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State Spyware Laws

As of December 29, 2009

Spyware is software that can track or collect the online activities or personal information of Web users, change settings on users computers, or cause advertising messages to pop up on users' computer screens.  Web users are often unaware that spyware has been downloaded to their computers, and even when found, it can be very difficult to remove.  This list represents only state laws that specifically address spyware.  Other states have laws that address computer crime, fraudulent or deceptive practices or identity theft and that could apply to some practices involving spyware. 

See also 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 State Legislation Relating to Internet Spyware or Adware.

State

Statutory Citation

Alaska

Alaska Stat. §§45.45.792, .794, .798; §45.50.471(51)

Arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§44-7301 to 44-7304

Arkansas

Ark. Code §§4-11-101, -102, -103, -104, -105, §19-6-301, §19-6-804

California

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code D. 8 §§22947 to 22947.6

Georgia

Ga. Code §§16-9-152 to -157

Illinois 720 ILCS 5/16D-5.5

Indiana

Ind. Code §24-4.8-1 et seq.
Ind. Code §24-4.8-2 et seq.
Ind. Code §24-4.8-3 et seq.

Iowa

Iowa Code §§715.1 to 715.8

Louisiana

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§51:2006 to 51:2014

Nevada

Nev. Rev. Stat. §205.4737

New Hampshire

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§359-H:1 to 359-H:6

Rhode Island

R.I. Gen. Laws §11-52.2-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7

Texas

Tex. Business & Commerce Code Ann. §§ 324.001 to 324.102

2009 S.B. 28 (amends spyware act to include zombies and botnets)

Utah

Utah Code Ann. §§13-40-101 to 13-40-401

Washington

Wash. Rev. Code §§ 19.270.101 to 19.270.900

 

Contact:  Pam Greenberg, NCSL Denver Office, 303-364-7700 ext. 1413, pam.greenberg@ncsl.org

State Spyware Laws

As of December 29, 2009

Spyware is software that can track or collect the online activities or personal information of Web users, change settings on users computers, or cause advertising messages to pop up on users' computer screens.  Web users are often unaware that spyware has been downloaded to their computers, and even when found, it can be very difficult to remove.  This list represents only state laws that specifically address spyware.  Other states have laws that address computer crime, fraudulent or deceptive practices or identity theft and that could apply to some practices involving spyware. 

See also 2007, 2006, 2005 and 2004 State Legislation Relating to Internet Spyware or Adware.

State

Statutory Citation

Alaska

Alaska Stat. §§45.45.792, .794, .798; §45.50.471(51)

Arizona

Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§44-7301 to 44-7304

Arkansas

Ark. Code §§4-11-101, -102, -103, -104, -105, §19-6-301, §19-6-804

California

Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code D. 8 §§22947 to 22947.6

Georgia

Ga. Code §§16-9-152 to -157

Illinois 720 ILCS 5/16D-5.5

Indiana

Ind. Code §24-4.8-1 et seq.
Ind. Code §24-4.8-2 et seq.
Ind. Code §24-4.8-3 et seq.

Iowa

Iowa Code §§715.1 to 715.8

Louisiana

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§51:2006 to 51:2014

Nevada

Nev. Rev. Stat. §205.4737

New Hampshire

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§359-H:1 to 359-H:6

Rhode Island

R.I. Gen. Laws §11-52.2-2, -3, -4, -5, -6, -7

Texas

Tex. Business & Commerce Code Ann. §§ 324.001 to 324.102

2009 S.B. 28 (amends spyware act to include zombies and botnets)

Utah

Utah Code Ann. §§13-40-101 to 13-40-401

Washington

Wash. Rev. Code §§ 19.270.101 to 19.270.900

 

Contact:  Pam Greenberg, NCSL Denver Office, 303-364-7700 ext. 1413, pam.greenberg@ncsl.org

Denver Office
Tel: 303-364-7700 | Fax: 303-364-7800 | 7700 East First Place | Denver, CO 80230

 

Washington Office
Tel: 202-624-5400 | Fax: 202-737-1069 | 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 515 | Washington, D.C. 20001

Denver Office
Tel: 303-364-7700 | Fax: 303-364-7800 | 7700 East First Place | Denver, CO 80230

 

Washington Office
Tel: 202-624-5400 | Fax: 202-737-1069 | 444 North Capitol Street, N.W., Suite 515 | Washington, D.C. 20001

©2010 National Conference of State Legislatures.  All Rights Reserved. 

©2010 National Conference of State Legislatures.  All Rights Reserved.