POL System Scan Privacy Issues? OP Updated 5:39am EST Mar 9Follow

Privacy laws? My friends, if you use a computer, the word "Privacy" does NOT exist.

Businesses and school collect all information you put into their computers and they DON'T Have to tell you they do it. And they can do with it whatever the f**k they want with it.

Not to mention, I've seen entities go on so far as to try to HACK into a home computer to see what someone is doing.

My school says they don't check anything students do, but I know for a fact they have logged into several things I own (my email) without my consent. All the computers have Spyware that does exactly what POL does now. Except they do it 24/7. And they can take over your computer, remotely, and do whatever the hell they feel like. Not to mention, this spyware-type software installs itself into any external device you put into the computers-namely USB Flash Drives.

My school has even gone so far to attempt to connect to my computer wirelessly (the head of the tech department lives on my street, sadly). I've had to shut down my wireless connection totally to prevent her from doing that (which, in turn, no one can play DS Online XD).

Oh, and lets not get into how biased the school gets about this. I mean, when 4-5-6 students walk into the SAME ROOM, and log into the Internet under the SAME NAME, that has such a name kids shouldn't be logging into it (adult Patron), and get into blocked games like RuneScape, you THINK THAT WOULD RAISE A RED FLAG, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE SCANNING THEY DO.........

.....that was more of a rant about my school....still though, if Schools and Businesses can get away with checking peoples emails and logging into their accounts, 10 bucks says SE can get away with scanning your processes.

Hey Pawk welcome back to totally missing the point. That "Stake in the heart of her argument". What a joke, no where there does it say, "we will monitor process' outside of of our software and collect data that does not pertain to our software.".

Again you are only making yourself look more and more idiotic by continuing to post things that you clearly have no idea how they work.

You sir would be at the top of that "useless" list. You continue to prove that point with everyone of your posts where you describe the ToS and EULA since none of that will hold up in court since it is breaking state laws.

You are right, SE is wrong. Is that what you want to hear? Well it is true, so there ya' go. And many of you are making very good arguments. And yes, the principles of it all etc. etc., But it really isn't that big of a deal. O.o

Why don't you go check out those 2000+ dat files SE just made for you, and I'm sure in half the time it takes you to check out all the new content, SE will have gotten around to addressing the ToS. No big deal. Stop acting like it deserves a class action lawsuit.

Also, Console gaming > PC gaming. :P

There is no reason you should not be enjoying the day. SE is not poaching your credit card info, or stealing your soul or w/e. IF it did go further then this in regards to privacy invasion, or IF they had some malicious intent then yeah sure, make a big deal out of it.

Honestly though, I don't foresee Bush or anyone else, citing the standards of SE in regards to FFXI, and using that to pass some invasive law. It's just user statistics. And they don't really seem to even bother citing things nowadays anyway, it's just "Here, have this Patriot Act, it's good for you."

And if they actually do ban some people for third party related matters... Good, the game needs less endgamers and more newbs. :P

My bad, I'm still asleep. But you are correct, there is no better way to get your point across than posting sections of the EULA that don't even apply to the argument.

Not true in the slightest.


If you are sending email across their system, they are completely within their rights to allow approved software to scan your email for potential security threats to their system.

"take over your computer, remotely, and do whatever the hell they feel like" is pretty much expressly forbidden by anti-intrusion legislation, assuming you meant "without consent"

Spyware legislation also exists. If you're this in the dark, and what you claim is true, I suggest you do your research and defend your rights.


"The head of the tech department" != "My school"
If a private individual is attempting to access your wireless connection, I a) suggest you use WAP encryption, b) suggest you look into your ISP's terms of service regarding such signal piggybacking, and c) also suggest you look into your state's legislation regarding this issue. I've never had to deal with this outside of the state level, so I've never looked into the federal regulations thereof...



Many school IT departments have authorized accounts which can access sites blocked by the school's filtering systems. They have various purposes, but the main reasons I can think of that my husband uses his (as he works for the IT dept of a school board) is to 1. verify that a blocked site should be blocked, outside of whatever NetNannyish list they're provided 2. allow access to sites that provide software or information useful to their network security, but potentially harmful from other locations within the network (and to a lesser extent 3. visit all those websites you wish you could visit when they're on break simply because they're NOT subject to your school/district's internet usage agreement - at least not the same one students are restricted by). Futhermore such an account being accessible by students is considered a security breach, and should be reported. Unless an admin is specifically checking the login times and locations of that particular account, there's no reason to flag it, as it (as an all-access account) cannot do anything that would be flagged...



Wait... no, they still can't commit crimes legally.

Have you even bothered to read your school's internet usage terms?


Edited for typos, spelling mistakes, and clarification.

Edited, Mar 9th 2007 8:21am by Arketa

So it would be ok if they ban you, and mention it's because they detected 3rd party cheat tools on your PC?

Technically you would still have a case since they used information obtained illegally in that case. It would just be a very time consuming and tough legal battle.

Good read so far, interesting view points.

Just letting you all know I am doing my part to rate the trolls down. Have a good one.

I totally agree with the "this is a total violation of my rights" camp. Although I don't run any 3rd party tools, or windower, etc, I do run many pieces of software that process protected info, such as my CC info, personal info, bank info, etc. Many of these run all the time, and thus would have information resident in my computers memory. Since I don't know what types of data specifically is being looked at, it makes me nervous as to what info is vulnerable on my PC. I will be installing ProcessGuard, but I don't think I should have to.

I think the point that many are missing is how this info is protected at SE. While its probably true that SE is storing this info for use in a benign sense, and not planning to sell or allow it to get out, it is possible that info could be leaked, or stolen. Not a week goes by that some news article doesn't come out describing some security breach where thousands of people's personal records were compromised. All of these companies claimed to have good security measures, yet the info was still compromised. While SE may claim to protect this data, what is to say that it couldn't get lost/stolen just like in these other cases? At least in the former case, I knew exactly what info of mine was compromised, and could take actions appropriately based on that fact. The not knowing part is what is dangerous.

From a legal standpoint, while SE is clearly in violation of the law, its a David versus Goliath scenario. Yea, if SE banned you because of illegally obtained info, they are liable. However, proving that fact will be difficult. Since the damages may be low, most lawyers won't take the case on contingent fees, in other words, you'll be paying $200+ an hour for a lawyer. While their records have to be disclosed during discovery, that process isn't free, or quick. Just like most consumer versus corporation litigation, they have the legal manpower to drag the issue out, trying to bankrupt you into submission. That is why most corporate lawsuits on the consumer side become class actions; the lawyers are looking for a small payout over millions of customers, equals big money for them, little for you. It is possible, but are any of you seriously willing to take it to that level? While I'd love to see SE get sued for this, but honestly, I don't think they are worried about it. More than likely the lawyers wouldn't touch this unless people suffered damages first. And unless SE lets your info get out, i.e sells it or it is stolen, it is VERY difficult to prove damages.

While I'm totally against what SE is doing on principle, the best method is that which the OP has already taken. Contact the correct people in the Gov't and work it that way. If SE refuses to update their ToS, then maybe the CA state's attorney will look into it. Let's give them their 30 days, and if they don't comply, there are other ways to work the issue to protect our rights.

About Flame wars, I found something you should all think about.


http://carcino.gen.nz/images/index.php/00b9a680/463c5922



<3

Read the thread, *please*. There was no policy change, that's why it's an issue.

They slipped this scan in without updating the privacy policy. That's what has been said over and over.

Edited, Mar 9th 2007 12:53pm by ChocoBlaze