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Spyware Critics Respond to iDownload/iSearch

Posted by timothy on from the pesky-vikings dept.

Paul Laudanski writes "Slashdot ran an article earlier on 'iDownload Tries to Silence Spyware Critics'. Since then, the spyware critics have responded to iDownload: CastleCops, NetRN, and Sunbelt Software. InternetWeek and BroadbandReports have picked up this story as well. Brian Livingston interviewed iDownload's CEO Arlo Gilbert, who claims the letters were a success: "The majority of sites we've contacted have taken down or properly classified iSearch" and "When asked to name some of the sites that had complied, Gilbert answered, "I'm not going to share that information. It would be shooting a gift horse in the mouth."" General overview by Kye-U and Zhen-Xjell."

4 of 253 comments (clear)

  1. Some little details by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Postal Mail:

    iDownload.com
    1180 Avenue of the Americas
    14th Floor
    New York, NY 10036

    For toll free billing support or if you know your party's extension dial: 1-800-844-5919

    AND the leech lawyers

    http://www.ssjmlaw.com

    4330 South Mopac, Suite 150
    Austin, Texas 78735
    (Travis & Williamson Cos.)

    Telephone: 512-347-1604
    Dallas: 214-800-2898
    Fax: 512-347-1676

    Tell em what you think, IANAL but I think free speech applies to private phone calls.

    If in doubt, don't do it. But I am going to tell them what I think.

  2. Account of iSearch malware/spyware damage by AtariAmarok · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here is a frightening account of iSearch's damage to someone's computer: click here. "Spyware" is too innocuous a term for this. It's not a spy: it is a file assassin.

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
  3. I like the Abusive Hosts Blocking List article... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.ahbl.org/notices/isearch.php

    It's a second-level link from here. I'm putting the link in this post because some people may not see it and it's definitely worth reading like all good horror stories are.

  4. Everybody who got the cease'n'desist can sue! by JimMarch(equalccw) · · Score: 5, Informative

    Does anybody else remember how Diebold Election Systems had to pay over six figures to a group of ISPs/webhosts who they sent fraudulent cease'n'desists to in order to shut down public debate?

    http://blog.jimmywales.com/index.php/archives/20 04 /10/11/online-policy-group-v-diebold-decision/

    http://www.eff.org/legal/ISP_liability/OPG_v_Die bo ld/

    This strikes me as being VERY similar to both the Diebold case and various "SLAPP suits" (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). It's all about fraudulently using the courts or threats of same to halt public discussion and debate.

    The courts DO NOT like that shit at all.