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New PS3 Firmware Contains Backdoor
Vectormatic noted the rumor floating around that the most recent PS3 patch has a backdoor, and "Sony can now remotely execute code on the PS3 as soon as you connect. This can do whatever Sony wants it to do, such as verifying system files or searching for homebrew. Sony can change the code and add new detection methods without any firmware updates."
Makes you wonder how safe is it really to use these "game console" things, which is really a computer with no local rights to OS control.
Build your own energy sources from scratch. http://otherpower.com/
Yeah, I think the only thing that Sony has done wrong is remove the "Other OS" option. They probably should not have included it in the first place. But other than that, Sony has basically sold you:
-A black box capable of playing games
-You have to pay $60 per new game
-If you want to play online, you can't cheat
This firmware doesn't change any of this, so why get upset? If you wanted a general purpose computer that you control the software stack on, then buy a PC and roll your own Linux kernel.
Actually, that sort of verbiage can negate a contract or agreement. It has to have a definitive nature at the time of agreement and it needs notice for the change so you can either negotiate new terms or end the same if you don't agree with the new changes. Any verbiage that allows the contract to change so much on a whim as you're implying renders the contract null and void as there's no way to be able to be in compliance with the terms at any given time.
I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a Citizen of the State of Texas
Is it just me, or I could swear that I 'bought' my ps3 and it said nothing about a cable box like rental on the box. Why is it so hard for Sony to understand that this is my property and to leave it well enough alone?
Excellent idea. Just delete your PSN login and disable automatic updates, and you're fine.
Err, until then, you do realize that you keep logging into their property and as long as you do, you're explicitly agreeing to their conditions, right?
If they want to arbitrarily execute code on other people's property it crosses the line to hacking and that's criminal to in most jurisdictions.
... apparently not.
What they have done is no different that the cable company demanding root level access to your computer in order to go online.
Sure. And that's not illegal. You'd be wise to tell the cable company to fark off, however, and get a different service provider. Of course, if you want to access the cable company's private servers (i.e. "PSN"), then a different service provider won't work for you. But you have that choice, you know, it being your property and their servers being their property.
Basically, I'm not sure if you quite see the irony in loudly insisting that the PS3 is your property and Sony should leave it alone, while simultaneously demanding unfettered condition-free access to Sony's property.
Well, I personally don't accept Sony stealing from their customers *even though this time that customer wasn't me*.
Sony first advertised OtherOS (combined with the ability to play new games and the ability to get on PSN) and then removed this.
Theft.
I don't voluntarily give money to thieves, even if they so far haven't stolen from me.
So I've boycotted Sony, and they can say bye bye to the $1000+ per year I used to spend with them.
Whether "lots of people" are happy with them is immaterial - I was happy with what they delivered, until they started stealing from people.
Doubting the existence of evolution is like doubting the existence of China: It just shows that you're uninformed.