Looking online for a generally accepted standard on the behaviors of spyware is difficult. An example of one is the "AntiSpyware Coalition" but their last "newsroom" update was in 2008.
Spyware generally attempts to install itself without your consent, and resists attempts to legitimately remove it.
The Java installer provides a check box allowing you to opt-out of Ask.com toolbar installation, and also, the uninstaller does cleanly remove the software (though I don't know if it resets default settings to the way they were before install). So by leaving the box checked and clicking Next in the installer you allowed the install.
I am not sure if the Ask.com toolbar collects personal information. It's possible that it does - I believe toolbars can collect things in relation to the browser, such as URLs you type, browsing history, etc. though you would have to study the provided APIs by Internet Explorer in regard to third-party browser extensions to be sure. Please note I do not know for a fact that the Ask.com toolbar does this. The Ask.com EULA that you agree to by clicking on may permit it, and you should read it (I haven't).
You just have to pay attention to the installer dialogs instead of blindly clicking through it.
Anyway, as others have mentioned, you can just remove it from Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features and it is gone.
6For all intents and purposes, while I would label the Ask Toolbar as no less than adware, I wouldn't go as far as to say it's spyware and harvesting your information (Oracle is a fairly reputable company, although that is still no excuse for this toolbar bundling IMHO). That being said, you can always uninstall it after the fact should you have concerns (esp. if you never end up using it). The toolbar is optional and you can skip it during the installation. – Breakthrough – 2013-07-14T05:12:28.653
Are we talking about "ask.com"? What does ask have to do with Minecraft? Minecraft may need java, but what does that have to do with using ask?(assuming we are talking about "ask.com".) I don't believe ask (.com) would risk user out-cry by searching your hard drive. However, "ask" is completely unrelated to java or Minecraft. Please clarify does ask refer to "ask.com". – cybernard – 2013-07-14T05:14:21.407
2@cybernard When you download the JRE from Oracle, during the install process, it asks you to install the "ask.com" toolbar. You can decline this step and still install the JRE or uninstall it after the install completes. – Scott Chamberlain – 2013-07-14T06:02:48.653
2It should be pointed out that the ask toolbar waits 10 minutes before installing, meaning that it acts EXTREMELY like a virus and you have to remember to uninstall it. – Jon – 2013-07-14T06:16:21.703
@ScottChamberlain Oh I forgot about that. I always automatically uncheck that so I never get it. – cybernard – 2013-07-14T15:00:08.127
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– nhinkle – 2013-07-15T00:07:29.307Related: http://superuser.com/questions/549028/how-can-i-prevent-ask-com-toolbar-from-being-installed-every-time-java-is-update
– gronostaj – 2013-07-22T06:45:50.333