Dear Lawyers: Please take on Spyware companies. Signed, End Users

The (Uphill) Battle Against Spyware by Steve Bass, PC World
Below is my response to Steve's column where he talks about all the tools end-users can use to remove and prevent spyware. It has lots of good info in it, but ignored a bigger issue. It will be available to non-subscribers next week. Here is his previous column on privacy in the mean time.

Dear Steve:

Nice article on resources to battle spyware. I agree with you, it will come under control, but are we really so numbed by viruses and spam from 16 year old kids and fly-by-night companies that we use the same tactics against spyware?

The companies creating these products have assets, clients and in a lot of cases are interrupting a revenue stream of a legit company. Yes we should find technological solutions and yes we can educate users on how to protect themselves. I know some corporations don't really care about privacy, but considering these spyware companies are stealing money from them, I would think they would unleash some of their $300 an hour lawyers to bring these spyware companies down. ATTENTION CORPORATE LAWYERS: Companies are stealing your revenue and clients! Go get ‘em! You have my permission to bust ‘em up!

I think that a few serious lawsuits would have a serious chilling effect on spyware. Why do we have graduate students and law students doing the heavy lifting? If ever there was a good reason to love lawyers, this is it. Will the spyware companies move to other countries? Yes. That is why we have to develop the technological solutions at the same time. Will people lament the lost of 'innovative software development jobs' in the US? Sure, but screw 'em, Make some honest software for a change buddy. Hey spyware developers, stop hating yourself for working for the dark side, go develop for the spyware finders as they battle spyware from overseas. I've read these spyware companies websites and they would make a slippery politician proud. If they were doing above board stuff they wouldn't have to hide their activities under 39 pages of fine print.

One reason people screamed about the RIAA's lawsuits is because they went after grandmas and kids. Do you really think anyone will scream for the poor spyware and stealware makers? Oh, THE MAKERS will. They will give you a huge song and dance about how legit they are and who benefits from their work, but you won't see any end users speaking out. Can you imagine an end-user in FAVOR of web browser hijackers? "I really am glad I have the 180search assistant spyware hijacking my web browser, “ said Grandma Millie. “It gave me an opportunity to go to web sites I didn't really want to visit. I especially like the way they installed themselves on my computer without my informed consent. My computer was running too fast anyway and now they have slowed it down to a more manageable speed. I don't really care that I'm watched during my web surfing sessions, I don't have anything to be ashamed of. Only people who are ashamed of their web surfing habits should be worried about being watched."

Letters to Grandkids later, ladies. First I have to hack the registry to remove this spyware.
Photo from Joe-ks.com BTW, I have no idea what Selo moje means. Mr. Future? Sage Potatohead? Reader #13 GradeSchoolTeach? BlakNo1? Jeffraham? Ellroon?

I would really like to read the letters that come in to you SUPPORTING the whole adware, spyware makers. Watch how they dance around the issue. “We are doing a SERVICE to our customers! “ I predict you won't hear from any REAL end users. (Fake end user who work for a company, yes, but real end users, no. Please vett anyone who claims to be a disinterested end user.) Frankly I'm sick of having people make excuses for the actions of a few selfish software makers that are looking to exploit the system and destroy the user experience of the rest of us. And if you want to vett me, drop me and email with a number and we can talk, I’ll give ‘ya an ear ful.

Sincerely,
Spocko