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Microsoft Exposes Locations of PCs and Phones
suraj.sun sends this excerpt from CNET:
"Microsoft has collected the locations of millions of laptops, cell phones, and other Wi-Fi devices around the world and makes them available on the Web without taking the privacy precautions that competitors have, CNET has learned. The vast database available through Live.com publishes the precise geographical location, which can point to a street address and sometimes even a corner of a building, of Android phones, Apple devices, and other Wi-Fi enabled gadgets. Unlike Google and Skyhook Wireless, which have compiled similar lists of these unique Wi-Fi addresses, Microsoft has not taken any measures to curb access to its database."
we're surprised?
Get a web developer
I didn't see this coming, but should have!
After all the lawsuits that Google had to go through, who was the genius at Microsoft that thought this was a good idea?
Isn't this similar to what Google is being sued over? Though Google didn't make it publicly available and came forth stating they goofed, they still are in court over the WiFi info collection incident. Where do we sign up for the Class Action against M$?!
All the full article really says is that someone could tie a MAC address to a location. So? Knowing your MAC address gives me almost no information about you -- nothing personally identifiable, anyways, unless I have an unrelated method of attaching your MAC to you personally (such as having physical access to your phone...). So the information is entirely useless for someone trying to invade your privacy, unless there's something I'm missing (that wasn't included in the article).
Well it isn't Apple that's doing it, so what does it matter?
That's like, what, 3 people?
It would be nice if devices had the ability to limit the GPS accuracy for all applications. Something that would allow them to return circular (Spherical?) regions that are defined to fall on a LAT/LON boundry so it doesn't place you in the center of the circle. Have the lowest region be exact LAT/LON, then 100 meters, 1km, 10km, 100km and off. This would only be helpful if the device itself did it to prevent companies with no common sense from doing this.
Sharing your personal information is part of Microsoft's efforts to be more open.
I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
None of the articles covering this include a link to the alleged maps, and I can't find it on the web.
SOMEONE PLEASE PROVIDE A LINK!!!
But clearly you have something better to say...
The only difference is that MS are letting us see what they have. Google have collected the same data and more. (And bear in mind anyone with a fleet of vans could do the same). When it comes to violating my privacy, I don't think I have more faith in any of these companies than I do in random strangers on the internet.
I am trolling
Their security consultant, Mark Zuckerberg, said it was OK.
"National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
... with an old herring. They deserve it.
"I'm taking this loop off." - Jack O'Neill
Ok, why does Google, Microsoft, and others map out Wi-Fi locations?
I'm at a loss here, it's not like they are only mapping out public Wi-Fi.
Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
Sounds like a nice juicy chunk of data for your big-brother in Washington DC.... Sure glad I don't use any MS online crap....
"Stanford researcher Elie Bursztein says Microsoft should adopt the same location-privacy protections that Google implemented last month."
Last month already? Gosh, I'm so impressed with Google... NOT.
People bitched up a fever when it was google.
http://www.aptiquant.com/news/is-internet-explorer-for-the-dumb-a-new-study-suggests-exactly-that/
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Sounds like a burglar's christmas wish come true. Assuming the burglar doesn't post his actions to facebook, I think the privacy implications for this are far worse than what Google's streetview has done.
and this was my idea...
It sounds like we're due for a protocol change where these addresses are updated to prevent long-term tracking. Give the operator the choice of static or randomized. Some work would have to be done to ensure devices would continue to correctly identify a network they've previously connected to. But some of those details ignored, I think everyone gets my point here. The thing here is which I don't get is that the broadcast id of these routers isn't typically available to anyone intercepting your IP traffic. So this database won't help someone find you unless your machine has been compromised. Perhaps one solution is to have network hardware watch for the Ids but hide them from the OS. That would prevent a compromised machine from revealing its location while at the same time allowing for the broadcast Id to useful for assisted GPS. I'd be a little sad if we lost the awesome navigational benefits due to privacy concerns without first considering protocol/implementation fixes to address the concerns.
One great example is indoor maps. You can get maps for the inside of a mall now as part of your smartphone's map app. You just zoom in on the mall and it turns into an indoor map. Without the wifi, you're not going to have an accurate location marker inside.
Or so the summary says. So, what about Windows Phone 7?
"If you buy one of our phones, we can see to it that the bad guys don't find you. Otherwise, there's no telling what bad stuff might happen."
Microsoft has not taken any measures to curb access to its database
So? Why bother? If it's Microsoft security, then what difference would it make?
Microsoft released their source code and swore that this wouldn't happen, right? RIGHT?
Typical of the declining company not to realize that it is no longer the 800 pound gorilla who ignored international web standards for 2 decades. I hope they get all the grief that Apple got after the first round.... And more. Their security people and lawyers should have known. Publishing it also makes the crime even more heinous... Constitute illegal profits at public expense!