Overhype

Overhype

by Mike Masnick





Spyware Free Now A Marketing Feature?

from the how-the-game-goes dept

Eventually this had to happen. So much spyware is installed when people download free programs and don't realize the fine print includes all sorts of nasty programs they're agreeing to. However, most people hate all the spyware installed on their machine - and when people hate something that companies are doing that just means it's an opportunity for another company to come along and hype the fact that they're not doing that. So, it's not really surprising that the new version of LimeWire is hyping the fact that they don't install any spyware - as if that's a feature. While I find it amusing (and a bit upsetting) that software makers need to make this clear, hopefully other software developers will do the same. As the spyware bundle problem has become worse, more and more people are reluctant to download any new software online for fear of what comes with it. While some software providers have hidden their "no spyware included" statement in the detailed info or the FAQ - having it front and center may become increasingly important.

2 Comments | Leave a Comment..

 

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  1. no spyware p2p client

    by Anonymous Coward - May 18th, 2004 @ 12:36pm


    no spyware p2p client


    http://download.com.com/3000-2166-10289666.html?tag=lst-0-1

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

  2. truth in advertising

    by aNonMooseCowherd - May 18th, 2004 @ 3:51pm

    If they advertise a product as spyware-free and it isn't, then in principle they can be charged with false advertising, regardless of what's in the fine print of the EULA.

    (reply to this comment) (link to this comment)

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