Claria's Non-Exit Exit From Adware
from the splitting-hairs dept
Claria's done a lot to try and shake its history as an adware peddler, from dropping the Gator name to not calling pop-ups pop-ups, and trying to change what they do to "behavioral advertising". The company now says it's exiting the adware business -- a claim that's open to debate. Claria does say it will stop serving pop-up ads generated by its spyware, and is looking to sell that aspect of its business (rather than just shut it down, it wants to further monetize the spyware business). It's now pushing some "personalized Web portal" product that serves users content it thinks they'll like, along with ads that displayed based on information from -- yep -- software with sneaky installs and convoluted EULAs. It's pitching the change by saying the ads will be displayed with the relevant site's permission, which may be true, but they're based on information users may not realize they're giving up. But when you obfuscate the definition of adware, perhaps it's easy to say you're moving on.
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Moving on -- for real
We’ll be sure to let you have a first look when we’re ready. We’d like your opinion, and think you’ll agree that Claria is absolutely moving on.
Joe Seither
Claria
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tsk tsk tsk
I still think their old activities should have been illegal.
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You'll Pardon Me
As a network administrator that has had to spend hours cleaning up the unmitigated cespool of spyware yours and other companies have unleased (yeah yeah you call it "ADWARE" - I call it horse puckey), I had to laugh that you would even show your face on the net and spout nore of your "Spin".
Any company that has made money using the tactics your company has is not one I will take the word of lightly, and does not deserve my trust.
Do the right thing LET GAIN DIE. Don't sell it.
Do the honorable thing and stop this madness.
Not everything is "worth" money - certainly not your "business".
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Re: tsk tsk tsk
Joe, could you clarify? We never deleted any comments concerning Gator changing its name to Claria. What makes you think we did?
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Re: tsk tsk tsk
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New Way Of Doing Old Business
If I want things "pushed onto me", I'll put on my bib and sit in my highchair and have my mommy spoon-feed me! C'MON, gimme a break!
I hate spyware and popups with a passion! So much that I'm very vigilant about keeping that garbage off my system. I don't need someone (or something) watching my every move when I'm online. Then this (I'll use this term loosely) software, will tell me what *it* thinks I need to see next, and pops it up on my screen. NOW, this popup is right in front of my face telling me that I've just won an all-expense paid trip for two to Cancun Mexico! Excuse me?? Trip for two?? But I'm recently divorced. Why in the he** would I want a trip for two if there's nobody to take. D'OH! I was actually at this website, through an RSS feed, reading about a child dying because of an accident that happened.
My, God! When will these people get it! WE DON'T WANT SPYWARE! WE DON'T WANT POPUPS! Good Lord, if they want their name to be heard...make a good product. Make it the best product in the world. I'll bet my next paycheck that if you make an outstanding product, people *will* talk about it. The word will spread like wildfire! But when you make a bad product, the word spreads even faster. (are you listening spyware makers??)
I'm willing to bet that many of you have had a similar experience while surfing and getting popup after popup, and all that happens is that you get madder by the minute by closing the damn things, then eventually closing your web browser to get away from it and start somewhere else.
I see no future with spyware. I never agreed to have it on my machine. Now I know that a few of you out there will tell me about the EULA and to read it first, but I can tell you from experience that I DO read it. ALWAYS! I want to know what low-life has bundled their spyware into this shareware program that I was considering to "try before you buy". Once I see that in the EULA (and sometimes it's not even in there) it's gone! Deleted! If my AdAware tell me that there's something in there after installing, guess what?? It's gone! So the author of that shareware program certainly won't get my money because of the spyware that got installed. Sorry, you lose! Both of you!
I've ranted on long enough and have put MORE than my 2¢ worth in. So, on that note... Enough said!
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Re: Re: tsk tsk tsk
About two and a half hours ago, I posted a comment on the article. At that time there were about eight comments on the article. The tone of the comments was pretty harsh. When I checked the article an hour ago those eight comments were gone and there were just two new ones, one of which was from Claria.
I jumped to the conclusion that Claria had leaned on you and you had deleted the comments on mass. If I've done you an injustice I apologize.
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Re: Re: Re: tsk tsk tsk
About two and a half hours ago, I posted a comment on the article. At that time there were about eight comments on the article. The tone of the comments was pretty harsh. When I checked the article an hour ago those eight comments were gone and there were just two new ones, one of which was from Claria.
It looks like you didn't post the comment to this article, but to one that is linked in the article above, but is from a few years ago.
You can see your comment at the bottom of this post from 2003 -- which is where you placed it.
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Re: Re: Re: Re: tsk tsk tsk
It looks like you didn't post the comment to this article, but to one that is linked in the article above, but is from a few years ago.
You are right. I am actually, sincerely, embarrassed. I apologize to techdirt for my error. Thank you for the prompt response.
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Bullsh!^
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Shove It Prick
Alec Weisman
Simi Valley, California
Would Love To Meet You, Prick
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funny
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my two cents, and a suggestion for Mr. Seither
I'm not going to get profane, but I think the earlier "shove it" post really does just about sum everything up.
If you think you are seriously doing the world a favor by producing software that forces ads onto people who do not want to get them, I have a simple suggestion for you, Mr. Seither:
Go forth and multiply with yourself.
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Re: Moving on -- for real
We are indeed exiting the adware business. That is not open to debate
Maybe it isn't by your screwed up definition. However, by many definitions of ad-ware AND spyware, I'd say its up for debate.
Claria (Gator! Yes you are Gator!) is one of the most unethical companies I've seen in years. Your PR machine works overtime to make us think you guys are squeaky clean when in fact you are completely unrepentant in your spying on people without their knowledge. You use dubious methods to gather your data and debate loopholes when called on it.
Claria is gator is spyware. Say it with me.
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Re: my two cents, and a suggestion for Mr. Seither
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Re: Moving on -- for real
As another sysadmin who'se experienced the pain of removing spyware from company machines, (GATOR/GAIN in particular) I find nothing redeeming about Claria's stated "intention."
As with all spyware/adward companies, first and foremost; they lie. They lie when they tell you they don't lie. Sneaky installs, no regard for privacy, convoluted EULAs and no regard for software quality and compatibility; their words mean nothing when compared to their actions.,
Bottom line: these companys are peddling something no-one wants: Consequently, the only way to move such a product or web is to lie about it. There *is* no other way to move such a product. Think about it: How do you market a product/website that will bombard the visitor with intrusive advertising? Do you say that? Of course not; you lie about it; you lie and tell people it's something it isn't; you lie and tell people it's something they would want.
Joe, you've got a credibility problem; and I believe it's your number 1 problem. I don't believe a word you say.
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That said, BUNDLING ADWARE IS BULLSHIT. Ads should be internal in a program, not installed separately.
What on earth was wrong with banner ads in programs? I would gladly stare at a 400x200 pixel ad rather than be paid to clean spyware off customers machines day after day, after day . . .
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look out carlo
Look out Carlo, they're going to sneak their spyware onto your computer.
I'd laugh if it weren't so scary!
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cEHOf4xIAJ
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