Telecom wants to install monitoring software on your computers

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Telecom wants to install monitoring software on your computers

juha

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Topic # 7643 1-May-2006 08:01

Would you let Telecom install a network usage monitor on your machines? Especially if Telecom won't show you what data they're collecting?

Juha

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Reply # 34343 1-May-2006 08:09

No way!!!
if they want to monitor how much speed I am using they should be able to do it from the dslam.

tonyhughes

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Reply # 34344 1-May-2006 08:17

I wonder if this had much to do with the announcement? :-P

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Reply # 34351 1-May-2006 08:56

They cant install software without your permission so i wouldnt worry too much.

juha

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Reply # 34353 1-May-2006 08:58

bradstewart: They cant install software without your permission so i wouldnt worry too much.

Mmm... that's what Sony said too, yet...

Juha

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Reply # 34354 1-May-2006 09:02

yes but telecom arent giving you music cd's with hidden software. Theres no way they can do it without illegally hacking into your computer.

juha

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Reply # 34356 1-May-2006 09:06

bradstewart: yes but telecom arent giving you music cd's with hidden software. Theres no way they can do it without illegally hacking into your computer.

Hmm... I don't think I'll listen to this "Theresa's Greatest Hits, Vol II" album that arrived today.

Juha

tonyhughes

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Reply # 34357 1-May-2006 09:13

I think it would be more along the lines of "hey.. install this peice of software if you are concerned you are not getting full speed. it might save you money"

not for me thanks...

SilentOne

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Reply # 34385 1-May-2006 13:26

On the other side, it could be a program that is only installed/used when trouble shooting technical issues like speed descrepancies, it may not even be a service installed onto your comp but a one-time executable file (eg complicated form of ping.exe).... who knows.

But yea its not much to worry about as it would be your choice to install it or not, I doubt they'll be installing it without knowledge, ie the statement by Stephen Crombie,

"The most important thing is that we want to be honest and upfront with customers and let them make that choice."

kinda does ever so slightly lean away from being the next Sony.

Then again, who really knows until its implemented.

nzbnw

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Reply # 34423 1-May-2006 17:30

Just a question, and I'm not saying I agree with this or anything, but what have you all to hide, you never know this information could help Telecom New Zealand provide better services to New Zealanders. So all you complainers out there, here is your chance to help Telecom help you?

Just a thought

nzbnw

juha

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Reply # 34424 1-May-2006 17:35

nzbnw: Just a question, and I'm not saying I agree with this or anything, but what have you all to hide, you never know this information could help Telecom New Zealand provide better services to New Zealanders. So all you complainers out there, here is your chance to help Telecom help you?

Just a thought

nzbnw

Heh. That kind of argument always pops up. If you have nothing to hide, you should reveal everything. Yeah, right. You go first then.

Just because you have full faith in a big, commercial entity doesn't mean everyone should. Think privacy laws were written just for the fun of it?

Juha

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Reply # 34427 1-May-2006 18:00

Ah, the flawed 'what do you have to hide?' argument. Typically used to justify scrapping privacy protections or laws.

The fact is that our computers are private (or would like to believe) and nether Telecom nor Xtra are welcome to install programs that monitor anything. Ah, but you must be hiding something you say - not so... but what I do on my computer is my business.

I'm venturing a guess but surely it must be possible to monitor ones usage remotely and see if he is obtaining the speeds promised.
If not, I'm scared to ask where do the numbers come from for the data usage meters.

As for 'the data you submit will help Telecom provide better service' - heard it all before for various phone home programs....

Judging from the stories here, it sounds like Telecom needs to get its house in order rather than the consumers computers.

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tonyhughes

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Reply # 34428 1-May-2006 18:09

Now if they released a nice open source app, and gave us more info, and the ability to access/control our info.... that might be a different story.

juha

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Reply # 34430 1-May-2006 18:12

tonyhughes: Now if they released a nice open source app, and gave us more info, and the ability to access/control our info.... that might be a different story.

From the article above...

Telecom doesn't plan to give customers access to this data.

Juha

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Reply # 34431 1-May-2006 18:14

Heh. That kind of argument always pops up. If you have nothing to hide, you should reveal everything. Yeah, right. You go first then.

Just because you have full faith in a big, commercial entity doesn't mean everyone should. Think privacy laws were written just for the fun of it?

Do you really think Telecom or Xtra are going to break the law in respect to privacy just for the fun of it?? And I really could not care less if Telecom / Xtra wanted to find out some information about my internet usage, but I do agree it should only be by choice.

nzbnw

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Reply # 34432 1-May-2006 18:20

If they are on the other end of the line, why do they need to install software on our computers?

I probably wouldn't have a problem if this was completely open, but its not....

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