Got Skype?

[stumpey]

So Derek are you (BIG BROTHER) what do we need to know??.................what do you know about us?? 

Steve

[Beeesneees]

I'm not afraid. He'll never get through my anti-logic systems. 

[right ejit]

your ISP knows EXACTLY where you go, and when 

Ooooo...Beees, be afraid. Derek has your every click to review. Know wonder the poor chap looks knackered.

[FarmerGiles]

I use skype a lot - mostly to chat with friends but also for cheap calls to Japan and cheaper text messages than my current PAYG mobile phone....   If Skype really want my motherboard BIOS details they are welcome to them - what good will it do?  It'll change again in a short while then they can have the next one's details....

Think about it - your ISP knows EXACTLY where you go, and when  - any website you visit can record browser / OS / IP Address (possibly even more) for statistical analysis so  another useless pice of information being recorded doesn't really matter.

Now if sensitive information was being passed (a la WGA notifier) it would be a different matter - but then Microsoft (and Apple) have been garnering information from their users for years without express permission and got away with it....... 

[right ejit]

Thank goodness for anonymous proxys then!

[dkmulvey]

A common identity, which if (for example) applied to your Google search history and e-mail correspondence in Gmail would build up a very detailed picture of your online life in addition to the Skype calls.  Even non-Google related browsing could be captured if the same thing was applied to the Google toolbar.

A reformat of the hard drive wouldn't erase the identity, and if they were clever about, neither would a new computer.  In other words, they could track your every online movement from the day you buy your first computer through to the day you expire.

Definitely one for the Big Brother conspiracy theorists!

[right ejit]

I love a good conspiracy story. What possible use would the motherboard seriel number be to them? I don't even know my motherboard seriel number! Perhaps I should ring Skype and ask them?

[Beeesneees]

I don't know how much truth you should set by 'The Inquirer', but according to them, it may not be acting in an entirely legit manner:
http://uk.theinquirer.net/?article=37489 
REPORTS are coming in from eagle-eyed users who have spotted the Voice over IP outfit Skype's software reading their BIOS and motherboard serial number. (Click link for more)