Hana Code Insert – stealthily installs promotional user dashboard widget

  • I have been using this plugin for a while, it works great, but I only recently noticed that it inserts a dashboard widget promoting the creator’s blog. This also appears on the dashboard of subscribers.

    This is not documented anywhere, certainly not in the repository notes, which is all that most people will read, and furthermore cannot be removed. This is sneaky, I don’t like it. I am sure I can find another plugin with the same functionality but without this ‘feature’.

    https://www.ads-software.com/extend/plugins/hana-code-insert/

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)

  • Why is it sneaky? Was the plugin free?

    Thread Starter markowe

    (@markowe)

    Yes, it’s free, it’s in the repository. What difference does it make whether it’s free or not? It installs additional software that the user did not ask for, and does not disclose this.

    We would all like to monetise our plugins, I am sure – me too, but that’s not the way to do it. It’s VERY similar to a ‘free’ program installing a toolbar in Windows without telling you – and most people would call THAT spyware/malware.

    A link to the creator’s site is not additional software. Many plugins & themes do this and it is not considered a problem. Not does it contravene GPL 2 or the Plugins & Themes Directory guidelines. If you don’t like it, use another plugin. Or ask the developer if he will remove it for a small donation.

    Thread Starter markowe

    (@markowe)

    I agree it is not against any of the rules, but what if all plugins did it? If I am using 10 different plugins I would end up with 10 widgets on my dashboard!

    I disagree that it is not additional software – it is more than a mere link, it is an entire widget displaying an RSS feed. And it should be disclosed when installing at the very least. I could not even tell which plugin had installed it without some further investigation. That, like I said, is sneaky.

    However, I quite agree that I can remove it and no doubt will.

Viewing 4 replies - 1 through 4 (of 4 total)
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