Smore' Bad PR for Ask - MySearch Toolbar Installs

[rustybrick]

Few days ago, MSNBC published an article named Uneasy Rider (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8086560/site/newsweek/):
Ask Jeeves didn't ask before installing a search tool on millions of Web browsers. Now investors are asking questions.

They covered Ben Edelman's Does Jeeves Ask for Permission? (http://www.benedelman.org/news/050205-1.html)

Most of the bad PR I hear about Ask revolves around MySearch.

Is this worse than Jeeves Showing AdWords Ads on BitTorrent (http://forums.searchenginewatch.com/showthread.php?t=5939)? I think so.

[krisval]

Looks similar to what happened in the email marketing business prior to the CAN-SPAM act. Major companies would not directly send unsolicited mail, but would knowingly use spammers to promote their affiliate programs. A lot of what ASK is doing looks similar except now they are using companies known to autoinstall software. Maybe some new legistation is in order for that industry too. I'll add click fraud to the list of needed enforcement and possible new legistation since I am talking about our "wild west industry" as Berkowitz stated. ASk should know better.