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from the trying-to-get-the-scoop-on-what-they-scoop-up dept.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation has accused Microsoft of disregarding user choice and privacy with Windows 10. In a scathing editorial, EFF employee Amul Kalia calls on Microsoft to "come clean with its user community" over a growing number of Windows 10 privacy concerns. "Windows 10 sends an unprecedented amount of usage data back to Microsoft," explains Kalia, noting that enabling Cortana increases the amount of data passed to Microsoft. Privacy advocates have argued that Windows 10 sends back location, text input, voice input, touch input, websites you visit, and other telemetry data to Microsoft.
"While users can disable some of these settings, it is not a guarantee that your computer will stop talking to Microsoft's servers," says Kalia. "A significant issue is the telemetry data the company receives." Microsoft has previously insisted it anonymizes telemetry data, but the EFF is concerned the company hasn't explained exactly how it does this. "Microsoft also won't say how long this data is retained, instead providing only general timeframes."
While telemetry data is clearly a concern, the EFF focuses on Microsoft's confusing link between this data and security patches. "Microsoft has tried to explain this lack of choice by saying that Windows Update won't function properly on copies of the operating system with telemetry reporting turned to its lowest level," claims Kalia. "Microsoft is claiming that giving ordinary users more privacy by letting them turn telemetry reporting down to its lowest level would risk their security since they would no longer get security updates."
The story then proceeds to blast Microsoft's Windows 10 upgrade tactics, as well.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 23 2016, @04:54AM
Dick Bathroom-Stall Man has been calling Microsoft the Great Satan for decades. Putting the word out doesn't do fucking shit, moron.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by anubi on Tuesday August 23 2016, @05:49AM
I beg to differ with you.
Thanks to Stallman and people like him, there are a sizable number of us who are aware as to how these traps work.
That's not to say there are still not a helluva lot of people who blindly go where they are led. At least being warned about how the trick works keeps the surprises being planned from being pulled over some of us.
We may have to go along with this mess, reluctantly, but forewarned, leery and having our exit strategies in order.
If you knew the pilot was drunk but there was no way to get there but plane, you know to pack a parachute. There is nothing much we can do for the hordes who think blind obedience is a virtue. The tagline I have used here for years neatly sums up my take on the whole thing. I cannot prove most of the stuff I am told. Nor can anyone else.
A lot of life is like a magic show, and those who are aware of how the trick works are a bit better prepared to make wiser choices.
Otherwise, we are apt to suffer the same fate as the moth flying right into the fire...
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday August 23 2016, @03:55PM
Gotta agree. Stallman is a wierd old bastard, but he gets partial credit for my attitude towards Windows. If we're honest, then most of us would have to admit as much.