Plaxo Software to update Address Book

Within the last two months, I have received two update requests from 2 people that I know. In both cases I sent the update information.

Does anybody know anything about Plaxo and this product? Is it safe to use? Does it contain spyware?

I'm getting very cautios with all the malware running around.

I would appreciate any and all comments?

Thanks,

Linda

 

If you join Plaxo, they get your Address Book and send
what amounts to Spam to everyone in your Address Book,
and if they also join ... well, it goes on and on and on ...

There is great potential for abuse by Plaxo (although they
say the never would - but if it's free it has to make money)
and (for personal and business) it's an invasion of privacy.

 

I have a slightly different take on the Plaxo software.

I use the app and for certain folks in my address book, I have sent them a request to update their profile information. Filling out the form is reasonably easy for them and I get the information entered as they typed it without any additional work on may part and without the chance a typo on my part will mess something up. However, I limited the group to business contacts, family members, and a group for whom I coordinate some common activities and need accurate information to do the job.

For casual address book entries like folks I swap jokes with but nothing more, I never opt to send them an update request.

On the receiving end, I have maybe a dozen contacts who also use the software and I have received one request from each to update my profile for them. No problem.

As far as I can tell, the version I run does not act as spyware. If anyone finds good information saying otherwise, I'd certainly like to see it but for now I will continue to treat this as a useful app.

yourbuddy - you say and (for personal and business) it's an invasion of privacy. Since anyone receiving the request for information is in my address book with at least an email address and each of them can simply fill in parts or ignore it altogether, in what way am I invading anyone's privacy?

 

If "Plaxo Spam" is entered into any search engine, you will
get some that are favorable (those promoting or selling
Plaxo, mostly) and those that are negative (including some
very knowledgeable tech people). Here's just one example:

http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2003/1208buzz.html

Here is another:

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20031208/025234.shtml

Here is a good exchange of thoughts:

http://napps.nwfusion.com/compendium/archive/003589.html

Here is one including info. from a "tech attorney ":

http://www.theisociety.net/archives/000173.html

As a Lawyer, I can assure you that giving private information,
that you have been entrusted with, to a third party who you
have no controll over - is an invasion of their privacy and a
breach of their trust. There is also the "Plaxo Spam" issue.