Firefoxers howl as privacy add-on auto updates with 'bloatware'

[JMH]

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 TACO

Source -
Firefoxers howl as privacy add-on auto updates with 'bloatware' • The Register

 

[Dave76]

Sorry to hear that, another one bits the dust.

It's a sad state of affairs when bloatware comes in a 'update'.

 

[Lomai]

 

[niemiro]

Oh dear. I do think that some people have overreacted though.

 

[electrotune1200]

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?

 

[BCXtreme]

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.

 

[FerchogtX]

I use Firefox... and I don't have such problems... are they downloading from official site?

See ya!!

 

[BCXtreme]

I use Firefox... and I don't have such problems... are they downloading from official site?

See ya!!

In case you misunderstood, the complaint is not with Firefox itself, but rather with a popular third-party extension/addon for Firefox.

 

[Flattyraccoon]

Before people bash on Abine, be sure to read this articlehttp://www.velvetcache.org/2010/06/...w.velvetcache.org/2010/06/17/forking-taco-2-0

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 :/

 

[BCXtreme]

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 :/

That's nice, but they should give you the option to install the de-bloated version BEFORE you update. Having to install the update, then deal with the sudden explosion of unwanted software, then uninstall, and have to reinstall another version is more than one should have to go through just to get what they had when they started, don't you think?

 

[FerchogtX]

I use Firefox... and I don't have such problems... are they downloading from official site?

See ya!!

In case you misunderstood, the complaint is not with Firefox itself, but rather with a popular third-party extension/addon for Firefox.

XD Now I got it... thanks for clarifying

See ya!!

 

[Flattyraccoon]

Indeed they should have, although I was mostly stating that for the people who said they are done using TACO. Mainly since they couldn't believe the developer would do such a thing.

 

[Souljacker]

Well it is a little ridiculous. Some of these add-ons out there are getting out of control, and the line between legitimate\useful programs and just flat out bloatware is getting blurred.

I think that Mozilla should be keeping a closer eye on these add ons.

 

[Pikey]

So hands up then all Firefox users who have this installed? .. anybody?

joking aside .. I've been using Firefox for a few years now and I've never heard of it ..

 

[stormy13]

So hands up then all Firefox users who have this installed? .. anybody?

Installed? Never even heard about this extension till this thread.

 

[BCXtreme]

So hands up then all Firefox users who have this installed? .. anybody?

Installed? Never even heard about this extension till this thread.

Nor did I.

 

[Zoloft]

I actually did have it installed, but uninstalled and switched to beef taco as mentioned above. Got tired of all the "girls in las vegas who want to date you" type adds that seem to mystify adblock.

 

[Product FRED]

I can understand where they're coming from. The developers should, by default, advertise the original version (2.0) and the new version (3.0). 3.0 could be considered "PLUS" or something generic like that.

 

[Win7User512]

Um...be careful what you download?

 

[Product FRED]

Yes, but nobody could have possibly seen this coming.