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Microsoft Opts-In Hotmail Users

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the trustworthy-computing dept.

medeii writes "East Side Journal reports that without telling anyone, Microsoft has suddenly changed the privacy preferences for all Hotmail users. They're now sharing your name and other personal information with third parties, even if you said you didn't want that when you signed up. (If you're a user, login, go to Options > Personal Profile, and un-check the boxes at the bottom of that page.)" The same reporter has written a follow-up article today.

4 of 605 comments (clear)

  1. Hotmail became unsuable long ago by CmdrTaco+(editor) · · Score: 0, Troll
    I started out with Hotmail as my first real email address. For a while it was pretty unusable, the servers were slow and went down all the time. I hate to admit it, but the service actually improved after Microsoft bought them.

    But, the downside to having the same email address for such a long amount of time is the fact that my address must be on every spam list known. I get at least 30-40 spams a day, and with the meager 2 MB of space Hotmail allows, if I don't delete all the spam every few days I stop receiving email altogether and get threatened with an account cancellation for exceeding the limit. And yes, in case you're wondering, I have the anti-spam feature on the second highest setting.

    What I'm wondering is what is going to happen with this. If Microsoft starts giving my address to even more companies, and this is assuming they haven't done this already, my inbox will likely fill up faster than I can empty it. Looks like I may have to abandon the address altogether. My main issue is the fact that I registered for my Hotmail account using legit name and address info. This was before I realized what it would be used for, and as such I expect to receive a ton of junk mail via snail mail in the near future.

  2. M$ has "opted" Hotmail users in to MSN spam too by AntiNorm · · Score: 1, Troll

    Microsoft has been sending out quite a bit of MSN-related spam to Hotmail users lately. What really irritates me about this is that not only can this not be filtered out (they send it as a member announcement from staff@hotmail.com), but they also blatantly lie and say that their policy is and always has been to send such emails only to inform Hotmail users of new services that are related to Hotmail. How in the hell is MSN a service that is directly related to Hotmail?

    --

    I pledge allegiance to the flag...
    of the Corporate States of America...
  3. Re:New TOS? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    You asked: Is it legal to agree to one document that links to terms in another document?

    If one of those links contained some bombshell, such as communicating a term completely opposite of what they communicate overall then it would be not be legal.

  4. Re:Boycott Microsoft and Their Partners by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Do not do business with Microsoft or their Partners. Get rid of all your Microsoft software the trash can is a good place to put it. Tell your boss that you will not use Microsoft Products that you will use Linux can you install Linux on your Workstation or bring in your Linux Laptop. Another option is a bootable live file system or a floopy baised linux at work. Do not visit Microsoft or their Partners websites. If you Boycott them their revenue stream drys up and they will be forced to change their ways or go out of business. You the consumer have the power to turn tables on Microsoft and their Partners. If you work in a Microsoft shop go over to http://www.dice.com and http://www.monster.com and get a job in a Linux or Unix shop. Refuse to support Microsoft products period. If you have a dual boot get rid of your Microsoft Windows partition you do not need Microsoft shit Linux is ready for the Desktop.