Okay, calling someone a child may or may not be an insult, but my point still stands.
The computer belongs to the OP, the father has no right to demand to install something on it, and legal recourse could be a viable option if necessary, although that would be an extreme, and as with every action, have consequences. As would complying, and then undermining, circumventing, or outright removing that software. Pretty sure his dad would notice if he just removed the software, and wasn't able to get any information out of it.
So, best bet, is to simply say "no, it's my computer, not yours, I decide what goes on it and what does not", and then to password protect said computer so his father can't install that software. I mean, it should be password protected to begin with, as should any computer.
That's fine then, as I said, I didn't find anything listed under property law.
I'd still sit down with the old man and say "I paid for it, it's mine, why don't you trust me, when I have not given you a reason to mistrust me?"
That also might not be a black and white answer, because children can open their own bank accounts outside of the control of their parents. Although delving deeper, they can control the use of possessions within their household.
I think, you're all missing what reasonable control his dad has, the OK may completely own the computer, but his dad pays for the Internet. Even If his dad couldn't legally take away his computer, he can still take away, both Internet, and power.
You may have paid for the computer but your parents have paid for everything else for 13 years now. And they are still paying and will continue to pay.
While I understand your reluctance on the parental controls, you should also understand their point of view as well. As much as it might suck, the fact that he wants to protect you (even in a somewhat misguided way) should tell you that he is looking out for you. Some kids aren't lucky enough to have parents that care about them at all.
I would suggest though that instead of installing bloatware, he could just configure the home router/firewall to simply block all internet traffic from any non-PG13 sites or any site with content that he feels you should not have access to. He can also configure the router/firewall to only allow internet traffic to your PC during certain times of the day or weekends. Then set his own password on the router/firewall so you are not able to change the configuration.
Most current home routers/firewalls can perform the above functions.
^ this! right here. or as some have mentioned, linux. or dual boot and say well i run linux, so good luck. then dual boot over to windows when you wanna play any games. never leave it unlocked. personally i am against monitoring software. if your parents dont trust you to be on the computer unmonitored then they shouldnt have let you get it to begin with.
You sound like a very intellectually bankrupt person. Nice job stereotyping an entire geographic region of the world. I was on your side of the argument saying "what a mature individual" Until you ruined it all with such an ignorant statement.
What happens when dad notices you on your computer all the time and then decided to check his nanny programs to see what you're up to? What do you think will happen when he sees no activity there?
Dual boot is not a solution. Neither is letting him do the installation in a VM.
i think most people here don't seem to fully understand. his computer is HIS purchase through and through, and despite what most people here seem to think, his father is not just in creating an environment of distrust and belittlement. my advice to you is to take your computer out of your household and hold it at a friends until you explain thoroughly to your parents that you will not let them ruin your 800$ machine you worked so hard to get(I'm assuming you did), and if they cant trust you to make the right decisions with a computer then that's insulting to you. people need to understand he's a human being,he has interests and rights and most importantly he has the right to protect the thing he payed for, its just sad that the law in some cases won't back him up. Also as everyone else here suggests, instal Linux, don't tell them what your OS is called, semi-problem solved.
this is a really good point. them forcing themselves into your private life like this only closes the door on trust. if they dont trust you, then you in turn will not trust them. and will not be open with them when you get into trouble or things are going bad at school. or work. or whatever. they really are closing off the communication between you if they really do intend to invade your privacy like this. not only that, but these things are 1) able to be circumvented 2) are stupid 3) will not protect you. the first two are self explantory. but the third, well here goes. my parents tried to do this to me when i was younger. me and my siblings used the same computer and it had nanny software on it. i could get around it and guess what, still discovered porn. so having it on there will not stop you from finding the things they are trying to hide from you. instead they should be open with you about it. they need to have that level of trust that you wont be hanging out in chat rooms, that you will make the right decision, that you will be responsible. as @awizzardsgizzard said, hold your system over at a friends place for a few days until you very clearly explain to your parents that you worked for the system. if they didnt trust you to have a computer (because lets face it, its the most powerful tool out there) then they shouldnt have let you purchase it. my parents never would let me have a TV in my room. even if i would of paid for it, it wasnt happening. the same kinda applies here. they dont trust you on it, then they shouldnt have let you spend your money on it. i personally can say, i have a five year old daughter, and i am fine handing her my laptop and letting her run away with it. for a few reasons. 1) she cant do much 2) she really just wants to play minecraft but finally no matter what i do as a parent to protect her, she will get hurt. the best thing i can do is let her find these things, and then explain them to her. and be there when she does get hurt. case in point, my daughter understands what it means to die, and what cancer is. how many other 5 year olds can tell you that
Ask your dad why he wants to put the software on it, what he's concerned about, etc...
Try not to get into an argument. Just calmly explain your side of the situation and debunk any fears he might have about your internet usage. Don't lie at all though.
Probably 9/10 chance he's concerned about you watching porn.