WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor (D-AR) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) Thursday introduced legislation to protect consumers from spam, spyware, and other international fraud activities over the Internet.
Pryor and Ayotte, who both serve on the Senate Commerce Committee, said they are concerned that current law enforcement tools used to combat global Internet scams are set to expire next year. Their legislation, the U.S. SAFE WEB Act, will extend current authorities until 2020.
The bill provides the Federal Trade Commission with enforcement tools in five areas: information sharing, investigative assistance, confidentiality, enhanced investigative and litigating tools; and enforcement relationships.
“Today’s global economy mixed with the anonymity of the Internet provides a breeding ground for pyramid schemes, advance-fee loan scams, bogus foreign lotteries, spyware and sweepstakes schemes. This deception is bilking American consumers and businesses out of millions,” Pryor said.
Ayotte agreed.
“As a former prosecutor and Attorney General, I worked closely with law enforcement officials to combat and prosecute fraud and scams,” Ayotte said. “With the growing problem of Internet crimes, it is critical for the FTC to have the necessary tools to protect American consumers and businesses from online predators abroad.”