More on Sony: Dangerous Decloaking Patch, EULAs and Phoning Home

  • Thread starter Thread starter plun
  • Start date Start date
plun said:
plun wrote on 2005-11-05 :


And more:

http://news.com.com/Sonys+antipirac...hit+lists/2100-1029_3-5933428.html?tag=cd.top
Click to expand...

Hello plun,

This just keeps on getting worst, doesn't it.

Let's consider what's going on here:

Sony installs a rootkit on the computers of legal, paying customers to
enforce an arbitrary limit of 3 copies. This, of course, has no effect on
those who are illegally sharing songs. However anyone can hide files using
Sony's rootkit.

Properly chastised, Sony releases a patch to remove the rootkit if users
will allow them to install an ActiveX control.

Sony claims there is no personally identifiable information collected.

Sony also offers to maybe allow users to remove the software completely if
the user is willing to install another ActiveX control and give them their
email address and what Sony deems sufficient reason. Sony now has that
personally identifiable information and will use that email address to spam
the user:
http://www.sysinternals.com/Blog/
"There's no way to access the uninstaller without providing this
information, and clicking on the Sony privacy policy link at the bottom of
the page takes you to a notice that your email address will be added to
various Sony marketing lists."

Mark Russinovich determines that the software does phone home contrary to
Sony's claims.

As I pointed out earlier, the Antispyware Coalition's guidelines would
justify classing this software as spyware and now Kaspersky Lab has done
just that:
http://news.com.com/2100-1029-5933428.html?tag=tb

Here's some good commentary from NPR:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4989260

I wish I could add something really profound at this point, but Sony's
profound stupidity speaks for itself.

Bob Vanderveen
 
Sony:
"most people don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care
about it"

No comment needed.
 
Bill Sanderson said:
Sony:
"most people don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care
about it"

No comment needed.
Click to expand...

Hey, I reserve the right to comment.<bEg>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociopath
Sociopath aka Antisocial personality disorder (APD)
[...]
Although criminal activity is not a necessary requirement for the diagnosis,
these individuals often encounter legal difficulties due to their disregard
for societal standards and the rights of others. Therefore, many of these
individuals can be found in prisons.
[...]
It is hypothesized that many high achievers exhibit APD characteristics.
[...]
Research has shown that individuals with APD are indifferent to the
possibility of physical pain or many punishments, and show no indications
that they experience fear when so threatened; this may explain their
apparent disregard for the consequences of their actions, and their lack of
empathy when others are suffering.

Since Sony has an "apparent disregard for the consequences of their
actions", why should they care?

Bob Vanderveen
 
Somebody posted a couple of feedback URL's for Sony somewhere. That post is
a classic--I sure wish they had a chance to read it....


Anonymous Bob said:
Bill Sanderson said:
Sony:
"most people don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care
about it"

No comment needed.
Click to expand...

Hey, I reserve the right to comment.<bEg>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociopath
Sociopath aka Antisocial personality disorder (APD)
[...]
Although criminal activity is not a necessary requirement for the diagnosis,
these individuals often encounter legal difficulties due to their disregard
for societal standards and the rights of others. Therefore, many of these
individuals can be found in prisons.
[...]
It is hypothesized that many high achievers exhibit APD characteristics.
[...]
Research has shown that individuals with APD are indifferent to the
possibility of physical pain or many punishments, and show no indications
that they experience fear when so threatened; this may explain their
apparent disregard for the consequences of their actions, and their lack of
empathy when others are suffering.

Since Sony has an "apparent disregard for the consequences of their
actions", why should they care?

Bob Vanderveen
Click to expand...
 
Anonymous Bob said:
Sony also offers to maybe allow users to remove the software completely if
the user is willing to install another ActiveX control and give them their
email address and what Sony deems sufficient reason. Sony now has that
personally identifiable information and will use that email address to
spam
the user:
Click to expand...

<snip>

Hence the need to use disposable and *unique* e-mail aliases when dealing
with MOST, ahem, businesses. Disposable so you can delete the alias without
affecting any other aliases or accounts. Unique so you know exactly to whom
you divulged that particular aliase so you will definitely know who wants
you to bend over and even expects you to smile at getting reamed.
 
Pretty funny - there are about 3 pages of 'straight" reviews--mostly
positive, and then dozens of pages of disaster stories.

the take I liked best is whether this treatment by Sony might breach the
artists contract with the label--if I were Van Zant's lawyer, I'd be looking
into that, I think.
 
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