I thought I'd give the new Yahoo Music Engine a try, so I downloaded the setup and launched the installation.

First, it comes with the Yahoo Messenger 6.0, something I don't want on my machine. I don't need it, I don't want to try it, I don't want to polute my machine with. But the installer won't give me the choice not to install it. I decide to continue installation anyway. At worst, I'll uninstall it later.

A following step introduces me with the Privacy Policy. It informs me that the Yahoo Music Engine will "collect certain information about your usage of the Music Engine, and will transmit such information back to Yahoo!".

Hmmm, wait a minute, where's the checkbox to disable this? Can't? Oh boy... They're asking me something big here. Usually, I can say "no" and try anyway (WinAmp, Windows Media Player). At least, those other apps are giving me the impression I have control over what info is sent.

Let's read this more carefully before taking the plunge. So I click the Yahoo Privay Center link.

[...] Such information may include the following: version number; unique identifier numbers that allow us to distinguish between different computers and different people using the Music Engine, Yahoo! ID, duration of session time; number of times you download a song.

They can link a unique computer-based number with a Yahoo! ID? Hmmm, I don't feel comfortable with that.

[...] The Music Engine may send additional information to better understand your music preferences, personalize certain content, recommend music to purchase or listen to, allow you to rate songs, share playlists, and to automatically identify what CD is in your computer. Information sent may include the song playing, your playlists and what CD is in your drive.

That's getting too much. If it's only for a better experience, and that cannot be tied to any advertising, then write it out loud in the setup!

Yahoo is a serious company. I should trust them they won't use that info against my needs, right? So I continue reading, with the remaining intention to install the engine.

By default, your music profile is public. It includes a description of your musical tastes, your ratings, followers and influencers, and lists of similar members. It will also link to your LAUNCHcast radio station.

Ok, that's it, I'm out. I'm forced into something I'm not comfortable with. I understand that in order to improve the online music industry, one must sometimes impose things. But in this case, Yahoo have reached my own limits of what I can trust, and what I want control over. Will there be an option somewhere in the engine to turn everything off? Maybe. But first impressions are important. I'll wait.

Conclusion: If the intentions behind this collection of information is only meant to improve my experience with the Yahoo Music Engine, and that I can disable this later, then the setup application should mention it. Can't disable this while installing? Fine! Then regain my confidence with a clear statement that this is for my sole benefits.