Skype: How was your call quality?

Automatically launched my browser for a survey after ending a call

[MatthewHSE]

I've been using Skype quite a bit lately to call landlines, but tonight was the first time *this* has ever happened. I got finished with my call, hit the "hang up" button, and immediately my browser popped up with a "How was your call quality" one-question survey. I was surprised, but went ahead and answered the question honestly.

Overall I guess I'm pleased that they care enough to ask how the call was. On the other hand, I'm a little disturbed that one of the following has apparently occurred:

1.) They automatically updated the software without telling me, or,
2.) The software allows Skype to run remote code on my computer by user-triggered events.

Come to think of it, I guess there's a third option but I consider it unlikely. I just upgraded to the newest release of the Skype client last week, and I suppose it could have the functionality to automatically launch the survey after a call. However, if it's doing that, there must be some kind of mechanism that only triggers the survey occasionally, since I've made several landline calls since upgrading and this is the first time I've had this happen.

Has anyone else seen this yet? If so, what's your reaction?

<edit> I just realized that this "feature" also automatically (or perhaps accidentally) closed the Skype application. Not really desired behavior. </edit>

<edit2>
From the survey thank-you page...

Thank you for taking the time on giving us feedback. We will treat the information provided as confidential and use it only to improve our service. (Emphasis mine)

"Treat" the information as confidential? Does that mean it really isn't confidential? I'm liking this less and less.
</edit2>

[edited by: MatthewHSE at 1:38 am (utc) on Aug. 25, 2006]

[Visit Thailand]

I use Skype quite a lot. Have the latest installed etc and have never been asked any such question. Even if I was I would not answer in case it was spyware.

[MatthewHSE]

It's not spyware in this case. This is a clean, fully-patched install of Windows behind a good firewall, and I haven't downloaded anything except Skype since I installed the OS (and run AV and anti-spyware scans every day, plus live protection). Also, if it was spyware, I would expect the "survey" to require some kind of personal information, but it didn't. It was a single question about call quality. There were hidden form fields, but the only personal information they contained were my Skype username and the number I'd called (which they already have record of anyway since the call goes through their service.) All the data was being collected from the query string variables. Finally, the form was on a secure.skype.com page, and I'm using the latest (and patched) version of Firefox, which should make phishing nigh unto impossible. So all in all, I'd say this was really from Skype, not spyware. ;)

I should have mentioned that this survey was specifically about SkypeOut quality. Do you use Skype to call landlines?

Overall, I'm still no more comfortable with the concept this morning than I was last night. I don't mind taking the surveys, if it will help them improve call quality. But I should have been asked to opt in - it shouldn't have just popped up that way. After all, if I don't want my username and the phone number I called being submitted to Skype that way, then just loading the page with all that information in the query string is enough to violate my privacy, since the request, complete with query string, will show up in their logs.

[naitp]

I've been using Skype for about a week, and I've seen that QA form, too. It only occurs once every ten to twenty calls and is a minor nuissance. But, I like Skype, and I acknowledge that it's important for them to collect this kind of data, so I don't mind pointing and clicking for a few seconds.

I can't seem to find an option to disable the action, anyway.

It sounds like this is new with the latest release of Skype (which you downloaded last week, you said?). You can set the client to update itself automatically or not, so I wouldn't worry about it doing so without your permission.

And no, the information you send them via the form isn't confidential -- it doesn't fall under CPNI or include any of your personal information. Personally, I don't care if they do publish their stats. "99% of Skype users occasionally have a crumby call!" Whooptie doo. :)