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Microsoft To FTC: Don't Tell Us How Long To Retain User Data
Roberto123 writes "In a public response to proposed federal regulations to protect users' privacy online, Microsoft said it is committed to 'privacy by design' but thinks the Federal Trade Commission should use a light regulatory touch. The company 'urges the Commission to avoid imposing prescriptive requirements with respect to data retention periods or in further defining "specific business purpose" or "need."'"
Here's the thing: Microsoft looks out for Microsoft. That's how capitalism works, and it really does help people when capitalism is applied correctly. But having high-level capitalists telling the state what to do with regards to protecting the citizenry is not a correct application of capitalism.
Microsoft needs to look out for Microsoft, the government needs to look out for the safety of the common taxpayers.
It makes some sense to limit the use of privacy-intruding data, regardless of the collecting agency.
We all know that Google collects data - that's their main business, but what is more disturbing is all those cookies that are used to track us and make statistics from. They are really useful to see if someone likes certain car brands and which type of porn that's preferred. So statistical collectors can probably figure out that there is a 25 year old male who drinks Jack Daniels and Coca Cola, living in Texas who likes Ford Mustang and other American Muscle cars, works at Home Depot and prefers anal sex. All that can be determined by combining a collection of cookies stored in your browser and in turn that will control the ads displayed to you when you are surfing.
If builders built buildings the way programmers wrote programs, then the first woodpecker would destroy civilization.
CIA wants them to store it for eternity. FTC wants them to get rid of it ASAP. Make up your mind, The Government!
That's it, we're boned.
"We support privacy in principle, but oppose privacy in practice."
"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies."
Capitalism (when applied correctly) doesn't always help people. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't. Capitalism is just one system and shouldn't be held beyond question.
Dude I just gotta ask: How much does MSFT pay you to shill? Is it an every two week kinda thing, or do you get paid quarterly? How are the benefits? Because from your post you are obviously getting paid because NOBODY kisses that much ass for free!
As for TFA, can we choose none of the above? I don't trust MSFT, and I sure as hell don't trust the government, what with their shredding the constitution practically on a daily basis, so it is kinda a rock and a hard place here. Can we hear from the EFF on this? Because frankly so far they seem to be the ONLY ones who give a shit about privacy anymore.
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
It's simple: If $COMPANY's business model can't cope with not being allowed to store user data for $DURATION then it's too bad for the company. Citizen interests should always trump corporate interests and privacy is in the interest of the citizen. If MSFT, GOOG or any other company relies on being able to mine you for years that doesn't mean everyone has a sacred duty to uphold their business model just because it exists. It's really like with the record companies - they can't comprehend that their business model might not work and would rather adapt society to them than vice versa.
(Of course a paid shill won't care but your post makes for a good entry point to the discussion.)
USE HOT GRITS WITH STATUE OF NATALIE PORTMAN (NAKED AND PETRIFIED)
> You really think they understand computers and IT better than Microsoft? After all, Microsoft has been in the business since the 80's.
You really think we understand state leadership better than Gaddafi? After all, Gaddafi has been in the business since 1969.
---- MISSING MISCELLANEOUS DATA SEGMENT --- [sigdash] trolololol
How do we know that the FTC's intent is to impose an upper bound....
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
How I read the article:
Microsoft: Please Mister FTC, don't delineate what's "legal" so we won't get sued if we find a novel/barely legal/grey area way of selling/otherwise profiting from privacy data.
My answer to them:
Please Mister FTC, if they don't have my permission, in writing, to use my data, for every client they sell it to, it should be illegal.
Each time a client wants to use my data, I should know, and should explicitly allow it.
Thank you, have a nice day
I can be in favor of the gov protecting consumers, but I don't get what is so inherently evil about these companies storing the data that I give them for a long time.
Typically, when I let them have the data I figured they would, at the very least, use it to pick which ads to show me and I really don't mind that.
In my opinion, the real privacy problems lie elsewhere, e.g.
- Selling or sharing my data without proper consent.
- Collecting it without my consent.
- 'Forcing' or tricking me into allowing them to collect my data. For example, if I agree to iTunes terms of service for the iPhone then I'm agreeing to let Apple collect data about my precise location. To me these are too unrelated, and I don't really have any choice.
So, I think this issue is how they collect it and what they do with it, not how many years they store it.