HP is rolling out "HP Touchpoint Analytics Service" onto computers without user consent:
Lenovo has only just settled a massive $3.5 million fine for preinstalling adware on laptops without users' consent, and now it seems HP is getting in on the stealth installation action, too. According to numerous reports gathered by Computer World, the brand is deploying a telemetry client on customer computers without asking permission.
The software -- first identified on November 15 -- is called "HP Touchpoint Analytics Service" and appears to replace the self-managed HP Touchpoint Manager solution. According to the official productivity description, it features "the tools you need to ensure all your managed devices' security -- and brings you greater peace of mind". The problem is, it's installing itself without permission and is wreaking havoc on customers' systems.
Also at Computerworld and gHacks.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by RS3 on Wednesday November 29 2017, @03:27PM (1 child)
MicroSoft have been doing this for years, as I think we all know, especially with Windows 10. https://soylentnews.org/article.pl?sid=17/08/10/1838224 [soylentnews.org]
Personally I find this spying, data collection, "telemetry", etc., deplorable and should be criminal. USA have some consumer protection laws, EU are ahead with better, stronger, broader protections (not that anybody obeys the laws).
If MS gets away with it, why should HP, or anyone else, not be allowed to?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 29 2017, @04:08PM
yeah! we can get ahead of these corrupt companies by rolling back net neutrality, and the consumers can win and ensure at least their network traffic remains private too! then cut their taxes so they can invest in cost savings that will trickle down to the slow lanes we can't afford!!
wait