Saturday, March 12, 2005

Be careful what you say on AIM, you never know who might be eavesdropping

Apparently AOL has changed it's terms of service for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) that give AOL the right to use anything and everything you send through AIM in any way they see fit, without informing you of it. Here's an article written about it on another blog. This is worrisome for most, but I'm not personally concerned since I'd never have a conversation through AIM that I'd be worried about someone seeing. If you use AIM for communication that needs to be secure and private you are a fool - it's NEVER been a secure communication tool. If you just chat with friends or family and don't send sensitive information via AIM, you shouldn't have to worry about this at all. That said, this change is still bothersome. The section of the new terms of service that states "by posting Content on an AIM Product, you grant AOL, its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, assigns, agents and licensees the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide right to reproduce, display, perform, distribute, adapt and promote this Content in any medium. You waive any right to privacy." is just a horrible invasion of privacy if you ask me. Think there's any hope they'll change their mind about this?

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