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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?"

3 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. Fixed link by Matt+Perry · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's the fixed link: http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/p rivacy.aspx?ln=en

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  2. Get over it, if not, then don't use Windows by shodson · · Score: 5, Funny

    Some of what they are collecting is really disturbing

    Disturbing? Yeah, now that they know your CPU model and BIOS version number they can clearly learn about your cross-dressing hobby.

  3. Let's have a peek: by NanoGator · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "Computer make and model": In order to figure out if particular motherboards need a fix applied. The AGP problem with Athlons immediately comes to mind.

    "Version information for the operating system, browser, and any other Microsoft software for which updates might be available": For security updates to IE, Outlook, Word, etc...

    "Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices": In case there is a fix for a particular bit of hardware. Maybe a DirectX update or something.

    "Region and language setting": What, you don't want your driver interfaces to be in Bulgarian?

    "Globally Unique Identifier (GUID)": Eh, not terribly interested in defending this one unless it's to count how many times a particular machine gets updated. I can't say I'm terribly concerned about this one either.

    "Product ID and Product Key": Filed under D for DUH.

    "BIOS name, revision number, and revision date": Again, may be related to fixes for a particular computer.

    This stuff is far less scary when you read through some of the MSDN articles for quick fixes etc. It's pretty obvious that they attain this info for the Automatic Update to actually work. Damn them for creating this free service!

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