Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
Microsoft has said that not only will it embrace a new data privacy law in California, due to come into force in the New Year, but will extend the same protections to everyone in the US.
In a blog post by the software giant’s chief privacy officer, Julie Brill is enthusiastic about the new law which has been the subject to extensive lobbying by tech giants like Google and Facebook to water down its contents.
Microsoft, as with Apple, appears to view strong privacy as an opportunity to differentiate itself from its online competitors. “Our approach to privacy starts with the belief that privacy is a fundamental human right and includes our commitment to provide robust protection for every individual,” Brill wrote, adding: “We are strong supporters of California’s new law and the expansion of privacy protections in the United States that it represents.”
She also took several pot shots at Congress’ ongoing failure to agree on a federal data privacy policy, noting that “a lack of action by the United States Congress to pass comprehensive privacy legislation continues to be a serious issue for people who are concerned about how their data is collected, used and shared… In the absence of strong national legislation, California has enacted a landmark privacy law.” Brill is a former commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
That law - the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) - “marks an important step toward providing people with more robust control over their data in the United States,” she wrote, adding that it “also shows that we can make progress to strengthen privacy protections in this country at the state level even when Congress can’t or won’t act.”
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 13 2019, @05:39AM
But they'll likely *file* suit to protect their gravy train.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Wednesday November 13 2019, @06:00AM (1 child)
Exactly this.
Microsoft doesn't give a fuck about privacy anymore than Google or FB do. Privacy isn't in any of those company's DNA: the only concern they have is to generate revenues for their shareholders no matter what it takes. It's just that Microsoft is probably feeling people's deeper and deeper distrust of Big Data and is trying to market themselves as the good guys.
The problem with that is, I fully expect Microsoft not to keep their promises if they can get away with it...
(Score: 2) by BsAtHome on Wednesday November 13 2019, @06:20AM
An this is exactly what we see with the GDPR in EU. There are lots of words from XYZ Inc., but when it comes to changing behavior, that is lacking. Especially all gray areas are there to exploit until the courts say no. That is not in the spirit of the law in question. However, it is standard operating procedure for Big and Little corporation.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 13 2019, @07:11AM (1 child)
Windows 10.
1) A free-to-play operating system as one of your fundamental revenue generators
2) A high value on consumer privacy and protection.
Pick one. All this indicates is that they've determined there are plentiful loopholes in the California law which should surprise nobody.
(Score: 2) by EvilSS on Wednesday November 13 2019, @03:05PM
Fixed that for ya
(Score: 2, Interesting) by webnut77 on Wednesday November 13 2019, @02:19PM
Microsoft's Windows 10 slurps your data and sends it to the mothership. Meanwhile, Microsoft says:
Does this mean the end of telemetry?
(Score: 3, Insightful) by EvilSS on Wednesday November 13 2019, @03:03PM (1 child)
(Score: 2) by corey on Thursday November 14 2019, @01:30AM
Nail on the head.
TFA is the marketing department crafting a clever tactical response in line with their strategy.
In the other departments, it's all steam ahead hoovering up data for ad revenue and three letter agencies.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 13 2019, @03:37PM (1 child)
“Our approach to privacy starts with the belief that privacy is a fundamental human right and includes our commitment to provide robust protection for every individual,”
globohomo hug box.
(Score: 2) by HiThere on Wednesday November 13 2019, @05:52PM
Yeah. If Apple had said that, I might have a certain amount of belief in it. Apple has, occasionally, exhibited concern for privacy in the past. When MS says it........well, historical precedent is against believing them.
Javascript is what you use to allow unknown third parties to run software you have no idea about on your computer.