Do software companys spy on their customers?
 

I've heard all sorts of stuff about m$ collecting data on you. Another one that seems far out but it said that a program can report back to "Head Quarters" and see if it has been pirated. I read that MusicMatch Jukebox secretly sends out packets of information on what kind of music you listen to. Any grain of truth here?

What I'm talking about are the companies that are supposed to be reputable and trustworthy and are supposed to protect your privacy, I'm not talking about the free screen saver that that you downloaded that is infested with ads and spyware, the kind you know not to download. Basically are the software companies we are told we can trust actually spying on us? Can you give me specific incidences I can read up on?

There won't be any trusted info about that. Companies may or not spy on us, but all you will find on the Internet are nothing but "Conspiracy Theory". Pretty much as the other (closed) thread about Sep11 (thank god it was closed, by the way). And I hope that by "reputable and trustworthy" you don't mean MS :)

Well, I was referring to Microsoft. But take note of "supposed to be", obviously M$ is not.

http://www.crazylinux.net/downloads/...n/p-02851.html

Take the site's credibility however you like, I just hit Google briefly and that was the first page.

You know I think their right, but I think that its not just for suspects, its for every one. I'm sure there is already something out there that "Big Brother" uses to monitor our computer use with, like echelon, just my opinion of course. I wouldn't put it past the government or those idiot software makers, I'm no conspiracy theorist but I think there is some kind of monitoring going on by someone who doesn't need any consent of any kind to do it, they are above the law or they do it in secret. Does anyone else agree with me?

You know what I don't think major companies like MS spy on their customers without their consent. Activation only sends a hardware code to MS to key the OS to a certain machine (which has been in the EULA of like any program sold in stores you are only allowed to use their software on one machine at a time) and when they wanted info from me they asked and I had an option. There is no need to "spy" on me. Not from them. However as for all the other crap.....

Everytime I turn on my computer.. I put my tin foil hat on as well.. they're watching us and they know everything.. be very afraid, they're going to get us one day...
Your not safe without your tin foil hat on.. :eek:

:rolleyes:

Do software company's spy on users? Does a bear sh--never mind.

Yes, but not for some grand evil plan, more a general everyday petty evilness that has more to do with sales and marketing, that kind of thing. My firewall logs fill up on a lot of applications, some I was quite suprised at.

what firewall do you use? I know a firewall is a firewall but I'm just curious.

I don't think they do, but if they do, I don't care.I hbave nothing to hide

Pix.