New Software Quietly Diverts Sales Commissions
After conducting a detailed analysis of the software, [Erik Peterson] concluded that the TopMoxie program was intricately designed to substitute its affiliate identification code for that of other sites as transactions were made. He said that the program remained on the computer even if the user removed the original LimeWire music sharing software. “I don’t buy their explanation,” he said. “What kind of accident is that?”
Mr. Petersen also pointed to a statement made in an online forum where the technology was discussed, in which a LimeWire developer characterized accusations that the software diverts money as “pretty accurate,” but said, “While I agree that this is really a bit of a scam, it is a way for us to pay salaries while not adversely affecting our users.”
I was just reviewing my Amazon Affiliate statements (I’ve made $5.15 so far, thanks), and discovered a link to this story. Apparently, some companies have decided their business model is to route sales commissions from affiliates like me to themselves. You might come here, read about something I liked, clickthrough to it at Amazon, and the commission goes to one of these other companies who had nothing to do with the transaction. They just worm their way in through some “shopping software” but removing it doesn’t solve the problem: the diversions continue.
Gee, when I was a kid we called that stealing. Oh, they say the purchaser is told their commission will go to their new friend, rather than the person who brought them to Amazon. But at that point what’s the buyer’s option? Can they reset the affiliate code? They can only not buy the item they came for if they want to be fair to the referring site. Maybe that is the right thing to do . . . . .