Ever since reports of Microsoft’s interest in buying Claria (Formerly known as Gator), it’s been under the microscope of the public eye. That scrutiny intensified when it downgraded the threat level of Claria products in MS AntiSpyware Beta. Now, though, Microsoft itself has confirmed the aforementioned wimp-out and tried to defuse the outcry.

Far from acheiving that end, Microsoft has managed to shoot itself in the foot, once again. This section here:

…decided that adjustments should be made to the classification of Claria software in order to be fair and consistent with how Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) handles similar software from other vendors…

Is this outrageous, or what?

It practically screams that Microsoft has made deals with OTHER spyware vendors to also ignore THEIR products! As of today, I have to downgrade the viability of MS AntiSpyware to Poor. Its open letter claims that, in the case of Claria, it still detects its software and offers the user the option of removing it, but given the above passage in the letter, I don’t feel safe in recommending its use unless and until Microsoft changes its policy.

If you feel the same way, feel free to use the embedded link in the letter to give Microsoft some feedback it won’t EVER forget!

[tags]microsoft,anti-spyware[/tags]