Comments on: StumbleUpon - “See Friend Reviews” on Google - Spyware?

By: Web Design Adelaide

Web Design Adelaide — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:49:52 +0000

definately should have the option to disable it, and have it clearly.

By: Have you reached the end of the internet? « Geturgeekon’s Weblog

Have you reached the end of the internet? « Geturgeekon’s Weblog — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:01:52 +0000

[...] are those out there that think this walks a fine line between helpful and spyware, but I’m giving it a [...]

By: Kirt Andrews

Kirt Andrews — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:55:59 +0000

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By: lord xeon

lord xeon — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 17:49:39 +0000

I agree with Dustfinger to the extent that it’s not collecting any information or harming us in any way, so in that sense it’s not spyware.
However, it is being installed without the consent of the user, and no where is it told that it will appear, or how to get rid of it.

However, i find it no big deal to my privacy, SU doesn’t have much of my info, so it’s ok. Now if it was going into my Google account to get it, thats a different story.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:58:46 +0000

I totally agree with Dustfinger. You guys are getting just a little overworked about a feature that was added and maybe not documented. It happens all the time in software.

By: Dustfinger

Dustfinger — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:05:40 +0000

“intercept or take partial control over the user’s interaction with the computer”

I think you all are confusing unwanted feature with spyware. This link does not take control over your interaction with your computer in any way. It sits there an looks at you.

By: chiron613

chiron613 — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:17:17 +0000

I dunno… if it goes away by itself, then what’s it doing? What’s it reporting?

Following the suggestions in this article, I got the Google page, with no search. It showed that link. I clicked it three times, then refreshed, and it’s gone.

Assuming I even had to wait the three weeks, what sort of spying would it do? What damage is done?

Agreed - I don’t like *any* spying, reporting, phoning home, etc., without my knowledge and permission. I often will even grant that permission if asked; but I should always be asked.

I’m just kind of confused by what they think they’re doing…

By: ROFLface

ROFLface — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:39:09 +0000

@Dustfinger

It’s spyware because many people installed SumbleUpon before the most recent patch. Previous patches did not contain this “feature” and during the update process, it does not ask if we want to see the link. The user was never informed of its existence, and there is no easy method of removing this unapproved installation, thus making it spyware.

By: Dustfinger

Dustfinger — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:17:42 +0000

How is this spyware? You installed stumbleupon yourself. Yes, a little link can’t be easily removed from the page, but so what? It’s not collecting information, it’s not flashing in your face or stealing your children. It’s just sitting there, as you mentioned in the article, like all the other Google links. Why the ruckus?

By: Anonymous Coward

Anonymous Coward — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 17:55:34 +0000

Thanks for the removal info. Why the hell is there no disable checkbox?