Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), cochair of the Bipartisan
Congressional Privacy Caucus, used the FTC's just-settled case against computer
"spying" to renew his call for tougher privacy laws.
The FTC settled a complaint on
Tuesday with seven computer rental companies and the software designer over charges
they had captured screenshots of personal information, logged computer
keystrokes and even took webcam photos of people in their homes, all with the
help of installed software.
Barton said in a statement Wednesday that he was
"dumbfounded" by the use of the computers to spy on customers. He
said he was glad the FTC had filed charges but said: "[W]e desperately
need stronger privacy laws to fight against this type of behavior. Everyone
should have a say in how their personal information is used. In my mind,
it is not only the right thing to do, but it is the American thing to do."
