Collin asks:

I was wondering if the new URGE from MTV Networks available with the new Media player beta is a security issue. I found out about it from Ed Bott on ZDNet Blogs.

He is a Microsoft ExpertZone Columnist. It also appears that Microsoft is intentionally teaming up with URGE, and that they are either ignoring the issue or they don't now about it yet. I was wondering if you could give me an opinion whether or not this URGE is a security issue, or if it is a harmless add-on.

The answer depends on the user. Yes, the software is invasive and monitors what you do, and can repair or rebuild itself, and can even disable or call for help if it thinks you're trying to hack it. Most users will probably see the benefit of the music service, and not care about the underlying legalese.

I wouldn't call this a security issue, I'd call it a rights and privacy issue. We as consumers have the right to know what's being installed on our PCs, what that software will do, and what impact it has on our personal information.

Harmless? No. But the majority of users won't notice, until people start calling attention to these practices. From the Sony DRM issue to Microsoft's GWA tool to Urge, this trend of "responsible" companies releasing spyware is insulting and frustrating.