NationStates Jolt Archive

Since it is likely not all UN Delegates read all the proposals, I bring the following here for your perusal. Support would be appreciated.

Description: Nearly everyone, upon running the appropriate software on their computer, has noted the presence of the universal evil known as spyware.

Spyware exists in several forms. Mildest is a cookie, which tracks a user's activity on a specific website/webpage. Next is a tracking cookie, which is able to track the user's Internet activities, and report them to a host company. Most dangerous is a data miner, which can make it possible for a company to locate a user's personal information.

When was the last time Doubleclick, or any other spyware company, requested your permission to covertly track your activities? They never have, and there is no way to opt out.

Thus, I propose a universal banning on unrequested/unapproved spyware. Companies can freely ask if a user minds their being tracked, but the request must be in plain language, and also list what can and cannot be done with that information.

This resolution, in addition to increasing privacy across the Internet, also reduces the possibility of identity theft. Offenders shall be punished according to their nation of origin's laws as they regard any other theft of information.

Spyware, you mean polite computer viri?

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Kûk‡xenisi n!ok‡x'osi xno-k‡xek‡emi.-The state only exists to serve itself.
"Oppose excessive military spending, yet believe in excessive spending on junk food and plastic surgery to make all your women look like LARDASSES!"-Sino, when I criticized excessive military spending.
http://www.sulucas.com/images/steatopygia.jpg
I'm male. Note the pic of attractive women.

Good idea. One of the few I support.

Polite computer virii? I'm not familiar with that term. Is that the same as a data miner, which monitors your usage without changing anything?

(Rude Noise)

Hell, if this keeps up, I may actually get my faith in the U.N. back. Looks pretty, reads well, minimal legal loop hole terror possibilities. I like it, yes, it seems wothy of a vote or two, and if it gets to the U.N. floor I promise its got mine.

Happy there are some worthwhile proposals clunking about,

A Rep of Komokom.

That sounds like a great proposal, I'd definitely support it, and it's one of the few really good ones I've seen lately. Hope it gets through!

Its a well written proposal: to the point and without spelling and grammar errors and it is a common nuiscance that many have in common. It also furthers human rights by protecting privacy.

We have approved your proposal and will vote for it if it reaches the floor.

Conferacy of the Isles Region UN Delegate

You have to be kidding. All our intelligence services would be outlawed. Leaders of the world, do you want your intelligence services to be illegal ? that's what will happen if you support this.

wow, a well written proposal! It gets my support, Spyware is wrong in any form. People deserve a bit of privicy when using their own computers.

Nibbleton

Spyware exists in several forms. Mildest is a cookie, which tracks a user's activity on a specific website/webpage. Next is a tracking cookie, which is able to track the user's Internet activities, and report them to a host company.
This is completely wrong...take some time to learn how HTTP works, please.

Ultimately, though, it is up to the user to decide what software he chooses to install and what websites he chooses to visit. The software/website need not disclose whether or not "spyware" will be installed upon its use (although if they DO make a statement, then it damn well better be correct or they are guilty of fraud)--if the user does not deem the risk to be worthwhile, then he may choose to avoid the software/website.

Spyware exists in several forms. Mildest is a cookie, which tracks a user's activity on a specific website/webpage. Next is a tracking cookie, which is able to track the user's Internet activities, and report them to a host company.
This is completely wrong...take some time to learn how HTTP works, please.

Ultimately, though, it is up to the user to decide what software he chooses to install and what websites he chooses to visit. The software/website need not disclose whether or not "spyware" will be installed upon its use (although if they DO make a statement, then it damn well better be correct or they are guilty of fraud)--if the user does not deem the risk to be worthwhile, then he may choose to avoid the software/website.

With regard to cookies, you have absolute control over whether they are placed on your computer. Mozilla Firebird is very good at this and even IE will allow you to filter them. You have to be proactive in this sort of thing.

I say ban it all. It's all useless stuff that I, and most others, don't really want on their computer. Those big companies that try to trick us with that can afford to lose a few bucks.
I support the banning of spyware.