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Microsoft's Consent-or-Die Patent

Posted by Zonk on from the i'm-more-of-a-cake-or-death-man-myself dept.

theodp writes "Maybe you shouldn't get too attached to those new Windows Live services. On Tuesday, the USPTO granted Microsoft a patent for privacy policy change notification, which describes how to threaten users with the loss of their accounts and access to web sites and services should they refuse to consent to changes in a privacy policy. This includes the case where a user might object to allowing personal information, collected earlier with a promise of confidentiality, to be shared in the future with third parties. Also described is a 'Never Notify Me' option so you won't have to 'worry' over privacy policy changes."

6 of 179 comments (clear)

  1. What is this, anyway? by FlyByPC · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...they're trying to outdo Google by embracing a "Don't be Good" motto?

    --
    Paleotechnologist and connoisseur of pretty shiny things.
  2. Good by thetagger · · Score: 4, Funny

    They have patented an unethical behaviour. Does that mean it will be harder for other people to do what the patent describes? Please?

    1. Re:Good by Dunbal · · Score: 4, Funny

      They have patented an unethical behaviour. Does that mean it will be harder for other people to do what the patent describes? Please?

            No, it just means they will sue your pants off if you are more unethical than they are.

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
    2. Re:Good by muellerr1 · · Score: 4, Funny

      They have patented an unethical behaviour. Does that mean it will be harder for other people to do what the patent describes? Please?

      No, it just means they will sue your pants off if you are more unethical than they are.
      If you are more unethical than they are, your pants are probably already off.
      --
      steampunk web design
  3. Re:You won't die. by Reverend528 · · Score: 5, Funny

    If your pacemaker is hooked up to a microsoft website, you're probably already dead.

    --
    Badass Resumes
  4. Would it be legal? by 140Mandak262Jamuna · · Score: 4, Funny
    Supposing I make a TShirt that says, "By looking at this T-Shirt you agree not to sleep with me. However I am free to change the terms of the contract, and agree that you don't have to notified of any change I make to this policy." and then ... you can imagine the rest.

    Your Honor, I plead not guilty to the charges, as it was consensual. As per my consent notification system (defense exhibit A, the T-Shirt) and my consent management system, it is very clear that I have implied consent of the plaintiff.

    --
    sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact