New Messenger Has Same Old, Gaping Privacy Holes

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft released the beta of the new 'Wave 4' Windows Live Essentials last week. The new beta of Windows Live Messenger 2011, while plugging some privacy holes and shoring up the user interface, fails to tackle the one biggest privacy-buster of all. Say you use Messenger to IM your wife. You also use Messenger to IM your old girlfriend. The next time your wife logs on to her Hotmail account — not Messenger, Hotmail — she will see that you and your old girlfriend 'are now friends.' It all happens without your knowledge or permission, and it happens even if you tell Messenger you want your personal information to be 'Private.'"

Comments

Thanks for providing a real world example..

[Niobe]

..we can all relate to

Re:Thanks for providing a real world example..

[larry bagina]

ahh, now I see the gaping hole.

Re:Thanks for providing a real world example..

[izomiac]

I detest examples such as this. They imply that you only need privacy if you're doing something wrong. Why not use one where a person is friends with both a fundamentalist christian and a well-known atheist, or a homosexual and a homophobe? There are countless examples of where doing the right thing has negative repercussions if the wrong people find out about it.

Privacy isn't your right to get away with illegal or immoral behavior. If you frame it as such then people will rightfully point out that you do not have such a right.

Re:Thanks for providing a real world example..

[noidentity]

I think most of us are adept enough to look up things like this pretty quickly. I found lots of useful links explaining what these things are (wife, girlfriend) and was able to follow along.

Re:Open communication?

[Renraku]

You're living in a fantasy world.

Here's how it really goes:
"Oo, she has a nice ass."
[girlfriend glares]
"Why are you looking at her ass?"
"Well, she walked by, I just kind of glanced there."
"Why didn't you glance the other way?"
"I don't know, I just didn't."
"What's wrong with my ass?"
"Nothing's wrong with your ass, I was just making an observation."
"Are you saying my ass is fat?"
"No not at all, I love your ass."

The next day:
"My boyfriend doesn't like my ass any more..I don't think he loves me."
"Aw, it's okay sugar, there's boys everywhere! Let me introduce you to my friend Ronaldo, he's single!"
"Well, okay, since my boyfriend obviously doesn't love me anymore."

A week later:
"Well since you have an infatuation with other women's asses, I'm leaving you for Ronaldo. At least HE says I have a nice ass!"

Ahh, the future of the internet...

[fuzzyfuzzyfungus]

All the lack of privacy and cliquishness of the tiny little towns that people ran like hell to the big city to avoid; but with the systematic asymmetry of information that only modern technocratic corporatism can provide... Just lovely.

Re:Open communication?

[twidarkling]

There's the issue. You assume that he's cheating. Nowhere is that implication beyond your own mind. Thanks for demonstrating why this is an issue.

Re:Open communication?

[secolactico]

A week later:
"Well since you have an infatuation with other women's asses, I'm leaving you for Ronaldo. At least HE says I have a nice ass!"

If you ever find yourself in that situation thank your lucky stars and feel pity for poor Ronaldo.

Re:Open communication?

[Anonymous Coward]

You're living in a fantasy world

Or maybe you're living in relationship-hell. Why date someone so insecure that you have to lie to them?

I'm guessing that you've never dated any real women.

Re:Privacy Setting Windows Live

[bloodhawk]

yes you can, but lets not confuse a MS bashing with facts.