Zango Proves There's No Such Thing As An Ex-Spyware Distributor

from the scofflaw-inc. dept

Over the years, we've seen many cases of spyware and adware distributors claiming to have cleaned up their act, and almost invariably they haven't. It looks we have yet another one of these sad stories. Just a few weeks ago, Zango announced a settlement with the FTC, whereby it had to pay a big fine and agree to strict rules about its business. Since then though, reports have trickled in suggesting that it was slow to abide by the deal, and that perhaps its promise to the FTC shouldn't be taken too seriously. Now the authority on these things, Ben Edelman, has weighed in, detailing the specifics of the company's failure to comply. Basically, it's a laundry list of what you'd expect from a company like Zango, as they're still hiding important information in the EULAs and surreptitiously downloading their wares to users computers. It's bad news for internet users and a major slap in the face to the FTC, which sees its agreements flouted so blatantly as it struggles to come up with a workable model of regulating online activity.
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  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 20 Nov 2006 @ 12:40pm

    those BASTARDS! (Zango)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 20 Nov 2006 @ 12:48pm

    What is the likely outcome?

    Zango laughs all the way to the bank. The FTC should have stated point blank... Zango is forbidden to advertise on the internet. Case closed. None of this monkey-shining. The FTC's next move should be jail time for Zango's management.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Brendan, 20 Nov 2006 @ 12:50pm

    I never, EVER trusted zango for even one second because of the "software" they required to install on your computer to view videos.

    I'll just stick with youtube, thanks. At least the software I'm installing to view those videos is Flash, which comes from Adobe-- and they don't need to install spyware on your computer.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Bruce, 20 Nov 2006 @ 2:30pm

      Re: Flash spyware

      Brendan, please look at your flash player settings, by *default*, it activates the webcam if you have one installed, it turns on the microphone and allows any website to store up to 100KB on your computer.

      Now tell me that's not invasive!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 24 Nov 2006 @ 10:30pm

        Re: Re: Flash spyware

        Gee those weren't the defaults on my install, well the cache was but the reset defaulted to off....

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Rico J. Halo, 20 Nov 2006 @ 1:24pm

    a short rope...

    ...and a tall tree. Thats what we need for those scum. Maybe I shouldnt complain as I make tons of $$$ cleaning spyware off of clients computers. Given the chance though Id gladly throw the switch on those scumbags.

    www.thatpoliticalblog.com

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    cmeeks, 20 Nov 2006 @ 1:56pm

    the fix is

    Linux
    and the tall tree, short rope

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Stu, 20 Nov 2006 @ 3:41pm

    I don't blame zango for acting like zango (yes they are scumbags). Zango will do what it can until somebody actually forces them to stop - it's their job to act like that.

    I blame government agencies for not doing their jobs.

    "Oh, please stop being so naughty Mr. Bad Person, ok?"

    "What's that you say? You'll stop being bad if I just go away? OK, then I'll go away now. Thanks for turning into a good person." (Aren't I a good little public servant?)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Rico J. Halo, 20 Nov 2006 @ 5:27pm

      Re:

      I dont understand why the govt should be involved in this. The less they are involved in my life the better. You think Zango is invasive? Obviously you have never dealt with a federal bureaucrat "on a mission" have you?

      www.thatpoliticalblog.com

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 20 Nov 2006 @ 7:35pm

        Re: Re:

        Poor widdle Zango. The big bad FTC got after them, well a little bit anyway.

        Don't think the government should be involved at all? It's the government that protects the people running Zango from vigilante retaliation. What do you think would happen if the government were to say "We're not going to get involved. Everyone, deal with people associated with Zango as you please." I think Zango would be begging for government intervention.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Jon, 20 Nov 2006 @ 6:10pm

    Why Government?

    Why should the government be involved? Well, look at the alternatives:

    You could ignore it all and let Zango go on doing what it's doing, as well as all the other spyware bastards. Or, someone could somehow organize an independant group to monitor spyware houses, but of course they would have no authority to do anything about it. Or you could organize boycots of the offenders, which should probably be done in any case.

    When it comes down to it, you elect government to protect the common good. Yes, there are things that prevent that from happening sometimes, but that's the supposed purpose. They are the only ones with the authority and ability to put a stop to practices which harm the common good. Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. In other words, if you have a problem with the government, then change it... vote out incumbents, vote 3rd party if you have to, and make sure that the politicians know *why* you're voting for or against them.

    At the end of the process, you'll have a government that you can trust more readily, and who will work on your behalf.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Lordreinko, 5 Jan 2007 @ 4:20pm

    Install linux and be done with it i dont have that problem

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Decides to write Spyware for linux, 8 Jun 2007 @ 9:16am

    Decides to write Spyware for linux

    Decides to write Spyware for linux

    link to this | view in chronology ]


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