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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)

#41

Post by samspenc »

tedunangst wrote: post #39
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…

Ironic that your other choice is Ubuntu. They pioneered sending back all your search terms (to Amazon).

Yes, I make sure to turn off that first thing when I run Ubuntu. :)

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

#43

Post by socceroos »

blackbeard wrote: post #29
macspoofing wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I always ask co-workers how much liberty Windows users are willing to sacrifice to continue using their systems. You do realize we live in an era of smartphones, facebook and cloud services. Those liberties have been given up already. Window is looking downright open these days.

Windows is not really open, has never has been and never will be. In fact it is getting worse. There's always a black box at the bottom of every stack trace, a secret in every corner and a cost to every solution be it time or money. Users, myself included, use it because we're stuck.

I'm in the fortunate position to not need Windows for anything other than the odd game. The GNU/Linux desktop has been fulfilling my needs for over a decade now.

In today's internet-centric world, there is little need to have Windows around for anything other than very specific jobs - for the average user.

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

#44

Post by mirimir »

na85 wrote: post #36
mirimir wrote: post #33

There are many reasons to choose Windows. For example, Excel is by far the most powerful spreadsheet app. But using Windows where privacy matters is foolish. And trying to lock it down is pointless. If you need Windows for work, or gaming, or whatever, fine. But dedicate a machine to it. And use a different machine for private stuff, running VirtualBox in Debian. Or Qubes, if you're seriously paranoid ;)

Frankly I find the list of reasons to choose Windows is growing ever shorter. I find Windows 10 to be revolting, and the list of reasons to buy it seems to be: * Games * Industry-specific apps like AutoCAD 99% of Excel users would be satisfied by Google Docs or LibreOffice.

I do agree. And I'll be sticking with Windows 7.

I am indeed mostly happy with LibreOffice Calc, or even Gnumeric. But I'm aware of no other spreadsheet app that calculates on multiple CPU cores. Or gracefully handles spreadsheets well north of 50MB. Windows overall may be revolting, but Excel is a beautiful thing.

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

#47

Post by ams6110 »

jlgaddis wrote: post #15
jerrac wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.…

For that matter, it's really just a matter of faith that the settings completely disable the sending of this information (or disable it at all).

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

#48

Post by aunty_helen »

userbinator wrote: post #35
anonbanker wrote: post #6

Switched from Microsoft products in 1999, back when Palladium started. That was offensive enough. This is downright disgusting. I always ask co-workers how much liberty Windows users are willing to sacrifice to continue using their systems. Seems even I underestimated with Windows 10.

I remember Palladium[1] too. It seems back then people were far more concerned about locked-down devices than they are today, where the majority are willing to accept anything that is advertised as being "more secure" - even secure against them. The media's constant reporting of hacks and leaks certainly doesn't help... I wouldn't consider myself a conspiracy theorist, but this "security culture" today really makes m…

There was a higher bar to access back then. Today devices are made for and used by almost everyone. People haven't become less concerned in total, it's just that there are more people that never cared in the first place using technology.

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

#49

Post by mrestko »

mirimir wrote: post #44
na85 wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Frankly I find the list of reasons to choose Windows is growing ever shorter. I find Windows 10 to be revolting, and the list of reasons to buy it seems to be: * Games * Industry-specific apps like AutoCAD 99% of Excel users would be satisfied by Google Docs or LibreOffice.

I do agree. And I'll be sticking with Windows 7. I am indeed mostly happy with LibreOffice Calc, or even Gnumeric. But I'm aware of no other spreadsheet app that calculates on multiple CPU cores. Or gracefully handles spreadsheets well north of 50MB. Windows overall may be revolting, but Excel is a beautiful thing.

Another area hugely lacking in open source is image manipulation. People who think GIMP is a 1:1 replacement for Photoshop have never used Photoshop.

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

#50

Post by mendelk »

sdrinf wrote: post #28
PaulKeeble wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is actually a very similar list to that seen in Windows 8. Windows 8 was a little bit more sneaky however, when you chose custom they were all disabled but if you select express they were enabled. You haven't done all the things necessary to defend your privacy yet, Windows 10 has spread this stuff all over the operating system, its all enabled by default and you need to find it all.

Is there a checklist available on the settings people might perceive as privacy violation, their operational implication, and howto disable it?

I've seen this posted before, though I can't vouch for its quality:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows10/comments/3f38ed/guide_how...

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