I have used Microsoft Money since the late '90s. Recently, I noticed that my copy of Microsoft Money would silently add desktop icons for advertising each time I updated the software through the internet-update. While that was annoying, I somehow concluded that it may have to do with newer versions of Money being available.
I decided that it is time to upgrade and purchased a copy of Microsoft Money 2006 Premium, as I found a decent deal on eBay. I installed the software and immediately noticed a prominent link to "MSN Money News" on the "home page" of the software.
After browsing through the software, I noticed that more than half the accessible screens had advertising on it. This advertising is retrieved through my internet connection each time one of thse screens is displayed.
I contacted Microsofts "technical support" (pretty lousy email-based support, considering this is a SOFTWARE company — they should be able to do better). After a few seemingly pointless messages back and forth, I was told about an option to turn off pop-ups, but was told it's technically not possible to remove advertising links from the program.
Just so everyone is clear:
- I purchased my computer and monitor.
- I pay a monthly fee for my internet access.
- I paid for Windows XP Pro and Microsoft Money software.
Yet Microsoft continues to use MY computer and monitor, to sell MY internet bandwidth to their advertisers. And worst of all, they're using software I PAID them for to do it.
This invasive and illegal behavior was not disclosed in the EULA, and Microsoft is unwilling to discontinue it.
Time for class-action, anyone? They're doing this to millions of users every day!
I have contacted them and ask for a refund of the software cost and/or to discontinue this, but of course, there has been no response.
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