Microsoft claims in their EULA they will share the content of files stores on local hard drives, which implies they have given themselves the ability to view (which means copy) information which is protected by law from viewing and copying, including HIPAA protected hospital information, copyright protected content, our 4th ammendment protections, government secrets, and even your child’s photos. All this junk they post here sidesteps the main issue by couching this in ambiguous “legal-speak” like “personal information” and other bologne. We need strong laws and affirmations from Microsoft (and at this point government regulators), that Microsoft WILL NOT and has in fact CRIPPLED its own ability to view (= copy) such files stored on local machines. Any computer grad student worth his/her salt, could easily construct such a P2P encrypted system for a few thousand. Microsoft fails to do this despite its billinos. It’s illegal and antitrust. Without this assurance and enforcement of the laws of this land, this is all nonsense and meaningless.
A Hartley
6 years ago
Absolutely. Windows is NOT freeware and does NOT need to sell our data to offset costs. If Microsoft want to provide an ‘enhanced’ service by allowing advertisers and other service providers to access my personal data so that they can ‘target’ me, then give me the option to ‘opt-in’ to this facility. Having demonstrated that they are not fit and secure custodians of personal data they now want me to use a two-step verification using a cell-phone??? This hegemon has totally over-developed its business – operating systems & basic software utilities – and should now diversify so that it can focus on getting a fast, light, secure operating system for serious users into place. Their misuse of their growing power to control any machine foolish enough to use their recent products is real cause for concern. As a serious personal computer user, I am perfectly happy with W7 – even that has far too many ‘widgets’ that I never use and just slow down my machines. It’s time to push for an ‘opt-in’ model to everything except the bare-bones op-sys.
Just Tired of It
6 years ago
Seems like I’m spending half my time discovering new unrequested apps that clog up my computer and breach my privacy. These should all be opt-in, not opt-out. I shouldn’t have to do research to discover all the features that I never asked for that need deleting.
Microsoft claims in their EULA they will share the content of files stores on local hard drives, which implies they have given themselves the ability to view (which means copy) information which is protected by law from viewing and copying, including HIPAA protected hospital information, copyright protected content, our 4th ammendment protections, government secrets, and even your child’s photos. All this junk they post here sidesteps the main issue by couching this in ambiguous “legal-speak” like “personal information” and other bologne. We need strong laws and affirmations from Microsoft (and at this point government regulators), that Microsoft WILL NOT and has in fact CRIPPLED its own ability to view (= copy) such files stored on local machines. Any computer grad student worth his/her salt, could easily construct such a P2P encrypted system for a few thousand. Microsoft fails to do this despite its billinos. It’s illegal and antitrust. Without this assurance and enforcement of the laws of this land, this is all nonsense and meaningless.
Absolutely. Windows is NOT freeware and does NOT need to sell our data to offset costs. If Microsoft want to provide an ‘enhanced’ service by allowing advertisers and other service providers to access my personal data so that they can ‘target’ me, then give me the option to ‘opt-in’ to this facility. Having demonstrated that they are not fit and secure custodians of personal data they now want me to use a two-step verification using a cell-phone??? This hegemon has totally over-developed its business – operating systems & basic software utilities – and should now diversify so that it can focus on getting a fast, light, secure operating system for serious users into place. Their misuse of their growing power to control any machine foolish enough to use their recent products is real cause for concern. As a serious personal computer user, I am perfectly happy with W7 – even that has far too many ‘widgets’ that I never use and just slow down my machines. It’s time to push for an ‘opt-in’ model to everything except the bare-bones op-sys.
Seems like I’m spending half my time discovering new unrequested apps that clog up my computer and breach my privacy. These should all be opt-in, not opt-out. I shouldn’t have to do research to discover all the features that I never asked for that need deleting.