In The News
Yesterday, February 11, 2004, the story of MailWiper,Inc. and SpyWiper appeared on CNet's news site at: http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5157358.html?tag=nefd_lede and http://news.com.com/2008-1032_3-5157799.html, ZDNet at: http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-5157358.html, Patterico's Pontifications at: http://patterico.com/archives/cat_spy_wiper.php and several other news sites http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040211.gtspy0211/BNStory/Technology/, http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4243032/ to name a few, with a detailed report on CDT's site here: http://www.cdt.org/privacy/20040210cdt.pdf
Upcoming FTC Spyware Workshop: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/spyware/index.htm
Complaints against spyware can be submitted at: https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/dod/wsolcq$.startup?Z_ORG_CODE=PU01 and http://www.cdt.org/action/spyware/
Pending lawsuit against Rob Martinson, CEO of MailWiper, Inc. http://ricosuit.spywarewarrior.com
UPDATE: The notorious history of Rob Martinson, CEO of MailWiper, Inc., and the man behind the SpyWiper and SpyDeleter browser hijackings: http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2004-08-12/cover.html A long, but very informative article which contains Rob's history, his prison terms for drug possession, his spamming days, previous and pending lawsuits against him, and his mug shot. A must read!
Senators and the FTC reviewing spyware!
http://www.heraldnet.com/Stories/04/3/3/18272918.cfm
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,114999,00.asp
Also, the FTC is holding an upcoming Spyware Workshop on April 19, article and information on submitting suggestions are here: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2004/02/spyware.htm
UPDATE: Well, there was much disappointment when the FTC decided after their workshop to do nothing about adware/spyware, stating they wanted to give these companies a chance to "self-regulate" themselves. Given the fact that these companies have been around for years and so far, not concerned themselves with any self-regulation whatsoever, I don't see this happening anytime soon.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Great news!! It seems all our hard work has paid off! The FTC has brought a case against Seismic Entertainment. Hopefully this will be the downfall of these notorious companies and an example to those currently practicing unethical internet marketing. Read the case here: http://yro.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=124892&threshold=3&commentsort=0&tid=123&mode=nested&cid=10471703
News articles and public opinion
can be found here:
http://netrn.net/spywareblog/index.php
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/tech_spyware_dc
http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showfast.html?article=45220
http://www.sacbee.com/24hour/technology/story/1719298p-9530248c.html
http://news.com.com/FTC+takes+aim+at+alleged+spyware+distributor/2100-7350_3-5403438.html?tag=cd.top
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/10_8special2.htm
http://www.thewmurchannel.com/news/3794373/detail.html
PDF versions of the case can be found here: http://www.cdt.org/privacy/spyware/spywiper/
For all those who have been victimized by these companies, this is the day we've been waiting for. Let's keep our fingers crossed that justice will be done.
I will monitor these new developments closely and update this page regularly with anything new that I find. Anyone wishing to contact me for inquiries or to relate their experiences may do so at nomorespyware@yahoo.com.