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Groups Push FTC to Act on MS XP, Passport
BuckMulligan writes: "EPIC and a coalition of consumer and privacy groups have renewed their calls for FTC action to protect consumers from the privacy risks associated with Windows XP and Passport. In a letter sent to the FTC, the groups criticized the FTC for not upholding its statutory duty to protect consumers in light of the planned release of Windows XP. More information on the groups' previous FTC complaints is stored on the EPIC Microsoft Passport Page." So who here thinks the FTC is going to block Windows XP? Me neither. The other remedies requested (toward the middle of the letter) are interesting, though.
"The FTC has carefully considered the allegations against Microsoft and, more specifically, the Windows XP operating system and Passport data storage center. It is our decision that these charges are unfounded, and that Microsoft will be allowed to continue unimpeded with their designs. The reasons for our ruling are far too complex to go into at this time, but rest assured that we gave the matter considerable, unbiased contemplation. By the way, do you like my hat? It's made of money! Are you staying for lunch? We're having money!"
(Punchline uncerimoniously stolen from Penny Arcade)
Look at what they want... this is silly...
An investigation into the information collection practices of Microsoft through Passport and associated services.
Translation: We don't know if they are doing anything wrong or not, please go on a fishing expedition for us.
A revision to the XP registration procedures so that purchasers of Microsoft XP are clearly informed that they need not register for Passport to obtain access to the Internet.
Why? Should they have to say you don't have to register for passport to use Notepad too? Silly.
An order to incorporate techniques for anonymity and pseudo-anonymity that would allow users of Windows XP to gain access to Microsoft web sites without disclosing their actual identity
Why? Their MS's web sites... if they say, "Sorry, you have to paint your nipples blue to access this web site", don't they have that right?
An order to incorporate techniques that would enable users of Windows XP to easily integrate services provided by non-Microsoft companies for online payment, electronic commerce, and other Internet-based commercial activity
Hmm... I used Yahoo Wallet on my computer running XP and it worked just fine... doesn't that qualify for the above?
An investigation to determine whether Passport complies with the requirements of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
Translation: We don't know if they are doing anything wrong or not, please go on a fishing expedition for us.
Don't these groups have anything better to do? I know they have to raise a stink once in a while to keep the money rolling in, but damn, they sure look like they are desparately grasping at straws here.
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