House scrutinizes spyware

A House of Representatives panel is planning to convene a hearing on so-called spyware on April 29, marking the beginning of a process that could lead to legislation targeting the controversial breed of software products that tends to be installed on computers without the owner's explicit consent.

The hearing before the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection will include government and industry witnesses who will be announced next week, a subcommittee representative said Tuesday. It follows a full-day hearing that the Federal Trade Commission held on Monday. One House bill already introduced by Rep. Mary Bono, R-Calif., would give the FTC the power to ban spyware installed without explicit consent.