Sony sued over CD spyware
November 23, 2005 
The Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) and the state of Texas sued Sony BMG Monday for selling copy-protected music CDs that installed spyware on customers’ computers.
Sony BMG Sued Over CD Spyware:
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said it was the first lawsuit filed under the state’s Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act of 2005. He accused Sony BMG of installing files on consumers’ computers without their owners’ knowledge and which hide other files installed by Sony. The state is seeking civil penalties of $100,000 for each violation of the law, attorneys’ fees and investigative costs.
“Sony has engaged in a technological version of cloak-and-dagger deceit against consumers by hiding secret files on their computers,” Abbott said. “Consumers who purchased a Sony CD thought they were buying music. Instead, they received spyware that can damage a computer, subject it to viruses and expose the consumer to possible identity crime.”
Abbott’s office investigated the matter and found that ”this technology revealed that it remains hidden and active at all times after installation, even when Sony’s media player is inactive, prompting concerns about its true purpose,” according to the suit.
Sony blew it big time and it seems like it will take a very long time for consumers to trust them again, if ever.
And, as if installing “invisible” spyware programs onto unsuspecting customers’ computers wasn’t bad enough, the Sony spyware was installed even if people selected “no” in the install dialog!
