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Sony settles ‘rootkit CD’ privacy lawsuits

“Sony BMG Music Entertainment will pay $1.5 million and kick in thousands more in customer refunds to settle lawsuits brought by California and Texas over music CDs that installed a hidden anti-piracy program on consumers’ computers,” Alex Veiga reports for The Associated Press.

Veiga reports, “Not only did the program itself open up a security hole on computers, but the method Sony BMG originally recommended for removing the software also damaged computers.”

“Under the terms of the separate settlements, each state will receive $750,000 in civil penalties and costs,” Veiga reports. “In addition, Sony BMG agreed to reimburse consumers whose computers were damaged while trying to uninstall the XCP software. Customers in both states can file a claim with Sony BMG to receive between $25 to $175 in refunds.”

Full article here.

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