> MS collects user data but so do Ubuntu and CentOS... not to the extent Google and FB do it.
They're working on it though.
I just installed Windows 10 for the first time on a brand new computer I bought. I was shocked to discover that I could not make an account on my own personal machine without "logging in" to a Microsoft service either with an existing or new email address. I looked up tutorials to skip that step but they all pointed to a button ("No account" or something like that) that was not on my screen, I swear. No button was provided to skip logging into a Microsoft account. Next, I had to give them my phone number for user verification. Also no way to skip that step. I had to wait for a verification code, which by the way failed, (got the message, they didn't accept the code), tried again, never got the new message.. figured out how to back out of that, then provided a proper email... Once set up, in making extra user accounts on the machine, they now differentiate for some reason between "Family" users and non-"Family" users.
This is on MY PERSONAL COMPUTER. I literally want to just be able to use Microsoft Word on the rare occasion that I am forced to use it, and I found myself having to fork over my phone number and make TWO accounts. (One for ASUS too for some reason.) I found the whole process of setting up Windows shockingly invasive. I even had to explicitly opt out of letting them advertise to me on my own personal computer, and sending my personal info to advertisers. Not on websites. There are ads on like.. the file explorer or something. I mean, what the hell? What is this a shopping mall kiosk? No, it's a laptop I bought and paid for! Why would I want ADS?
I dual-booted Ubuntu on it right away, who wanted nothing but my name and desired username, and provided extremely clear method to opt out of submitting my info to Ubuntu servers, and am happily using that now with no issues.
MS definitely want your personal information, they just aren't as good at getting it as FB. I wouldn't give them a pass on privacy, not with how Windows 10 is now organized.