Spam and Privacy

Yes.
But if you would like to keep someone from knowing if you are online/offline, you can simply add that person to your Invisible List.

Follow these steps in order to do this:

1. Click Main > Options.
   
   
2. In the Options window click Privacy Lists from the Advanced list on the left.
   The upper right pane displays your Contact List.
   
   
3. Check the Invisible checkbox for the person you want to add to your Invisible List.