Bing Cashback Can Cost You Money

paltemalte writes "Microsoft and various retailers have teamed up to bring you cashback on purchases made via Bing's price comparison feature. There is a little snag, though — it seems that when you have a Bing cookie living in your browser, some retailers will quote you a higher price than if you come with no Bing cookie in your system."

Comments

Transcribed PDF from Microsoft Legal

[Ethanol-fueled]

Looks like Microsoft already tried to silence him. Here's a partial transcript of the letter sent to him from Microsoft legal after a prior post:

"This firm represents Microsoft blah blah blah you're violating our rights.

Specifically, at this site you are providing information directing users how to misuse the Microsoft Bing Cashback program through unauthorized technical means. Further, on this website you admit that you have personally misused the Cashback program in this regard. Microsoft believes that your actions and the direction that you are providing to others regarding this method of misuse violates various laws relating to computer intrusion, unauthorized access and unauthorized use of information. For example...directing users how to misuse the Cashback program constitutes a knowing and unpermitted access of data in order to wrongfully obtain money and is also unpermitted assistance in providing a means of accessing a computer, system, or network in violation of California Penal Code S502(c)*. This conduct would also violate provisions of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, Fraud and Related Activity in Connection With Access Devices, and common law principles under state law.

Microsoft views the misuse of its programs...cease and decist...blah blah...."

Looks like they're taking cues from Best Buy.

* CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE 502(c) "COMPREHENSIVE COMPUTER DATA ACCESS AND FRAUD ACT"
(1) Knowingly accesses and without permission alters, damages, deletes, destroys, or otherwise uses any data, computer, computer system, or computer network in order to either (A) devise or execute any scheme or artifice to defraud, deceive, or extort, or (B) wrongfully control or obtain money, property, or data.

Hmm, so Microsoft isn't trying to wrongfully control or obtain money? Last I checked, the class-action against Best-Buy was approved. Posting a blog post is tantamount to being an elite hacker who broke into a network and stole trade secrets or money?

Re:I think I speak for us all when I say...

[recoiledsnake]

I think you speak for all the modpoint-milking karma whores...

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[inode_buddha]

Looks like you got your wish. I'm sure there's a beowulf cluster working on it as I write. Maybe next time you should invoke Natalie Portman naked and petrified with hot grits.

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[LordAndrewSama]

well, looks like you got what you were expecting. :)

and to stay on topic

Is it legal/possible to use the cashback and wipe the cookie? I haven't RTFA or anything, but it sounds like they're profiting purely from users not knowing about cookies, and they have no legal recourse if someone edits/deletes a cookie on their own machine?

Re:That's for the fake transactions exploit.

[roguetrick]

Hey guys, can I join the Karma Killing Party!