WhenU spyware

There is a difference between spyware and keyloggers. There is also a difference in what information is collected and how it is used. Adaware is supposed to detect malicious software that installs itself and monitors habits and serves ads or reports on that information. Computer based surveillance on an individual does not necessarily fit into that category (e.g. Is my spouse cheating on me? Let's find out...)

It is far beyond the capabilities of most people to write their own software to monitor their own computers for that type of thing. I don't blame adaware for de-listing that kind of software. (i.e. There the question is one of scope - what is it supposed to do?)

The question is also relevant for WhenU --  WhenU is supposed to be an opt-in type of monitor. That doesn't make sense for Adaware to list it as spyware. If you opt in to something, or knowingly install something, then that's your business. Adaware is doing nothing wrong by de-listing honest business people who inform their users about their products.

The bodyguard example is not really valid here as it is given above. It's more like hiring a bodyguard that will introduce assassins to the person without harming them. The person being protected may want to hire the assassin.

Have a closer look at WhenU and you'll see what their products are. Don't just buy into the whole "anti-spyware" feeding frenzy.

Relevent ads is a good thing and directly benefits consumers. If you are not an expert on a certain topic, and you get ads on it, then you are in a better position to be informed, which directly benefits your ability to choose the right product for you, which likely extends your buying power and gets you a better value.

Right now I think that the technological implementations are a bit on the boogery side of things, including Google's adwords. They encourage bidding, and I'm not too sure that this directly benfits consumers as it only addresses who has the most money and can bid the highest for ads - which completely ignores quality (which is almost impossible to address). Maybe something like a consumer watchdog sponsored XML based service might help to provide some standards for consumer reviews and feedback on products that web spiders or ad servers could reference and factor into how they serve ads.

I'm am no fan of "advertising" and the way it has been perverted into a sick and twisted way of associating any product with sex, popularity, blah blah blah. But the function of informing consumers is still a valid and necessary one.  We shouldn't punish people for trying to help in a way that makes them money.