Everybody has rights. People have right to opinion, to live, to have property and many other rights. One of the rights says that people have right to privacy. The same right we find on Internet. Internet user’s have right to be safe from information and personal data stealth. Although it’s right that is protected under law, there are so many ways and methods engineered to steal this information and to use for own benefit.
Spyware is kind of program that is engineered to spy out user’s personal data. Obviously it is illegal, because user’s privacy is protected under the law.
Also online users have the right to know what they get when they download and install some software of freeware. All information is provided at the End of User License Agreement. Sometimes freeware’s EULA points out that this software is bundled with spyware, but as nobody read this stuff, it is accepted. But most freeware is secretly bundled with spyware and users aren’t informed about it, and it’s a crime also.
Every web site must inform user about their privacy policy. Users have the right to know what kind of information is collected, where it is used and for what purposes. They must know if third parties are involved in using this information. Web site must state that they protect user’s personally identifiable and aggregate information; also must state what measures are taken to protect this data. If web sites collect more information that it is declared and uses for sordid motives without any notification it is under law.
Users have right and opportunity to say their opinion in blogs or forums. Online users have almost all rights of real life human. But don’t forget that virtual world also have it’s own right and crimes. Every software and web sites has term of usage which must be obeyed and regarded. If user breaks these terms he practically looses opportunity to use his rights. Just like in a real world. If you disobeyed for a low institution you loose right to freedom. So if you disobey forum’s rules you will be banned from a forum and will loose the right of free opinion.