Xref: utzoo comp.org.eff.talk:2263 alt.privacy:479 alt.censorship:2097
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!dali.cs.montana.edu!milton!cyberoid
From: cyberoid@milton.u.washington.edu (Robert Jacobson)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk,alt.privacy,alt.censorship
Subject: Re: Prodigy charged with invading users' privacy (was Re: Lifestyle Information ( was Re: Safeway Stores to Accept Charge)
Message-ID: <1991May1.022336.22932@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 1 May 91 02:23:36 GMT
References: <1991Apr30.143000.17493@cbnewse.att.com> <1991Apr30.184714.4675@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> <1991Apr30.185752.4913@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>
Organization: Human Interface Technology Lab, Univ. of Wash., Seattle
Lines: 16


The Electronic Commerce Act (Moore, 1984), California Civil Code, provides
that operators of online services (among other interactive services) must
tell users at least minimal information about how they conduct their business.
Failure to do so can result in prosecution and fines of $5,000 >per 
occurrence.<  (This apparently high penalty was set to encourage local
prosecutors, like the L.A. District Attorney, to take action, as they can
pocket part of the fine as compensation.)  The ECA may not be strong enough,
however.  Those who have an interest in expanding the scope of the law,
given unsavory practices of some online operators, should contact Mr.
Bill Julian, Principal Consultant, Assembly Utilities and Commerce
Committee, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-445-4246.  Other states
may have similar statutes in effect.

Bob Jacobson
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