Spyware: Difference between revisions
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==Why it is a problem== | ==Why it is a problem== | ||
Spyware, as the name | Spyware, as the name suggests, spies on the device, which contains the user's data. Spyware is inherently negative for users' privacy. As companies like [[Microsoft]], [[Meta]] and [[Google]] are collecting more information on consumers(either by legal or illegal means), they make users less secure & more susceptible to data breaches/leaks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Jan 2026 |title=Data Breaches 2025: Biggest Cybersecurity Incidents So Far |url=https://www.pkware.com/blog/recent-data-breaches |access-date=31 Jan 2026 |website=pkware.com}}</ref> | ||
===Spyware & data collection from a consumer rights perspective:=== | ===Spyware & data collection from a consumer rights perspective:=== | ||
====Lack of transparency from companies:==== | ====Lack of transparency from companies:==== | ||
A lack of transparency on a consumers ability to opt-out of data collection if even possible is quite common among popular services | A lack of transparency on a consumers ability to opt-out of data collection if even possible is quite common among popular services. | ||
For example, a usage of [[Deceptive language frequently used against consumers]] or simply hiding things in the terms of service may be enough trick a consumer into thinking there is nothing wrong with the service or may be enough to prevent/discourage a consumer from learning what a company does with their data & what data they collect.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Libbey |first=Madeline |last2=Micek |first2=Peter |last3=Cheng |first3=Sage |date= |title=Going dark: companies today release fewer transparency reports, less data |url=https://www.accessnow.org/going-dark-companies-today-release-fewer-transparency-reports-less-data/ |access-date=2026-02-01 |website=accessnow.org}}</ref> | For example, a usage of [[Deceptive language frequently used against consumers]] or simply hiding things in the terms of service may be enough trick a consumer into thinking there is nothing wrong with the service or may be enough to prevent/discourage a consumer from learning what a company does with their data & what data they collect.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Libbey |first=Madeline |last2=Micek |first2=Peter |last3=Cheng |first3=Sage |date= |title=Going dark: companies today release fewer transparency reports, less data |url=https://www.accessnow.org/going-dark-companies-today-release-fewer-transparency-reports-less-data/ |access-date=2026-02-01 |website=accessnow.org}}</ref> | ||