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Windows Update v5 Gathering Too Much Information?

Posted by Cliff on from the don't-look-so-surprised dept.

LucasR asks: "I was testing out Microsoft's Windows Update v5 and read their latest privacy statement from April 15th of this year, and it appears they are collecting and storing more information than ever. Here is only some of what they are now collecting: computer make and model, version information for the operating system, browser, and any other Microsoft software for which updates might be available, Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices, and IP address (though only for aggregate statistics so they claim). Some of what they are collecting is really disturbing. I use Microsoft's products but I don't recall wanting them to know everything about my computer and what competing applications I might use. Check it out for yourself. Isn't this amount of collected information a bit much?"

4 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. invited... not really by zoloto · · Score: 2, Interesting

    i connected to windowsupdate recently and manually changed the v4.windo---- to v5.windo--- just for kicks (b/c of rumors etc) and instantly i was sent to the new site.

    It was interesting and they automatically update your "windows update" client that's on your PC. Oh yeah, even very FIRST generation versions of XP licenses aren't valid (i have a valid license but they say it's not... so I'm a bit confused.)

    anywho. it's not an invite only thing. but maybe it is if it won't verify my key..?? perhaps so.

    1. Re:invited... not really by Delf · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Windows Update version 5 is being rolled out as part of the XP Service Pack 2 stuff, so if you don't have the XP SP 2 beta installed, that would explain why it won't validate you.

      Installing SP 2 does require you to accept a EULA.

  2. The Slashdot Paradox by fluor2 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I think its really a paradox that I actually feel SAFER when doing these update internet thingies on Windows, since we have all those people around the world, monitoring what Microsoft do every day.

    I'm sure it would be even in the news if Microsoft did something that was not allowed by laws of your government.

    However, wget a mySUPER-GPL-programtar.gz leaves me with much less security when I run ./configure make and such. Coz the userbase for that program might be very small, and sending private information might be un-known to the general public.

    I sure hate the fact.

  3. Re:Standard practice... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting
    All these anit MS freaks just dont understand. The more data you have, the more accurate your solutions can be.

    If there is some obscure driver in a turtle beach sound card which causes an IE update to crash, they will know about it just by the numbers.

    Try supporting a 200+ user environment. Then let me know if you think hardware/software reporting are a bad thing.