AOL helps itself to AIM content - Nubblies.net Forums

StabMaster Arson · 03-14-2005, 09:17 PM

AOL helps itself to AIM content
Users lose all privacy with new terms of service
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
posted 11:21am EST Mon Mar 14 2005 - submitted by Matthew
NEWS

In the past few days AOL has updated the Terms of Service for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users. The changes have been met with raised eyebrows and anger, as AOL has included clauses that remove all privacy from the user. As part of the new terms AOL reserves the right to record all content posted through the AIM service and use it as it sees fit in the future without any communication with users.

Here's the offending passage from the new AIM Terms of Service under the "Content You Post" section (emphasis added):
Although you or the owner of the Content retain ownership of all right, title and interest in Content that you post to any AIM Product, AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this Content. In addition, 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. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Content or to be compensated for any such uses.

The new terms mean that everything shared on AIM can and will be recorded by AOL and possibly used by the company in the future however it sees fit.

Niger Angelus · 03-15-2005, 12:32 AM

That is total BS.

[ March 14, 2005, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Niger Angelus ]

Niger Angelus · 03-15-2005, 12:32 AM

Well since I double posted, I think I will just drink now.

[ March 14, 2005, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Niger Angelus ]

Ugly Bastard · 03-15-2005, 12:59 AM

Well, yeah it sucks that they can use our convos now, but to be honest, why do I care? I mean, does it really bother me that AOL can now distribute conversations I've had with people? Not really. I could give a fuck less. My life is boring.

-Ugly Bastard

Mr. Blonde · 03-15-2005, 01:37 AM

Does this mean that they own rights to patent ideas that you come up with...or does intellectual property theft apply...or..what.

Niger Angelus · 03-15-2005, 05:21 AM

That is a good idea. Or what if you say something in gest and comes back on you later. Huh. Huh?

God's Substitute · 03-15-2005, 10:25 AM

aol might want to devote their attention to nubblies. as this is the source of all the great ideas which will revolutionise the world.

03-15-2005, 05:06 PM

Where did you get this?

It doesn't seem plausible at all.

Edit: I knew something was wrong about this:

Updated: America Online quells public criticism of changes to its AIM terms of service, insisting the controversial privacy clause does not pertain to user-to-user instant messaging communication.

America Online Inc. on Sunday moved to quell public criticism of the terms of service for its AIM service, insisting the controversial privacy clause does not pertain to user-to-user instant messaging communication.

A section of the controversial clause, which was first flagged by Weblogs and discussion forums, reads: "Although you or the owner of the Content retain ownership of all right, title and interest in Content that you post to any AIM Product, AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this Content.

"You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses," according to the AIM terms of service.

America Online spokesman Andrew Weinstein, however, maintained that AOL does not monitor, read or review any user-to-user communication through the AIM network, except in response to a valid legal process.

Weinstein told eWEEK.com the clause in question falls under the heading "Content You Post," meaning it only relates to content a user posts in a public area of the AIM service. "If a user posts content in a public area of the service, like a chat room, message board or other public forum, that information may be used by AOL for other purposes," he explained.

One example of this, Weinstein said, may be a user who posts a "Hot or Not" photo and thus allows AIM to post it for other AIM users to vote on. "Another might be taking an excerpt from a message board posting on a current news issue and highlighting it in a different area of the service.

"Such language is standard in almost all similar user agreements, including those from Microsoft [Corp.] and most online news publications. That clause simply lets the user know that content they post in a public area can be seen by other users and can be used by the owner of the site for other purposes," Weinstein added.

"AIM user-to-user communication has been and will remain private," the AOL spokesman declared.

[ March 15, 2005, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: DJ FC ]

THEINCREDIBLEdork · 03-15-2005, 06:25 PM

HAHA Stabmaster isn't plausable!

StabMaster Arson · 03-15-2005, 06:25 PM

source: another messageboard, my apologies

Orgazmo · 03-15-2005, 09:21 PM

I hope we all learned a lesson today.

Niger Angelus · 03-16-2005, 12:38 AM

I want to know what the lesson is before I agree.

Orgazmo · 03-16-2005, 01:07 AM

It doesn't matter what the lesson is...only that you learned one.

Niger Angelus · 03-16-2005, 01:13 AM

f3lix · 03-17-2005, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ugly Bastard:
Well, yeah it sucks that they can use our convos now, but to be honest, why do I care? I mean, does it really bother me that AOL can now distribute conversations I've had with people? Not really. I could give a fuck less. My life is boring.

-Ugly Bastard

Imagine if the gov't then created a deal w/ AOL to use this info...then you couldn't joke about terrorism on aim anymore w/o being seiged and jailed.

Mr. Blonde · 03-17-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by f3lix:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ugly Bastard:
Well, yeah it sucks that they can use our convos now, but to be honest, why do I care? I mean, does it really bother me that AOL can now distribute conversations I've had with people? Not really. I could give a fuck less. My life is boring.

-Ugly Bastard

Imagine if the gov't then created a deal w/ AOL to use this info...then you couldn't joke about terrorism on aim anymore w/o being seiged and jailed.[/quote]
Speaking reasonably, if they were to do something of this nature, they would most likely highlight words like "terrorism" "bomb" and the like, and if you mentioned one, would have your IP flagged to be read by an analyst to determine your actions. They wouldn't just arrest you for joking about it.

Ugly Bastard · 03-17-2005, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by f3lix:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ugly Bastard:
Well, yeah it sucks that they can use our convos now, but to be honest, why do I care? I mean, does it really bother me that AOL can now distribute conversations I've had with people? Not really. I could give a fuck less. My life is boring.

-Ugly Bastard

Imagine if the gov't then created a deal w/ AOL to use this info...then you couldn't joke about terrorism on aim anymore w/o being seiged and jailed.[/quote]
God your Libertarian hippie ideas are starting to get annyoing.

-Ugly Bastard

f3lix · 03-17-2005, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ugly Bastard:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by f3lix:
<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Ugly Bastard:
Well, yeah it sucks that they can use our convos now, but to be honest, why do I care? I mean, does it really bother me that AOL can now distribute conversations I've had with people? Not really. I could give a fuck less. My life is boring.

-Ugly Bastard

Imagine if the gov't then created a deal w/ AOL to use this info...then you couldn't joke about terrorism on aim anymore w/o being seiged and jailed.[/quote]
God your Libertarian hippie ideas are starting to get annyoing.

-Ugly Bastard[/quote]
Thanks Cartman. But in all honesty, that's the direction we are still heading.

THEINCREDIBLEdork · 03-17-2005, 05:48 PM

Jokes about terrorism? you are one sick fuck threelix.

03-14-2005, 09:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
StabMaster Arson Roscoe P. Coldchain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Stabbin Cabin Posts: 2,759 Internets: 1425	AOL helps itself to AIM content Users lose all privacy with new terms of service -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- posted 11:21am EST Mon Mar 14 2005 - submitted by Matthew NEWS In the past few days AOL has updated the Terms of Service for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users. The changes have been met with raised eyebrows and anger, as AOL has included clauses that remove all privacy from the user. As part of the new terms AOL reserves the right to record all content posted through the AIM service and use it as it sees fit in the future without any communication with users. Here's the offending passage from the new AIM Terms of Service under the "Content You Post" section (emphasis added): Although you or the owner of the Content retain ownership of all right, title and interest in Content that you post to any AIM Product, AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this Content. In addition, 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. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the Content or to be compensated for any such uses. The new terms mean that everything shared on AIM can and will be recorded by AOL and possibly used by the company in the future however it sees fit.
	LEGALIZE CRIME!

03-15-2005, 12:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	That is total BS. [ March 14, 2005, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Niger Angelus ]
	I enjoy knives and fire.

03-15-2005, 12:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	Well since I double posted, I think I will just drink now. [ March 14, 2005, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Niger Angelus ]
	I enjoy knives and fire.

03-15-2005, 01:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mr. Blonde Spice Master Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 17,969 Internets: 284106	Does this mean that they own rights to patent ideas that you come up with...or does intellectual property theft apply...or..what.
	Psychedelics are illegal not because a loving government is concerned that you may jump out of a third story window. Psychedelics are illegal because they dissolve opinion structures and culturally laid down models of behavior and information processing. ― Terence McKenna

03-15-2005, 05:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	That is a good idea. Or what if you say something in gest and comes back on you later. Huh. Huh?
	I enjoy knives and fire.

03-15-2005, 12:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
Ugly Bastard Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 13,643 Internets: 247330	Well, yeah it sucks that they can use our convos now, but to be honest, why do I care? I mean, does it really bother me that AOL can now distribute conversations I've had with people? Not really. I could give a fuck less. My life is boring. -Ugly Bastard

03-15-2005, 10:25 AM	#7 (permalink)
God's Substitute Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 94 Internets: 10	aol might want to devote their attention to nubblies. as this is the source of all the great ideas which will revolutionise the world.
	allow me to urinate on you

03-15-2005, 05:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
DJ FC Guest Posts: n/a	Where did you get this? It doesn't seem plausible at all. Edit: I knew something was wrong about this: Updated: America Online quells public criticism of changes to its AIM terms of service, insisting the controversial privacy clause does not pertain to user-to-user instant messaging communication. America Online Inc. on Sunday moved to quell public criticism of the terms of service for its AIM service, insisting the controversial privacy clause does not pertain to user-to-user instant messaging communication. A section of the controversial clause, which was first flagged by Weblogs and discussion forums, reads: "Although you or the owner of the Content retain ownership of all right, title and interest in Content that you post to any AIM Product, AOL owns all right, title and interest in any compilation, collective work or other derivative work created by AOL using or incorporating this Content. "You waive any right to privacy. You waive any right to inspect or approve uses of the content or to be compensated for any such uses," according to the AIM terms of service. America Online spokesman Andrew Weinstein, however, maintained that AOL does not monitor, read or review any user-to-user communication through the AIM network, except in response to a valid legal process. Weinstein told eWEEK.com the clause in question falls under the heading "Content You Post," meaning it only relates to content a user posts in a public area of the AIM service. "If a user posts content in a public area of the service, like a chat room, message board or other public forum, that information may be used by AOL for other purposes," he explained. One example of this, Weinstein said, may be a user who posts a "Hot or Not" photo and thus allows AIM to post it for other AIM users to vote on. "Another might be taking an excerpt from a message board posting on a current news issue and highlighting it in a different area of the service. "Such language is standard in almost all similar user agreements, including those from Microsoft [Corp.] and most online news publications. That clause simply lets the user know that content they post in a public area can be seen by other users and can be used by the owner of the site for other purposes," Weinstein added. "AIM user-to-user communication has been and will remain private," the AOL spokesman declared. [ March 15, 2005, 02:09 PM: Message edited by: DJ FC ]
DJ FC Guest Posts: n/a

03-15-2005, 06:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
THEINCREDIBLEdork Emperor Meow Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 9,353 Internets: 290966	HAHA Stabmaster isn't plausable!
	#YOLO

03-15-2005, 06:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
StabMaster Arson Roscoe P. Coldchain Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Stabbin Cabin Posts: 2,759 Internets: 1425	source: another messageboard, my apologies
	LEGALIZE CRIME!

03-15-2005, 09:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Orgazmo COME ON YOU YANKS Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 15,733 Internets: 311447	I hope we all learned a lesson today.

03-16-2005, 12:38 AM	#12 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	I want to know what the lesson is before I agree.
	I enjoy knives and fire.

03-16-2005, 01:07 AM	#13 (permalink)
Orgazmo COME ON YOU YANKS Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 15,733 Internets: 311447	It doesn't matter what the lesson is...only that you learned one.

03-16-2005, 01:13 AM	#14 (permalink)
Niger Angelus We still believe. Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,697 Internets: 216	Ok.
	I enjoy knives and fire.

03-17-2005, 05:48 PM	#19 (permalink)
THEINCREDIBLEdork Emperor Meow Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 9,353 Internets: 290966	Jokes about terrorism? you are one sick fuck threelix.
	#YOLO