Package: thunderbird
Version: 1:60.9.0-1~deb10u1
When I attempt to set up an account ending in `@outlook.com' it defaults
to an account type of `Exchange'. This requires support from a
third-party closed source addon. The Thunderbird UI prompts me to
install this with a small picture of a blue owl and a single button that
says `Install Now'.
I pressed the button, went through the Exchange sign-on process and
gained access to my email.
When I reviewed the addons manually I realised I had installed a one
month free trial of a proprietary addon named `Owl for Exchange'.
Prompting users to install proprietary addons for convenience is not
unusual - Firefox does it for media DRM - however this particular
instance strikes me as a UI dark pattern. Had I been properly informed
that this was closed-source software that I would need to pay for one
month later, I would have stuck with IMAP.
I have nothing against the addon and no reason to doubt the intentions
of its developers. It seemed to work well while I had it installed. As a
user, particularly on a free software distribution like Debian, I would
prefer a fuller explanation in the UI before I download and execute it.
