Responding to Attorney General Doug Gansler’s investigation into the inadvertent sharing of private information by consumers utilizing LimeWire, the popular peer-to-peer file-sharing software widely used to share music and other media files via the Internet, the company has agreed to provide notice to Maryland consumers regarding the risk to private and sensitive information posed by the use of this service.

 

“I'm pleased this investigation has produced greater protections for Maryland consumers against a vulnerable point of entry into their home computers,” said Attorney General Gansler. “When opening your computer to online sharing, you should be as careful as when you're opening your home to strangers.”

 

The Division alleged that several versions of LimeWire contained features that left consumers vulnerable to the inadvertent sharing of private information on their home computers. The software potentially compromised consumers' Social Security numbers, tax records, health records, or private family documents and media files (family videos, etc.). The Division further alleged that the makers of LimeWire failed to adequately warn consumers about these privacy risks.