SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Microsoft breaches the Dutch data protection law by processing personal data of people that use the Windows 10 operating system on their computers. This is the conclusion of the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) after its investigation of Windows 10 Home and Pro. Microsoft does not clearly inform users about the type of data it uses, and for which purpose. Also, people cannot provide valid consent for the processing of their personal data, because of the approach used by Microsoft. The company does not clearly inform users that it continuously collects personal data about the usage of apps and web surfing behaviour through its web browser Edge, when the default settings are used. Microsoft has indicated that it wants to end all violations. If this is not the case, the Dutch DPA can decide to impose a sanction on Microsoft.
[...] Due to Microsoft's approach users lack control of their data. They are not informed which data are being used for what purpose, neither that based on these data, personalised advertisements and recommendations can be presented, if those users have not opted out from these default settings on installation or afterwards.
[...] Microsoft can use the collected data for the various purposes, described in a very general way. Through this combination of purposes and the lack of transparency Microsoft cannot obtain a legal ground, such as consent, for the processing of data.
also at RT
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Ethanol-fueled on Sunday October 15 2017, @11:24PM (4 children)
I had addressed this in a previous comment -- Boston Dynamics as a robotics firm is essentially dead and is forced to use off-the-shelf products, rather than proper electrical engineering and systems integration, as a result of cost-cutting. Actually, that's why I'm programming for them when before I was a lowly technician in their mechatronics and later wireless applications division -- because all the good programmers left.
They needed another programmer and now that the company is nicknamed "the resume stain," we can't find other programmers who are willing to work for peanuts. So they surveyed the pool of technicians, and I didn't step forward but everybody else stepped backward. I figured "why the fuck not?" As a recent grad I need professional programming experience and I get to play with some cool toys, and I already had experience programming test software using RS-232/RS-485 and SPI (note: and even that is mostly obsolete now since everybody else and their mom is going the LabView route for their test software).
Now a lot of our work is doing electromechanical art pieces, we are essentially low-priced consultants for artists and other people who want to ride bandwagons without having to learn how to do the work themselves.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 16 2017, @12:09AM (1 child)
Your lack of ambition disgusts me. We want Trump-800 models roaming the streets before Christmas, you'd better start putting in overtime!
(Score: 1) by Ethanol-fueled on Monday October 16 2017, @12:22AM
That knowledge sat in our closed area where only red-badges could go, but when Boston Dynamics got bought out all that stuff got moved over to the Naval Research Laboratory and our closed area was decommissioned. Our FSO left the company shortly afterward.
Like other knowledge of the damned, it sits waiting for a situation where it would actually be needed.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Monday October 16 2017, @02:57PM (1 child)
So in other words Google couldn't figure out how to squeeze advertizing revenue out of robots.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday October 16 2017, @10:50PM
What's so hard to figure out? Have the robot whisper in a guy's ear when he orgasms.