Platte's failure to uninstall software

[ForumFriend]

A number of complaints have now emerged across the internet about Platte failing to provide the means to uninstall their software, despite requests from those who have been affected.  This posting on Michael Pollitt's site, dated 9th May, illustrates the problem.

I would like to urge other people affected in this way to follow the advice given by Sussex on that site and to contact and complain vociferously to the Office of Fair Trading about Platte's behaviour in this regard, pointing out that it directly contravenes one of the undertakings given to the OFT by Platte, i.e. that it should provide people with the means to remove their software. 

I also intend taking this point up with the OFT and will see if I can elicit from them a response as to how they intend taking the matter forward with Platte.

[matt_d]

On a general note I would just like to say that Platte Media's PR company is still registered and free to comment on all sections of this site.

Forgive my cynicism, but it seems as if they merely arrived so that they could take a good look at the site, answer a few questions with their spin, instruct their lawyers to threaten us, and then leave.

If Platte Media would like to contribute to this forum in a constructive way, I invite them to. It seems that since the legal threats (which we fully complied with), nothing else has been published from them.

This in itself doesn't make for great PR. We didn't really want you on these forums in the first place, but given our ethos of free speech, we allowed it. Would you care to explain to those you claim are your customers in this public forum what you're doing about this issue?

[ForumFriend]

Why does that not surprise me?

Incidentally, I have heard from the OFT now, but am awaiting further information from another officer.  I will post an update when I receive this.

[ForumFriend]

I have just spoken to the OFT about the failure of Platte International to provide uninstallation of their software to people who have found it on their computers.

In principle, as stated earlier, they could be breaking their undertakings by this inaction.  However, as there were a number of issues discussed, I shall be posting more about this in a few days.

Meanwhile, if anybody has had a problem in having the software uninstalled, could they keep a note of the circumstances, including dates when (according to Platte) sites were visited, when the trial period ended, etc.?  The OFT are very interested in this issue, but will require full details of individual incidents.

[Public Relations - Platte]

Platte International, in accordance with its terms and conditions, provide an uninstaller to all consumers that contact us requesting to uninstall their software.

We are aware however, in a number of isolated instances, some consumers to whom we have provided uninstall instructions (running Vista operating system) have been unable to uninstall completely. Prompted by these occurrences we have re-written aspects of the uninstaller to address these isolated, non-compatibilities with the Vista operating system.

We would ask consumers who wish to uninstall, or those who may have had a problem with uninstalling their software, to contact us free on 0800 051 6664.

[ForumFriend]

Since you're hanging around the forum today, perhaps you could deal with another aspect of the uninstall matter:  i.e. those who have contacted you for uninstall and to whom Platte have failed to provide the wherewithal to do so.  This directly contravenes your undertakings to the OFT.

Also, on another but related point, why is it that people are complaining that they are still finding elements of your software on their systems after using your uninstall?  That is in blatant contravention of their rights.

[matt_d]

I am not surprised there are problems with Vista, as — in a bid to test out the system for myself — I tried to install the GetFilmsNow service onto a Vista PC and was unable to.

Apparently, I didn't have an Internet connection, which is interesting given that I downloaded the EXE file in the first place.

Probably just as well I didn't infect myself with this s/ware anyway.

[mini ha ha]

i am on vista and they got into mine

[matt_d]

Maybe I'll try again, or perhaps I'd better not...

[Mouse]

I have posted at considerable length about this problem on my own blog: http://stevescomputingblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/platte-and-that-billing-software.html

There's a lot of information about Platte's software there too that I think will surprise most people.

[matt_d]

Hi,

This is a fantastic read, and only adds to my distrust and contempt for this shoddy company. Not that they will be, but they should be ashamed of themselves.

Most interesting is that you suggest their software could break Microsoft's licence for software developers.

Also, I'm wondering how applicable the Sony Rootkit scandal (links to Wikipedia) is in this case.

[Mouse]

Hi. Thanks. It's not quite a rootkit to the extent that the Sony one was, unfortunately. But in the US it is illegal to install such software without having an uninstall tool; if only Europe's laws on such matters were similarly robust.

At least the OFT are taking my concerns seriously.

[ForumFriend]

Yes, Mouse, we've also been speaking to the OFT, and your blog makes a very interesting read.  There are issues there which the OFT will want to follow up.

Well done!

[SwampyUK]

Hi All

Its me again..........

Just read the blog on stephens site, and with what I read is true Platte deff needs to be closed down, and the MDs taken to court for HACKING.........

Iv also found out that when they mentioned they get a fingerprint of the computer used to register on there sites.....

I asked a local computer shop on what that means, they said (as far as I could understand)

It takes note of the OS Product ID Key

MAC addresses of all the items inside the computer, Includin the BIOS details..... 
Which then can lead to an hardware ban...........

Now isnt it no wonder my girlfriends computer buggered up bigtime.  After swapping mostly everything over to her spare computer base unit, and reinstalling windows which then changed her IP  but the MAC addresses stayed the same........

MAC addresses can be changed, but I aint gonna explain bcos it`l take to long......   
     

[jonlewi5]

It can mean a lot of different things when they say they take a fingerprint of your computer, basicly it depends on the algorithym (spelling) they decide, iv worked on a few programs in the past that used to take a fingerprint of they PC to work out a unique serial number,

it really can be a mixture of anything they want, not just the things mentioned, for example it could be say the time and date you visited their website * version of your web browser / blah blah.

you see what i mean, a lot of sites and programs that you install on your pc do this. for example windows, thats one of the first things windows does is index your hardware, which is why if you change more than 3 pieces of hardware in your PC, you will need to reinstall windows. But thats a bit off-topic lol