What are the laws regarding the disclosure of source code, software vulnerabilities, and other secrets?

The laws surrounding the disclosure of source code, software vulnerabilities, and other secrets vary from state to state. In Washington, the Uniform Trade Secrets Act of 2019 (UTSA) is the primary law regulating the disclosure of source code and other secrets. Under the UTSA, disclosure of a trade secret is prohibited unless it is done for a legitimate purpose or with the written consent of the owner of the trade secret. Additionally, any person who improperly disclies or obtains a trade secret may be liable for damages. When it comes to software vulnerabilities, Washington also has laws in place to protect against the use of such vulnerabilities. The Washington Computer Crime Act of 1989, for example, makes it illegal to intentionally and without authorization access, use, or damage computers, systems, programs, and data. It also prohibits any attempts to spread malicious computer code or use a computer to threaten someone’s physical safety. Other laws, such as the Washington Privacy Act of 2019, also provide protections for the disclosure of source code and other secrets. The Act requires companies to provide notice to consumers when their data is being collected and to make reasonable efforts to protect the data from unauthorized access. The Act also places certain limits on what companies can do with the data they collect. Overall, the laws regarding the disclosure of source code, software vulnerabilities, and other secrets vary from state to state. In Washington, the UTSA, the Washington Computer Crime Act of 1989, and the Washington Privacy Act of 2019 all provide protections for the disclosure and use of source code and other secrets.

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