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Claria Leaves Adware Business

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the bowing-out dept.

Alex Stern writes "In an attempt to clean up its tarnished name, Claria has hired Deutsche Bank to help them sell off the software tools that were previously supported by their adware. Claria says they are unwilling to sell the software for the GAIN ad network, or the data they have collected from their users. Claria is also holding on to their eWallet software that manages passwords. On July 1, Claria will shutdown the GAIN network and inform their users they can either uninstall their software or pay for it. Claria's new business model is 'a new platform designed to provide consumers with a personalized Internet experience.'"

8 of 149 comments (clear)

  1. Tarnished name. by Poromenos1 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I don't think you can clear a name that has been into spyware. I know I won't trust them for anything else they might do...

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    Send email from the afterlife! Write your e-will at Dead Man's Switch.
    1. Re:Tarnished name. by Reziac · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I translated the move to mean "our adware product is now so ubiquitously blocked that it's become hard to make money with it, so we're selling it to some other sucker and finding a new area to sleeze in."

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      ~REZ~ #43301. Who'd fake being me anyway?
  2. Personalized Internet experience? by gluecode · · Score: 4, Insightful

    >> Claria's new business model is 'a new platform designed to >> provide consumers with a personalized Internet experience.'" To create a personalized Internet experience, don't they have to collect more intimate user information?

  3. Why... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "Claria says they are unwilling to sell the software for the GAIN ad network, or the data they have collected from their users."

    Uh, why? Did they wake up some morning and magically get some ethics? Or are they afraid of what people will discover?

    They should get (another) name change at the same time. Most people know the relationship Claria == Gator == spyware/adware == scum.

  4. How is Spyware Legal? by SisyphusShrugged · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I have always had trouble understanding how spyware can be legal anyway...

    I mean basically the company is spying on you, its similar to if Walmart hired someone to constantly stalk you and take notes on what kind of shampoo you buy...it just does not seem logical.

    But then who said laws have to be logical, I mean the RIAA/MPAA DMCA CRAP states that for each movie/song one downloads the loss to the companies is the hundreds of thousands of dollars, doesnt really make sense does it...

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    1. Re:How is Spyware Legal? by It'sYerMam · · Score: 3, Insightful
      I mean basically the company is spying on you, its similar to if Walmart hired someone to constantly stalk you and take notes on what kind of shampoo you buy...it just does not seem logical.
      I'm assuming you don't own any supermarket loyalty cards.
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    2. Re:How is Spyware Legal? by techno-vampire · · Score: 3, Insightful
      'm assuming you don't own any supermarket loyalty cards.

      There are three differences here. First, you have to specifically request the card and fill out an application. (Most spyware installs itself without telling you.) Second,you are explicitly agreeing to let the market track your purcheses when you get the card. (Spyware doesn't even ask.) Last, you are paid for that by the discounts you get. (Spyware gives back nothing.)

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  5. The criminal is in hideout. by ZoOnI · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I guess this means they won't be liable for any legal actions. I'd like to see a sopena of their records so we can see whom they sold their illegally gotten data. I wonder how many reputable businesses use this kind of info. They have the tools and infrastructure to start another venture on the lawless wild wild web, so we can expect to see them again when the heat is off, if this is more than postering.

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    "Never say Never."