- In Texas you have to be a licensed Private Detective to repair computers. And any consumer using anyone other than a licensed PI to fix his or her computer can be thrown in jail.
- Firefox users more secure on the Internet.
- Microsoft beginning to rent software starting in mid-July.
- Rhapsody going to put a dent in iTunes.
- Mac OS-X surges 32-percent.
- Microsoft officially retires XP.
- Say it’s not so: Micro-hoo back in play?
- Feds looking into Google-Yahoo deal.
- HP rolling out a $599 hotrod computer.
- Meanwhile, Dell buying back stock for personal account.
- Netgear doing an Open Source Router.
Under the new law enacted in 2007, Texas has put computer repair shops on notice that they had better watch their backs any time they work on a computer. If a computer repair technician without a government-issued private investigator’s license takes any actions that the government deems to be an “investigation,” they may be subject to criminal penalties of up to one year in jail and a $4,000 fine, as well as civil penalties of up to $10,000. The definition of “investigation” is very broad and encompasses many common computer repair tasks.
To get a private investigator’s license, owners of computer repair shops would have to close their business while they either obtained a criminal justice degree or completed a three-year apprenticeship under a licensed P.I.
This seems like another one of those laws that never get enforced.
I bet there are a lot more of these in other states.
I tried to find the text for this law also and could not.
Regards,
Bob
#33 – I call B.S. then.