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FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

arstechnica.com

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Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#31

Post by tedunangst »

rayiner wrote: post #14

For people wondering why there was no hefty fine, it's probably because the FTC had no authority to impose one. Except with regard to children, the FTC isn't specifically empowered to protect "privacy rights." The FTC brought a complaint against Lenovo under Section 5 of the FTC Act, which addresses "unfair competition" and "unfair practices." Historically, that meant false advertising or other abusive practices set…

HN: I don't like secret laws.

Also HN: I don't like when they don't invent secret laws to punish people I'm mad at.

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#32

Post by FussyZeus »

eljimmy wrote: post #27
FussyZeus wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love, love love my Windows desktop (home built BEAST for gaming) but anytime I'm doing work, I have my Macbook at my palms. Unless Apple continues to tank the Macbook (I currently have the Pro 2014 model) I'll never buy a Windows laptop again.

Same deal for me. Although I'm likely moving back to Linux for work once this Macbook bites the dust.

My problem is open source linux on laptops (for me anyway) has always been a freaking train wreck. Issues with Wifi, battery life is shit, etc.

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#33

Post by myopinions »

AlexeyBrin wrote: post #22
raverbashing wrote: post #4

Buying a windows laptop these days seems like putting your hand in an Alligator Gar filled bog (also see the other post about the Synaptics driver) And restoring from the OEM copy is no guarantee it will be clear of all the preinstalled crap

Your best bet is to buy a laptop from Microsoft (no 3rd party software) or buy an extra Windows license and do a fresh install.

I'm not sure if that's safe either. I installed Windows 10 recently and the install included apps like Facebook and Twitter. In fact a good portion of the start menu was essentially mini-billboards.

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#34

Post by quuquuquu »

maxxxxx wrote: post #21
quuquuquu wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

During the peak of frothy VC investments, our hypothetical couch startup will have the money to hire ML and AI experts. 1) Sell the couch at a loss. 2) Acquire customer voice data. 3) Run it through ML/AI 4) ???? 5) Pivot the company.

You could have some inflatable cushions that can only be controlled by the cloud.

Great idea!

This way when the company shuts down, your cushions are stuck in one position, unless you hotwire the couch :)

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#35

Post by dmoy »

tedunangst wrote: post #31
rayiner wrote: post #14

For people wondering why there was no hefty fine, it's probably because the FTC had no authority to impose one. Except with regard to children, the FTC isn't specifically empowered to protect "privacy rights." The FTC brought a complaint against Lenovo under Section 5 of the FTC Act, which addresses "unfair competition" and "unfair practices." Historically, that meant false advertising or other abusive practices set…

HN: I don't like secret laws. Also HN: I don't like when they don't invent secret laws to punish people I'm mad at.

How is a law giving the ftc more power here a secret law?

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#36

Post by KekDemaga »

quuquuquu wrote: post #34
maxxxxx wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You could have some inflatable cushions that can only be controlled by the cloud.

Great idea! This way when the company shuts down, your cushions are stuck in one position, unless you hotwire the couch :)

Not so fast hackerman, you'd be in violation of the DMCA should you hack the couch DRM.

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#37

Post by kortex »

myopinions wrote: post #33
AlexeyBrin wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Your best bet is to buy a laptop from Microsoft (no 3rd party software) or buy an extra Windows license and do a fresh install.

I'm not sure if that's safe either. I installed Windows 10 recently and the install included apps like Facebook and Twitter. In fact a good portion of the start menu was essentially mini-billboards.

That's disgusting.

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#38

Post by quuquuquu »

KekDemaga wrote: post #36
quuquuquu wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great idea! This way when the company shuts down, your cushions are stuck in one position, unless you hotwire the couch :)

Not so fast hackerman, you'd be in violation of the DMCA should you hack the couch DRM.

What if I run a service that merely distributes instructions on how to "interact with" the couch DRM?

Will I be tried for criminal charges outside the US, and then extrajudicially extradited from my home in Cambodia?? [1]

[1]https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gottfrid_Svartholm

Re: FTC slaps Lenovo on the wrist for selling computers with secret adware

#40

Post by lorenzhs »

sevensor wrote: post #10

Personally, they've lost my business. I used and loved Thinkpads for many years, but I no longer use them and now recommend against their purchase. Lenovo has a huge trust gap to repair.

While I agree that Superfish was a disaster, keep in mind that it did not affect the ThinkPad line at all. From what I heard, the consumer and business lines have strong separation inside Lenovo. I have lost all trust in their consumer division, too. But it seems silly to me to discount ThinkPads based on the malware bundled with Lenovo's consumer offerings.
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