Opera Contains Spyware?
Friday, 23. May 2008, 15:42:36
http://linuxtnt.wordpress.com/2008/02/17/opera-browser-contains-spyware/
seems to think so!
I made a couple of comments (with replies from "BKB") comparing and contrasting Opera's display of an uninstall form to Firefox's display of a post-upgrade notice. Neither are requested by the user, and both send identical information, in the form of the usual HTTP headers sent for every web request you make in any browser, back to their respective companies. (Unless, of course, the user decides to fill in Opera's form and submit it - that's entirely up to the user.) IE does something similar on a regular basis too (usually after an update). That's no different either. None of it is spyware.
Sadly, balance seems to be a missing feature on that site, as my comments have since been unceremoniously deleted
I wish I'd kept a screenshot. I'd actually thought about it, knowing how sensitive anti-Opera zealots can be. The best I can do is how it looks right now ( http://files.myopera.com/Andrew%20Gregory/blog/linuxnt20080217.png ). If you're wondering why BKB has suddenly piped up after three months and mentioned Firefox with no prior reference - that would be me.
Please don't bug BKB with any further comments. They aren't wanted and will just be deleted.
I started writing this to express my anger and frustration, and to ensure my thoughts on this matter didn't disappear entirely! As I finish this, I'm just sad.
seems to think so!
I made a couple of comments (with replies from "BKB") comparing and contrasting Opera's display of an uninstall form to Firefox's display of a post-upgrade notice. Neither are requested by the user, and both send identical information, in the form of the usual HTTP headers sent for every web request you make in any browser, back to their respective companies. (Unless, of course, the user decides to fill in Opera's form and submit it - that's entirely up to the user.) IE does something similar on a regular basis too (usually after an update). That's no different either. None of it is spyware.
Sadly, balance seems to be a missing feature on that site, as my comments have since been unceremoniously deleted
I wish I'd kept a screenshot. I'd actually thought about it, knowing how sensitive anti-Opera zealots can be. The best I can do is how it looks right now ( http://files.myopera.com/Andrew%20Gregory/blog/linuxnt20080217.png ). If you're wondering why BKB has suddenly piped up after three months and mentioned Firefox with no prior reference - that would be me.
Please don't bug BKB with any further comments. They aren't wanted and will just be deleted.
I started writing this to express my anger and frustration, and to ensure my thoughts on this matter didn't disappear entirely! As I finish this, I'm just sad.
WIDGETIZE