I was going to place this in computers, but since it isn't specific to Microsoft or Hotmail I thought we could have a general gripe.
Upon attempting to login to my various Hotmail accounts this morning I was greeted with this:
Quote:
Your MSN account is governed by the following agreements and statements, which are collectively referred to as the Agreements:
MSN Service Agreement
MSN Privacy Statement
Click each link above to open the Agreement in a new window, and then print or save a copy of the Agreement. If you accept all of the Agreements, sign them as a group by typing your e-mail address in the box below exactly as shown, including punctuation. If you do not accept the Agreements in their entirety and without modification, click the Cancel button to discontinue sign-up.
By typing my e-mail address in the box above and clicking the Accept button, I am entering into, and agreeing to be bound by, all of the Agreements. I understand that I am creating credentials that I can use on other sites in the Passport Network. I am consenting to receive all information from Microsoft in electronic form only. I also agree to receive targeted advertisements and periodic member letter e-mail messages from MSN. I understand that if I do not accept the Agreements in their entirety without modification, I should click the Cancel button to discontinue sign-up.
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Pretty boilerplate really, but the part that REALLY miffed me is the
I also agree to receive targeted advertisements and periodic member letter e-mail messages from MSN.
WHAT THE HELL!? And there is no way to continue to use the email address unless I opt-in to this crap and allow them to spam me!
Granted, there are other free mail services out there, and since it's free I can't really bitch, however I've had these accounts for over five YEARS and changing them now would cut off communications in a fashion that I can't even begin to guess at all the facets and I'm sure that they know this.
So I'm left between a rock and a hard place. Either I opt-in to this garbage and put up with their spam, or I try to change the account and redirect all the traffic, both of which are completely bullshit.
Does anyone have any reason why this should be supported? Or perhaps other stories of how you've had it stuck you by large companies that can afford to piss you off and know that they can abuse you?