Windows Tracks CDs & DVDs You Watch

lcypher writes "The AP is reporting that there is spyware within Windows Media Player 8(which ships with XP), which records the song titles and DVD titles that a user listens to or views in WMP8. Microsoft execs claim no marketing use right now, but they won't rule it out. " This looks like less of a big deal than the article makes it out to be, but it definitely could be used for evil.

Comments

Re:This is just a local CDDB mirror

[BrookHarty]

The files are stored in
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index\wmplibrary_v_0_12.db
I also saw a file wmplibrary_v_0_12.lrd that had my hostname in it, and a file called WMPImage_AlbumArtLarge.

Actually I use FreeDB so I dont have to give any info out. M$ Didnt even tell users they were being tracked till this article, at least they are going to let people know with an updated privacy statement. We really shouldnt have to wait for someone to point out privacy concerns that the vendor should disclose.
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It seems to me, Golan, that the advance of civilization is nothing but an exercise in the limiting of privacy. - Janov Pelorat in Asimov's Foundation's Edge

This microsoft patent...

[nemo]

FACT:
Microsoft has this patent:
System and methods for selecting music on the basis of subjective content.

OPINION:
I bet they'd love to get their hands on these logs/cache/whatever... if what people choose to listen to doesn't count as subjective, I dunno what does!

Draw your own conclusions. I am merely presenting facts and opinions.

well duh

[twitter]

How else is the Digital Rights Denial OS supposed to work? The terms of thier EULA alow them to scan the contents of your computer. Why bother to send it over the web when you have permision to take it at will? People downplaying this have obviously forgotten all M$ news of the last month. All the pieces fit so well.

Media Player will be used to extort money from users, media companies and advertisers. Microsoft wants to be the asshole in the middle and wants to use that position to make money. They have created their own media formats to break at will, a method to do it, and put it all in their EULA. What more can you ask for? Do you really think that they won't sell your information? Oh, I suppose you forgot how they sold "real estate" on your desktop.

The only way for them to keep themselves in that position is to eliminate every other option. If you continue to use M$, your internet will have three channels and you will never be able to contribute. Your money goes to those who would enslave you.

Let's see, M$ can write files to my computer that I can't delete and can access my computer in ways that I can not. They must be root, and I am not.