Adobe spies on ereaders
Posted by: Timothy Weaver on 10/07/2014 11:35 AM
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An investigation by Nate Hoffelder of The Digital Reader showed that Adobe's Digital Editions 4 ebook reader software is collecting detailed information about the reading habits of its users. This included the title, publisher, and other metadata, which was then sent to the company's mothership – a server called adelogs, no less – in plain text over the internet.
Hoffelder also found that ADE 4 was collecting more than its own ebook data. It was also scanning the host computer for all ebooks stored on the computer and sending that information back as well.
Since Adobe doesn't sell ebooks, that makes the info transfer very strange and possibly against its own policy:
"We will not access, view, or listen to any of your content, except as reasonably necessary to perform the Services. Actions reasonably necessary to perform the Services may include (but are not limited to) (a) responding to support requests; (b) detecting, preventing, or otherwise addressing fraud, security, unlawful, or technical issues; and (c) enforcing these terms."
The firm has said that it's looking into the matter.
Hoffelder also found that ADE 4 was collecting more than its own ebook data. It was also scanning the host computer for all ebooks stored on the computer and sending that information back as well.
Since Adobe doesn't sell ebooks, that makes the info transfer very strange and possibly against its own policy:
"We will not access, view, or listen to any of your content, except as reasonably necessary to perform the Services. Actions reasonably necessary to perform the Services may include (but are not limited to) (a) responding to support requests; (b) detecting, preventing, or otherwise addressing fraud, security, unlawful, or technical issues; and (c) enforcing these terms."
The firm has said that it's looking into the matter.
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