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Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

nytimes.com

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Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#11

Post by anonbanker »

electic wrote: post #7
samspenc wrote: post #2

I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.) Anyway, Windows 10: I was a bit shocked at all the information it sends back to Microsoft. As soon as the setup screen comes up, it gives you an option to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install". I chose "Custom Install", and there were about 10 privacy settings that…

I agree. I was quite shocked myself and I also found the descriptions vague. I wasn't even sure what programs are accessing the data. I really think iOS is the only OS has really done permissions right on the 3rd party level and on the OS level.

A linux distro with sane defaults, robust wine scripts, and no personal information compromises, that is easy to install, could take over the world.

I vote KaOS as the base: http://kaosx.us

Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#12

Post by jerrac »

samspenc wrote: post #2

I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.) Anyway, Windows 10: I was a bit shocked at all the information it sends back to Microsoft. As soon as the setup screen comes up, it gives you an option to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install". I chose "Custom Install", and there were about 10 privacy settings that…

Have you run into any articles that detail exactly what is captured and sent off of your computer? Has Microsoft release more than just a little bit of information on what they use that info for?

Not just what the setting screen and privacy policy say.

Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#13

Post by h4ckerish »

0x0 wrote: post #3

I seem to vaguely remember some internet story about how these embedded UUIDs were used to de-mask a person by matching an UUID from a document with a known author against an incriminating document. Or was it matching an Ethernet card's MAC address to an UUID in the .doc? Can't remember any details now.

Not so long ago people were concerned about CPU id. http://courses.ischool.berkeley.edu/i224/s99/GroupJ/whitepap...

Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#14

Post by 0x0 »

ojno wrote: post #10
0x0 wrote: post #3

I seem to vaguely remember some internet story about how these embedded UUIDs were used to de-mask a person by matching an UUID from a document with a known author against an incriminating document. Or was it matching an Ethernet card's MAC address to an UUID in the .doc? Can't remember any details now.

I think you're thinking of the Melissa virus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_(computer_virus) which did indeed get tracked back to its author like that.

That's it! Thanks for the reminder.

Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#15

Post by jlgaddis »

jerrac wrote: post #12
samspenc wrote: post #2

I just got a new PC with Windows 10, replacing an older PC laptop that's a Windows 7 / Ubuntu dual-boot. (I'm running Ubuntu from a VM this time.) Anyway, Windows 10: I was a bit shocked at all the information it sends back to Microsoft. As soon as the setup screen comes up, it gives you an option to choose "Express Install" or "Custom Install". I chose "Custom Install", and there were about 10 privacy settings that…

Have you run into any articles that detail exactly what is captured and sent off of your computer? Has Microsoft release more than just a little bit of information on what they use that info for? Not just what the setting screen and privacy policy say.

It will be impossible to know and/or verify what they're actually sending. Even if they told us exactly what the data contains, though, who will believe them?

Besides, we already know what they'll say: they'll use it for debugging and troubleshooting, to make the products better, and to enhance your user experience. In certain circumstances, they may share the data -- but only with their trusted partners, of course. In no way, however, will they use it for anything "evil".

Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#16

Post by electic »

anonbanker wrote: post #11
electic wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. I was quite shocked myself and I also found the descriptions vague. I wasn't even sure what programs are accessing the data. I really think iOS is the only OS has really done permissions right on the 3rd party level and on the OS level.

A linux distro with sane defaults, robust wine scripts, and no personal information compromises, that is easy to install, could take over the world. I vote KaOS as the base: http://kaosx.us

This looks really good, will give it a spin. Thanks for the heads up!

Re: Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns (1999)

#20

Post by echu_marbdan »

aresant wrote: post #4

I am nostalgic for a Windows I can PAY for that minimizes my participation in the "I am the product" monetization world.

That's a false dichotomy nowadays. Corporations have learned that, even if you pay, they can still get away with having you be the product.

For that matter, Windows 10 isn't free for a bunch of people either, while FOSS, which is typically as far as you can get from being the product, is most often gratis.

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