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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.
Why do you need the FTC to block Windows XP? You can block it yourself using the method known as "not buying it" if you don't like it.
It seems to be taking some people quite a while to figure it out, but I've tried it and I can tell you it certainly works. It's considerably more effective than the method called "grubmle and moan to your friends about microsoft and then go out and buy their products" that most people seem to be using.
-- MartinG To mail me: echo kewyjlcxyzvjfxbqwh | tr bcefhjklqvwxyz
First, security details are a non-issue. None of the proposed remedies even address the security concerns.
Just reading through the proposed remedies I have to ask whether these complaints are just there for the sake of bashing Microsoft and propping up competitors:
"An investigation into the information collection practices of Microsoft through Passport and associated services"
...we don't trust them, investigate them!!
"Order Microsoft to revise 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"
...it was clear enough to me when I installed XP that the Passport registration was separate from internet access, after all you have to be connected to the internet before you can register with Passport!!
"Order Microsoft to block the sharing of personal information among Microsoft areas provided by a user under the Passport registration procedures absent explicit consent"
...why just Microsoft? Shouldn't the companies registering this complaint also volunteer their own information sharing policies? Smacks of hypocrasy to me.
"Order Microsoft 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"
...you mean like a fake hotmail account? No one's done that before!
"Order Microsoft 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"
...what's wrong with the other companies? Can't they write code anymore?
"Provide such other relief as the Commission finds necessary to redress injury to consumers resulting from Microsoft's practices as described herein"
...there's been damages? Sheesh!
not to mention the real kicker:
"Begin an investigation to determine whether Passport complies with the requirements of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act."
Oh my GOD!!! Think of the CHILDREN!!!
I'm sorry, but I just don't buy this one as a legitamate complaint. None of these remedies sit anywhere close to fixing any known problem with Passport. Naturally the most obvious remedy is to open the protocol and allow third parties to implement their own Passport servers but that would be too obvious, wouldn't it?
Fear: When you see B8 00 4C CD 21 and know what it means
All I want is to be able to 1) buy a computer from any PC manufacturer I want without ANY operating system, or 2) be able to immediately sell, on eBay let's say, the operating system and junk that comes with a new PC. And not get a nastygram from Microsoft, or the guy who buys it can't run it because of some serial number.
If I buy a car, or a TV, or pretty much anything else, I can strip it down and sell the parts and nobody calls me a "pirate". For instance, I sold a card remote and sensor from an old Discman on eBay. I can remove the tires, or the engine, or the ashtray from my car and give them away or sell them, then add my own.
Why can't I do this with my computer? Why are software companies allowed this power? Really, I want to exercise my capitalistic rights and avoid Microsoft, but it's hard.