Title: [Plugin: Web Ninja Google Analytics] Includes spyware
Last modified: August 20, 2016

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# [Plugin: Web Ninja Google Analytics] Includes spyware

 *  [kaerast](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaerast/)
 * (@kaerast)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/)
 * This plugin calls home to the author’s site to check for updates. This is pretty
   unacceptable, but to make it worse the admin email address and site url are also
   sent in this check.
 * Today I received an email from the author thanking me for installing his plugin,
   selling me extra services.
 * I would not recommend using this plugin.
 * [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/web-ninja-google-analytics/](http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/web-ninja-google-analytics/)

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

 *  Plugin Author [joshfowler](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joshfowler/)
 * (@joshfowler)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422053)
 * Sounds like someone may be a little paranoid. It’s not spyware, the plugin sends
   an email to the admin to thank them for using the plugin and sends them support
   information links. It gives you the link to the support forums, my email address
   for direct support, and the link to my other plugins in case you are interested.
   I am just trying to make sure everyone who needs help gets it.
 *  Thread Starter [kaerast](https://wordpress.org/support/users/kaerast/)
 * (@kaerast)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422131)
 * “In general, spyware is any technology, such as tracking software, that aids 
   in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge.”
 * I’d say you’re gathering information about people without their knowledge.
 * Granted the amount of information you are gathering is fairly limited, it’s not
   like you’re stealing content or passwords or anything, but you are still information
   gathering without consent.
 *  [Mark (podz)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/podz/)
 * (@podz)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422133)
 * joshfowler – remove that code.
 * It is **absolutely forbidden** to do this and the plugin will remain closed until
   the function has been removed and the plugin checked.
 *  Moderator [Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ipstenu/)
 * (@ipstenu)
 * 🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422143)
 * Josh – Also read [http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/about/guidelines/](http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/about/guidelines/)
 * Rule 7 is the one in particular. It’s not spyware, but you’re not permitted to
   do that without asking first.
 *  Plugin Author [joshfowler](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joshfowler/)
 * (@joshfowler)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422159)
 * Sorry…I figured that sending an email with support links and information would
   help… Anyways, it’s all removed now.
 *  Moderator [Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/ipstenu/)
 * (@ipstenu)
 * 🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422161)
 * I can see where you’d think that 🙂 And it is a neat idea, but not one that’s
   permitted if you want to be hosted here.
 * Email [plugins@wordpress.org](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/plugins@wordpress.org?output_format=md)
   to let ’em know you fixed it.
 *  [Mark (podz)](https://wordpress.org/support/users/podz/)
 * (@podz)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422168)
 * Have you deleted all information you took with this plugin?
 *  Plugin Author [joshfowler](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joshfowler/)
 * (@joshfowler)
 * [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422174)
 * It actually deleted it as they sent the support links to everyone, so they were
   only ever going to get 1 email

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

The topic ‘[Plugin: Web Ninja Google Analytics] Includes spyware’ is closed to new
replies.

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 * 8 replies
 * 4 participants
 * Last reply from: [joshfowler](https://wordpress.org/support/users/joshfowler/)
 * Last activity: [14 years, 6 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/plugin-web-ninja-google-analytics-includes-spyware/#post-2422174)
 * Status: not a support question