Audacity 3.0 now considered spyware

[Charvelx04]

If you use it... but haven't updated to 3.0, you're good.

If you have installed 3.0, I'd suggest removing it.

https://www.pcmag.com/news/audacity-is-being-called-spyware-after-privacy-policy-update

 

[Katzenfreund]

Thanks for the heads up.

Damn! I have been using Audacity since I got my first PC. It was a par excellence example of good freeware.

The story in English is here:

https://9to5mac.com/2021/07/05/popular-audacity-audio-app-dubbed-spyware-by-users-over-policy-changes-from-new-owner/

There are two groups of data gathered:
1 “the OS version, CPU, user country (based on IP)”.
This is not so worrying, as the info is more or less available to everybody.
2 “Data necessary for law enforcement, litigation and authorities’ requests (if any)”
This is the potentially dangerous part, due to its vague generality.

Let’s hope there will be user reaction and boycott to bring Audacity back in line, as happened, for example, with Avast and CCleaner.

 

[Tania Tee]

Thanks for sharing

 

[Charvelx04]

I did a little more digging... seems that 3.0.2 is telemetry free.

Update 3.0.3 and beyond will have the ability to collect crash report data, hardware data.. and for some reason.. unknown data that can be used for govt collection or other federal agencies.

I don't know what you'd use Audacity for that would flag the feds.. but damn people, it sucks to see a good program get shot in the foot.

 

[NavyRet]

They can't collect what they can't get due to blocking it in your firewall.

 

[Weaserlorian]

Thanks for this info Charvelx04 . I know some students who are using this proggy for their language studies and would have no clue.

 

[Charvelx04]

They can't collect what they can't get due to blocking it in your firewall.

True. I have many apps blocked in the firewall. I mean, can't we just use an app without them all having to phone home?

 

[DammagedAgain]

True. I have many apps blocked in the firewall. I mean, can't we just use an app without them all having to phone home?

And it's getting to be a hassle when you actually have to start looking up all the crap that pops up wanting permission to access the NET, can't block "everything".

 

[Katzenfreund]

Blocking Audacity thru the firewall could reduce its functionality, e.g. you won't be able to record streamed audio with it.
Of course, you could use other apps for that purpose, which would...err...also monitor your activities...

 

[NavyRet]

can't block "everything".

Yes, you absolutely CAN block "everything". Just do this:

 

[Katzenfreund]

Alternative method of blocking everything, including yourself - after all, most problems are caused by the user.