#251578 - 14/03/2005 00:06
Warning to AOL IM users...
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 05/01/2001
Posts: 4903
Loc: Detroit, MI USA
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Check this story out.... I wonder if they'll change their policy if enough people make a stink about this.. Quote:
The revamped terms of service, which apply only to users who downloaded the free AIM software on or after Feb. 5, 2004, gives AOL the right to "reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote" all content distributed across the chat network by users.
"You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses," according to the AIM terms-of-service.
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Brad B.
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#251579 - 14/03/2005 08:32
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
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addict
Registered: 05/05/2000
Posts: 623
Loc: Cambridge
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This sounds like when Microsoft had similar terms for passport that lead many to think they wanted to claim ownership of all your email (they probably did).
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#251580 - 14/03/2005 15:08
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 15/01/2002
Posts: 1866
Loc: Austin
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This applies only to their forums.
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#251581 - 14/03/2005 18:03
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
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old hand
Registered: 23/07/2003
Posts: 869
Loc: Colorado
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Also, people may want to note that since AIM uses ROT-26 encryption, pretty much anyone can "reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote" anything you transmit over it.
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Dave
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#251582 - 15/03/2005 02:12
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: SE_Sport_Driver]
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new poster
Registered: 27/10/2004
Posts: 15
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I'm curious as to why you think they shouldn't be entitled to exactly that? Your using their software, over their data network, and paying nothing to do it.
What ever happened to people understanding "Nothing's free"?
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#251583 - 15/03/2005 02:56
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: TerryMathews]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14496
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
What ever happened to people understanding "Nothing's free"?
Err, I don't recall anyone disputing that point (?). But some things are private, even when they're not free. Like telephone conversations, surface/air mail, sex (in the flesh), SMS (aka. "text-messaging"), etc..
Most users would expect IM to fall into that category.
Cheers
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#251584 - 15/03/2005 03:56
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: webroach]
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addict
Registered: 29/06/2002
Posts: 531
Loc: Triangle, VA
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I really dont know how secure it is, but I use trillian for my IM'n and for aim it has a SecureIM feature for communicating with other trillian users.
_________________________
-D
Modifying and Tweaking is a journey,
not a destination................................
MKIIa : 60gig - 040103286 - Blue - v2 + PCATS tuner
MKIIa : 20gig - 040103260 - Blue - v3a8 + Mark Lord Special Edition Cherry Dock
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#251585 - 15/03/2005 03:58
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: mlord]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/02/2002
Posts: 3212
Loc: Portland, OR
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Quote:
Quote:
What ever happened to people understanding "Nothing's free"?
Err, I don't recall anyone disputing that point (?). But some things are private, even when they're not free. Like telephone conversations, surface/air mail, sex (in the flesh), SMS (aka. "text-messaging"), etc...
Most users would expect IM to fall into that category.
Of course, given that IM happens on a public network, one might think that users ought to expect it to be in the same category as having a cellphone conversation in restaurant, sending a post-card, sex (in the flesh -- in a park), etc, which are also free and non-private (although the sex involves privates, and may not be free if one needs to visit the doctor, because one doesn't know what poison oak/ivy looks like). 
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#251587 - 15/03/2005 17:23
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: mlord]
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new poster
Registered: 27/10/2004
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Quote:
What ever happened to people understanding "Nothing's free"?
Err, I don't recall anyone disputing that point (?). But some things are private, even when they're not free. Like telephone conversations, surface/air mail, sex (in the flesh), SMS (aka. "text-messaging"), etc..
Most users would expect IM to fall into that category.
Most AIM users are idiots too. To have an expectation of privacy over AOL's network is absurd. It's like going to a friend's house and expecting that he won't see or hear anything you do.
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#251588 - 15/03/2005 17:34
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: TerryMathews]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14496
Loc: Canada
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Well, as it turns out.. in today's news: apparently AOL agrees with the idea that private IMs should remain mostly private.
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#251589 - 15/03/2005 18:30
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: mlord]
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pooh-bah
Registered: 15/01/2002
Posts: 1866
Loc: Austin
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they did not intend to monitor IM conversations. it applied to their forums. they didnt do a 180 and suddenly agree on the privacy of IM conversation.
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#251590 - 15/03/2005 19:20
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: SonicSnoop]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 08/06/1999
Posts: 7868
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Quote:
I really dont know how secure it is, but I use trillian for my IM'n and for aim it has a SecureIM feature for communicating with other trillian users.
It's vunerable to a man in the middle attack. And since AOL could be the man in the middle with all messages going through their servers, it's not overly secure. And of course encrypted IM is a joke anyhow. The 3rd party clients need to start working togther on one secure standard, not one that on;y sees implementation in a program.
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#251591 - 15/03/2005 19:25
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: mlord]
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new poster
Registered: 27/10/2004
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Well, as it turns out.. in today's news: apparently AOL agrees with the idea that private IMs should remain mostly private.
Say what you want, but I still contend that you have no reasonable expectation of privacy v. AOL while communicating on their network. If you were paying for service, maybe. But by simple contact law, you have no agreement with AOL because no money has changed hands between you and AOL.
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#251592 - 15/03/2005 20:32
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: Ezekiel]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 13/02/2002
Posts: 3212
Loc: Portland, OR
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Quote:
Quote:
(although the sex involves privates, and may not be free if one needs to visit the doctor, because one doesn't know what poison oak/ivy looks like)
Hmm, that sounds a bit autobiographical... 
Fortunately, no. Just a random tidbit that sounded funny. Besides... I'm smart enough to carry a blanket.
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#251593 - 15/03/2005 21:07
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: TerryMathews]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 29/08/2000
Posts: 14496
Loc: Canada
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Quote:
because no money has changed hands
How very USAian!
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#251595 - 16/03/2005 01:04
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: webroach]
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new poster
Registered: 27/10/2004
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
because no money has changed hands
How very USAian!
Not to mention showing a decided lack of understanding when it comes to contract law.
If you say so, but they disagree. Money isn't the only possible consideration, as promises or services can also be considerations in a contract.
The true question is, for there to be a valid contract between a user and AOL, the user would have to give something back to AOL. They provide the client software and data network. What do you provide? I don't exactly think "using their service" counts as a consideration.
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#251596 - 16/03/2005 14:23
Re: Warning to AOL IM users...
[Re: TerryMathews]
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carpal tunnel
Registered: 25/12/2000
Posts: 16706
Loc: Raleigh, NC US
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That would apparently be Australian law. The US Uniform Commercial Code states that a purchase "includes taking by sale, discount, negotiation, mortgage, pledge, lien, issue or re-issue, gift or any other voluntary transaction creating an interest in property." (Emphasis mine.)
_________________________
Bitt Faulk
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