• September 17, 2008

The Interactive Advertising Bureau is praising passage of a new bill that makes it easier for the Department of Justice to prosecute cyber criminals, including spyware purveyors.

The bill, the Identity Theft Enforcement and Restitution Act, was part of H.R. 5938--an unrelated measure that extends secret service protection to former vice presidents, their spouses, and their children under age 16 for up to six months after leaving office. It passed earlier this summer in the Senate and now awaits President George Bush's signature.

"The passing of this bill supports the interactive advertising industry's goal of increasing enforcement actions against bad actors whose criminal activity can tarnish the reputation of the online advertising industry," said Michael Zaneis, vice president of public policy at the IAB, in a statement.--Wendy Davis