More info about how IRSeeK’s data gathering habits courtesy of this Freenode blog post:

However, currently there is no way to opt-in, or even to opt out. The bots aren’t easily identifiable and you’re not aware that they are present in your channel.

Freenode took action to temporarily disable all TOR connections which was how IRSeeK was connecting and listening to crosstalk: “The logging bots primarily connect through tor, seem to have no distinguishing characteristics that we can identify, and so far the company has not been willing to remove them voluntarily.”

Eventually they did suspend the service, but the sequence of events and how the original data was collected remains disturbing.

Due to the concerns of our users, we’ve decided that for the time being, until we figure out a satisfactory solution(s) to the user’s concerns, we have disabled the site.

I still don’t like the idea of ‘recording’ and indexing these chats for the web. Especially if WE don’t know about it. Yes it’s public, but I still don’t like it. Especially if I’m not aware if/when it’s being done.

A few items listed in the letter:

1. Do our best to anonymize the nicknames.
2. Allow channel operators to opt-out (by verifying their identity on IRC).

How is it channel ops can’t opt out? Is this logging or censoring?!

Don;t like it one bit.

None of these people are aware that they are being ‘recorded’. There is no onjoin message letting them know this. No disclaimers etc. Granted there is rarely unanimity on the www, but this is blatent.