H.R. 4661: Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004

108th Congress · introduced 2004-06-23 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Received in the Senate.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2004-06-23 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 503 (2004): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR4661 (2004-10-07), Passed. See all
Where it stands now: Received in the Senate. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004

Plain summary

Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal criminal code to prohibit intentionally accessing a protected computer without authorization, or exceeding authorized access, by causing a computer program or code to be copied onto the protected computer, and intentionally using that program or code: (1) in furtherance of another Federal criminal offense; (2) to obtain or transmit personal information (including a Social Security number or other government-issued identification number, a bank or credit card number, or an associated password or access code) with intent to defraud or injure a person or cause damage to a protected computer; or (3) to impair the security protection of that computer. Prohibits any person from bringing a civil action under State law premised upon the defendant's violating this Act. Provides that this Act does not prohibit any lawfully authorized investigative, protective, or intelligence activity of a law enforcement agency or a U.S. intelligence agency. Authorizes appropriations for each of FY 2005 through 2008 to the Attorney General for prosecutions needed to discourage the use of spyware (i.e., software that aids in gathering and sending information about a person or organization, or in asserting control over their computer, without their knowledge or consent) and the practice called phishing (i.e., using the websites of, or e-mails that appear to be sent from, well known legitimate businesses to deceive Internet users into revealing personal information that can be used to defraud those users). Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of Justice should use this Act and all other available tools to vigorously prosecute those who use spyware to commit crimes and those that conduct phishing scams.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

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If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] · 3 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4661, Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004 (2004-09-16); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 4661, Internet Spyware (I-SPY) Prevention Act of 2004 (2004-09-16)

Cosponsors on this site

Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)

Recorded votes

House roll call 503 (2004): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR4661 (2004-10-07): Passed

Words on this page, explained (4)

Appropriation: Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Fiscal year: The 12-month period a government uses for its budget. The federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30 and is named for the calendar year in which it ends. Most states use July 1 to June 30.
Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-108hr4661.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/108/hr>

Record fed-us-cong108-hr4661 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108