AOL kills AIM privacy
p2pnet.net News:- You no longer have any right to privacy if you use America Online’s AIM software downloaded on or after February 5 last year.
AOL has re-written the terms of service which apply to the application giving itself the right to, “reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote” all content distributed across the chat network by users.
By, “posting Content on an AIM Product, you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this Content in any medium,” it says.
“You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Content or to be compensated for any such uses.”
And, “You Must Agree to these Terms of Service to Use AIM Products,” it dictates.
Something you think we should know? tips[at]p2pnet.net
============
See:-
AIM Product – AIM Terms of Service
March 14th, 2005 at 12:47 am
well, as if an AOL product needed any other reason to ditch it other than the fact its an AOL product…however they just ensured that their user base for AIM will drop – other than the sheep who dont know any better.
TT
March 14th, 2005 at 5:03 am
Just goes to show that one should take the time to read all that they are agreeing to, before they click on ‘continue’.
March 14th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
I’m still amazed at the stupidity of most humans. I read in my local paper about a computer bought in a local flea market containing personal data on over a thousand patients. This is despite years and years of the hacker community informing people on how to erase personal information from the hard drive of a computer. I am still amazed at how many people will gladly provide their credit card information to a phishers website and install just any piece of software from unknown sources despite all the warnings and yet bulk at a warning screen from a legitimately purchased program.
If it weren’t for the fact that there are too many laws already, I would advocate that people have to have a licence to own a computer and that getting a licence would involve taking a competency test. But the last thing we need is yet another law. It’s just that we have two many idiots out there. I wouldn’t dream of running anything that wasn’t open source.
March 14th, 2005 at 3:57 pm
What about AIM software from before “February 5 last year”?.
I still use a real old version because it didnt have as much crap, like wallpapers or whatever. AIM is/was a communication tool for me, not a way to impress my friends.
March 14th, 2005 at 4:33 pm
they must have thought that would be far enough back XD
your still screwed…
I suggest everyone move the alternative messengers with advanced features ^_^;; ICQ is good… but so it msn or yahoo.
March 14th, 2005 at 4:55 pm
WTF…. AOL is so stupid…
well, i guess I’ll start using something else to chat…. fuck aim….
March 14th, 2005 at 6:52 pm
looks like there is still hope for the “sheep”…..
March 16th, 2005 at 2:26 pm
Well I can honestly say that when my contract with AOL comes up for re newing , I can put my hand on my heart and say… “STUFF YOU AOL”.
This is just another nail in there coffin as far as I am concerned.
Brian
March 16th, 2005 at 6:36 pm
I think that if people are going to complain about a move that a company makes to further better itself to its customers-those people who are not very good with computers-then all the crap from those who are all high and mighty should at least use the correct form of there (there, their, they’re). For god’s sake go ride a bike or something, your skin is making be squint.
March 16th, 2005 at 7:25 pm
This policy only applies to public areas. AOL does not monitor or read private communications, as they point out in great detail in their privacy policy.
http://www.aim.com/tos/privacy_policy.adp
Also, they have posted a rebuttal to this article and others of its kind, here. http://www.aim.com/tos/tos2.adp
You’re calling other people sheep? And here you are, flying off the handle without collecting the facts first… Seems like a good example of sheep behavior to me.
Go check the facts BEFORE you start getting angry, people. Else you’re no better than Them.
March 17th, 2005 at 4:24 am
You had to sign a contract to subscribe to AOL?
Dude….what the hell is that?