PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1685-1688)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 26, 2004
Controlling Invasive and Unauthorized Software Act - Makes it unlawful for any person who is not the user of a protected computer (any computer used in interstate or foreign commerce or communication) to install, or allow the installation of, software on that computer, unless: (1) the user of the computer has received notice and granted consent that satisfies the requirements of this Act; and (2) the computer software's uninstall procedures satisfies the requirements of this Act.
Requires the notice to include: (1) a clear notification, displayed on the screen until the user either grants or denies consent to installation, of the name and nature of the software to be installed; and (2) a separate disclosure with respect to each information collection, advertising, distributed computing, and settings modification feature contained in the software. Requires the consent to include: (1) consent to the software installation; and (2) separate consent to each of the above features of such software.
Prohibits any person who is not the user of a protected computer from using any such feature of software installed on a computer if: (1) the software was installed in violation of this Act; (2) the use falls outside of the scope described in the notice; or (3) the person using a software feature fails to protect the security and integrity of personal information so collected. Provides exceptions, including for software installed before the sale of such computer.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Provides administration and enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission. Authorizes actions by States on behalf of its residents.
People & committees
Sen. Burns, Conrad R. [R-MT] · R–MT
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1685-1688)
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1684-1685)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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