What's the word for software that benefits third parties at the expense of the user? [closed]

Solution 1:

I don't know any specific word, but there is this famous expression which expresses a (kind of) similar idea: "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product."

(sorry I couldn't find the origin)

Solution 2:

Using software requires an agreement between the creator and the user referred to as an "end-user license agreement". The creator of the software offers functionality and the user agrees to the conditions specified by the software creator.

If the creator of the software
- benefits from the functionality at the expense of the user
- provides functionality in the software for third parties that benefits them at the expense of the user
It could be said that the software is:

• exploitative

  making use of a situation or treating others unfairly in order to gain an advantage or benefit English Oxford Living Dictionaries

• one-sided

  unfairly giving or dealing with only one side of a contentious issue or question; biased or partial. English Oxford Living Dictionaries

• preferential

  of or involving preference or partiality; constituting a favor or privilege. English Oxford Living Dictionaries

In any agreement there are at least two sides to a perspective. If the software is functioning as designed and as specified in the end-user license agreement the software creator might say that both parties freely came to an agreement and therefore none of these terms is correct.