Tech 2004: Where the Candidates Stand

Complete Answers to Survey Questions: George W. Bush

Below is the pared-down list of questions PC World sent to the George W. Bush presidential reelection campaign, and the answers that campaign provided to us. (The Bush campaign originally received the same 15 questions as the Kerry campaign, but did not respond.) We framed questions primarily as yes/no, and asked the candidates to elaborate if they chose.

Question 1: Does (a) e-mail and/or (b) data deserve the same, less, or more privacy protection (in transit or stored) than postal mail and other such documents? If the same or more, what will you do to make sure that it is protected?

Bush: I believe e-mail and electronic data deserve appropriate privacy protections. Among other efforts, my administration has worked to improve cybersecurity to help prevent electronic communications from being compromised.

Question 2: Would you sign into law an anti-spyware bill with strict definitions and high penalties for violators, such as the Internet Spyware Prevention Act or the SPY ACT?

Bush: My administration supports clear definitions of spyware. The FTC is currently enforcing existing law, and I would support continued efforts to strengthen enforcement with respect to spyware and consider any spyware legislation in that light.

Question 3: Should hardware or software manufacturers shoulder at least some level of legal liability for security breaches resulting in loss of data, money, and the like due to flaws or vulnerabilities in their products?

Bush:Manufacturers of defective hardware and software are subject to legal liability under existing law. I support continued enforcement of the law.

Question 4: Do you support Senator [Orrin] Hatch's Induce Act?

Bush:My administration has not endorsed the Induce Act; however, we strongly support efforts to protect intellectual property and will continue to work with Congress to ensure intellectual property is properly protected.

Question 5: Should electronic voting machines without paper trails be used by any state?

Bush: The administration of elections is primarily a state and local responsibility, and I support the right of states to set standards and guidelines for voting equipment. The fairness of all elections, however, is a national priority. State and local officials are being encouraged to conduct elections in a manner that instills confidence in all our citizens. To that end, states and localities are being supported by federal grants to help them purchase the best available voting technologies.