been deliberately woven into the Commerce Committee’s agenda this year, especially in the context of communications. The Committee’s agenda has included numerous public safety-related hearings and critical pieces of legislatio...
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