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Next week Microsoft will begin the slowish rollout of its big update to Windows 10, the Creators Update.
Right now, it's doing a little damage control, and preempting complaints about privacy, by listing the types of information its operating system will automatically and silently leak from PCs, slabs, and laptops back to Redmond.
When Windows 10 came out, Reg readers were alarmed by the volume of information the software was collecting and sending back to base. Ever since then, Microsoft has been fighting a PR battle to reassure people that such data slurping isn't all bad – it's "just" telemetry and diagnostics and potentially your files.
Now Redmond's had a little rethink for the Creators Update, and decided to come clean on exactly what the software will phone home – even insisting the closed-source operating system will scoop up less surveillance this time.
What makes you think it's your data?
(Score: 2, Disagree) by Lester on Saturday April 08 2017, @03:15PM (11 children)
Unfortunately you don't have that many options. We are not in the year of linux desktop.
On the other hand, I agree that spyware preinstalled at OS level is unaceptable: Microsoft, apple, android or ubuntu
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Saturday April 08 2017, @03:33PM (3 children)
Android spyware isn't installed at the OS level. That spyware is installed by the (real) purchasers. Telcos and others, who order the phones by the tens or hundreds of thousands specify exactly what they want - then you buy the pre-loaded spyware from the telcos.
I just wrote "spayware", and corrected it. Now I'm thinking maybe it didn't need to be corrected. If you're buying the spyware from them, then you are their bitch, and they may want to spay you.
Nothing personal in that Lester, just word association is all. Or, misassociation. No mysogenation though, because I'm not Democrat enought.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Saturday April 08 2017, @03:50PM (2 children)
The problem with operator-phones is that you can't de-install software..
Even if it sucks..
(Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Sunday April 09 2017, @01:24AM (1 child)
It's a huge reason to root them. Most people have no idea how fast their hardware can be when not encumbered by vampire processes. A second reason to kill spyware dead is it really helps to get people to leave you the hell alone. Spam decreases, sales calls fade, junk mail stops clogging your mailbox. Lastly it helps to age out of the most desireable demographic, male 18-30yr old; if there are ad-averse millenials out there, do what you can to cast yourself as 60 years old.
Washington DC delenda est.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Monday April 10 2017, @11:15PM
When I think about rooting, it's essentially just a step to replace the whole OS. Because it simple can't be trusted. The radio-modem still remains but there are other ways to thwart that pathway.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Saturday April 08 2017, @03:53PM (6 children)
Don't let whatever you buy boot with a internet connection to phone-home anything? Let it start with a Linux-nuclear-disc?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Sunday April 09 2017, @02:38AM (5 children)
Yes, root the device, and install whatever it is you need. I'm not certain, but I think if you start with an Android phone, you pretty much have to stay with Android. (that due to driver issues primarily) But, it need not be spyware-laden Android. I've browsed here and there, and seen enough to know that you can download Android source code, compile and install it.
It looks like a minor pain in the ass - or maybe a major pain if you've never done anything like it. But, in exchange for a few hours of work, you get a phone that YOU pwn instead of being pwn'd. I think it a fair exchange. Those who don't see the point will continue to be pwn'd by which ever marketer manages to sell them a new shiny.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Monday April 10 2017, @11:28PM (4 children)
Do you think something like "net-be-es-dee" is doable?
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday April 11 2017, @01:17AM (3 children)
Possibly - if they have the drivers for BSD. If you go down that road, plan to spend a lot of time on it. That may be silly advice though, because BSD people spend a lot of time on simple installations, LOL.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Tuesday April 11 2017, @01:41AM (2 children)
So drivers is the killer issue?
I'll guess even Linux won't have any accelerated graphics driver? because that seems to be where many free projects hit the wall.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday April 11 2017, @01:27PM (1 child)
Drivers have been a "killer issue" for non-Windows OS's for a long time. My best suggestion, is to start searching for you specific hardware, and search for BSD drivers for that hardware. If the drivers exist, great. If they don't exist, maybe some other unix-like will work. If not - start a project. Or, offer a bounty. That's generally how stuff gets done in the *nix world. People step up and take charge of something because they want that something.
(Score: 2) by kaszz on Tuesday April 11 2017, @03:09PM
I know the drill. Just haven't tried to mess with mobile phones that much. Though they are interesting as they have DRAM + CPU + Screen + USB + Permanent storage + Radio modem + Uninterruptible power supply all integrated into a package almost for free.