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| 19 Jun 2010 | #1 |
| | Firefoxers howl as privacy add-on auto updates with 'bloatware' Quote: Firefox users are howling that a widely-used browser add-on designed to protect them from unwanted cookie tracking has been automatically updated with what they see as overly intrusive "bloatware". On June 14, after it was acquired by a software outfit known as Abine, a new version of the TACO behavioral-ad–blocking add-on was pushed out via Mozilla's auto-update process — which means it has received Mozilla's approval — and an army of users are complaining of a kind of privacy add-on bait-and-switch. "Despicably evil move guys. Using the trusted update path to stealthily 'update' to a bloatware shareware suite is just evil. Now I have to completely blow away this profile and reinstall all my TRUSTED extensions," says one reviewer. "See how easy it is to lose trust. *snapofthefingers* gone." Speaking with The Reg, Abine has defended the upgrade, saying that Mozilla asks users for their approval before downloading the new add-on and that although the add-on installs a host of new tools, any unrelated to TACO's original cookie management mission are turned off by default. "That's why we think of it as a legitimate upgrade," co-founder and CEO Eugene Kuznetsov tells The Reg. "You need [Abine's additional cookie management tools] to maintain the level of privacy TACO gave to a year ago. Behavioral ad networks are always adding new tools and you need new tools to stop them." A Mozilla spokeswoman said: "TACO changed owners, and the new owners changed the add-on radically. It still provides the same core functionality, but the user interface is very different and there are a large number of extra features and privacy tools. The add-on update was approved by Mozilla. It is safe for users and follows our policies set forth in our Add-on Review Process." You can peruse the process here.  Abined TACOFirefoxers howl as privacy add-on auto updates with 'bloatware' • The Register |
My System Specs | |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #2 |
| | Sorry to hear that, another one bits the dust. It's a sad state of affairs when bloatware comes in a 'update'. |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #3 |
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| 19 Jun 2010 | #4 |
| | Oh dear. I do think that some people have overreacted though. |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #5 |
| | Yeah I don't understand the fuss. They had the add-on installed and it updated to something they didn't like? Doesn't this happen with most software at one point or another? I could see if they just slipped the add-on into the update without prior installation. Then they could "howl" all they want. and... Do foxes howl? |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #6 |
| | This reminds me of when Apple decided to automatically include Safari in iTunes updates to Windows users. It's highly unethical, as are the programs that automatically install the Google toolbar unless you catch it and tell them otherwise. |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #7 |
| Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit Build 7600 / Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP3 Mexico | I use Firefox... and I don't have such problems... are they downloading from official site? See ya!!  |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #8 |
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Quote: Originally Posted by FerchogtX  I use Firefox... and I don't have such problems... are they downloading from official site? See ya!! |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #9 |
| | Before people bash on Abine, be sure to read this article http://www.velvetcache.org/2010/06/17/forking-taco-2-0 After uninstalling the new 3.0 a page opened asking why and had a link to an 8kb version just like the old one. Although I use Beef Taco now since its easier to update. Abine doesn't seem evil really :/ |
| My System Specs |
| 19 Jun 2010 | #10 |
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Quote: Originally Posted by Flappyraccoon Before people bash on Abine, be sure to read this article » Forking TACO 2.0 » John Hobbs on coding, Omaha, and life in general » Blog Archive After uninstalling the new 3.0 a page opened asking why and had a link to an 8kb version just like the old one. Although I use Beef Taco now since its easier to update. Abine doesn't seem evil really :/ |
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