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FTC Bars Popup Backdoor Ads
zanderredux was one of several readers to note that the FTC has banned backdoor popups. This is the result of the D Squared case that we've heard a bit about in the past. The case also restricted them from sending IM ads as well.
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A few things:
a pop-up send via Windows Backdoor(tm), also known as Windows Messenger, a mostly useless service in XP that was set to default to on for some insanely stupid reason.
Your bafflement is entirely because you attribute both these opinions with one entity when, in fact, there are a great number of people here who don't always hold the same views.
Slashdot has no opinion. The readers of Slashdot have many opinions. Simply because you read them both in the same place does not mean everyone believes them both.
If however, you can find someone who does believe both, you should probably address your comments to them.
People's desire to believe they are right is much stronger than their desire to be right.
That would be the same analogy as people suing a Gun manfacture just because the gun was used in a crime. Why stop there why not sue the developer that wrote the code for Windows Messenger.
I hate to break it to you, but suing a gun manufacturer because the gun was used in a crime has been done.
I can't remember the actual case, but there was one recently where a gun maker had a model that couldn't be safely loaded: due to a design flaw, you had to take the safety off to load the weapon. This flaw was known to the gun maker who did nothing to rectify it and when the gun went off accidentally, killing (if I remember correctly) the wielder, the courts held them responsible for the consequences because they had knowingly sold an inherently flawed and unsafe product.
Now, I'm no lawyer, and if I was I wouldn't be as good as any lawyer (and lobbying firm, and campaign contributions) that Microsoft could muster, but it seems to me that you could reasonably argue that the security loopholes left wide open in the default setup of Windows XP, etc could leave Microsoft vulnerable to the same line of argument: ie, that they knowingly sell an inherently flawed and unsafe product.
"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg
They're still doing it. I guess Time/Warner is still mightier than the law. But I just went to CNN, and BAM! a big fat pop-under. Wonder if they'll be compliant any time soon? (NOTE: it ain't spyware causing this, it's actual code on the CNN.com site-- turn off popup blockers and try it, it's fun!). Hey, let's all file a complaint!
did you win a free ipod? build a case for it here
There seems to be some misunderstanding in this thread.
Please note that we are talking about the messenger service running under Windows, not the Windows Messenger IM program or web browser popup windows.
Actually, there was a group in California pushing for a corporate three-strikes law. Here's a transcript from a CNN interview with one of the proponents, and here's an article on the failure of the bill.
Oh, and for those of you who don't want to click through to that article, here are the names of the three Democrats that helped kill that bill (we expect this kind of behavior from anyone with an R after their name, right?):
Debra Bowen (D-Redondo Beach)
Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco)
Michael Machado (D-Stockton)
I believe the term is 'Whore'.
Literalism isn't a form of humor, it's you being irritating.