Online game backs away from privacy threat Privacy from Companies6/5/2000; 7:12:47 AM April 6, 2000: "Game developers Verant Interactive, worried about tools which allow people to cheat or disrupt the online game, wanted to examine players' personal computers for 'hacking tools' as a part of a new software upgrade. As recently as last night, executives said they would bar people from the game who didn't agree to open their systems to the digital bloodhounds' inspection."

What were they thinking? Note that as long as they ask permission in a clear fashion, do only what they say, and do not gather any other data, it would not really be a violation of privacy per se... but still. Scanning machines? For hacking tools that within the day would be rendered undetectable (you'd have to download a new copy, but that's no big deal)? And keep in mind the game players are paying a monthly fee; if they leave, they truly will hurt the bottom line.

Anyhow, good news: "But after an outcry on electronic bulletin boards devoted to the game and threats by some devoted players to leave the game, the company backtracked."

You are not powerless.