Legislation Introduced to Prevent Accidental File-Sharing

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Informed P2P User Act intended to prevent people from accidentally sharing files on their computer by requiring that file-sharing programs first provide notice and obtain consent from users.

Legislation designed to protect people from privacy and security risks when using file-sharing software has been introduced in the House of Reps.

Sponsored by Reps Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), John Barrow (D-Ga.), and Joe Barton (R-Texas), the Informed P2P User Act [H.R. 1319] is intended “to prevent the inadvertent disclosure of information on a computer through the use of certain `peer-to-peer’ file sharing software without first providing notice and obtaining consent from the owner or authorized user of the computer.”

“Far too many people have no idea that they could be sharing all of their personal files and documents when popular peer-to-peer software is on their computer,” said Rep Bono Mack in a statement. “Computer users deserve to know – in fair and simple terms – about this potential security risk. This bill will empower individuals by making them aware and keeping them from inadvertently sharing their private information with complete strangers.”

As file-sharers are well aware, many have inadvertently allowed access to sensitive information on their PC by improperly configuring their shared folder. This has now drawn concern from lawmakers.

“A lot of folks connect to these networks and don’t even realize that their most personal and private files are visible to everyone else on the network at any time,” said Rep Barrow. “It’s like they’re posting their tax returns, financial records, and personal messages on the Internet, and they don’t even know it. This bill will let them know, in a way they can understand, that the information on their computers could be at risk. We have truth in lending and truth in labeling – this is truth in networking, and we need it.”

The legislation would require file-sharing programs to show users a “clear and conspicuous notice that such [a] program allows files on the protected computer to be available for searching and copying by another computer,” and to obtain the “informed consent to the installation of such program from an owner or authorized user of the protected computer.”

The bill would also require file-sharing programs to provide “clear and conspicuous notice of which files are to be made available to another computer.”

It would also make it illegal to prevent the authorized user of a computer to block the installation of a P2P file-sharing program, disable or remove the program.

“From tax returns to family photos, a person’s private information should not be unknowingly shared to anyone in a P2P network,” added Rep Barton. “This bill illustrates that there are bipartisan solutions to this problem and takes strong steps to empowering P2P users with information they need to better protect themselves and their families online. Congresswoman Bono Mack has proven herself to be a leader in matters of online security, and I am proud to join with her and Congressman Barrow in this important effort.”

The statement on Bono Mack’s Web site that announced the legislation also mentioned recent reports that P2P software was involved in a recent security breach with Marine One, the presidential helicopter, whereby a US Defense contractor reportedly leaked classified military information about it.

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