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Windows 8 Tells Microsoft About Everything You Install
musicon writes "According to Nadim Kobeissi, Windows 8 is configured by default (using a new featured called Windows SmartScreen) to immediately tell Microsoft about every app you download and install. This is a very serious privacy problem, specifically because Microsoft is the central point of authority and data collection/retention here and therefore becomes vulnerable to being served judicial subpoenas or National Security Letters intended to monitor targeted users. This situation is exacerbated when Windows 8 is deployed in countries experiencing political turmoil or repressive political situations."
While SmartScreen is enabled by default, it's possible for users to turn it off. Also, it's worth noting that Microsoft is hardly alone in this regard, given the rise of app stores over the past several year. (Not that it exculpates this behavior.)
I like your vision of a privacy-invasion free world.
Don't want to be videotaped? Don't go outside.
Don't want to be wiretapped? Don't use a phone.
Don't want medical records in the wild? Don't go to a doctor.
Visionary indeed.
No you won't. Quit trolling for +5.
If you are going to blame Microsoft for what third party software does on your computer, then you can't also blame them when they start to track and address such problems. With things like EAs Origin, Steam, etc, what you do on your computer is no longer just your business. At least Microsoft lets you turn it off.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
Does Windows 8 have an opt-out feature?
Yes, they do.
Also, it's worth noting that Microsoft is hardly alone in this regard, given the rise of app stores over the past several year. (Not that it exculpates this behavior.)
Can't compare this. If I download something from the Play Store, I know Google knows I install that app. After all I have to log in using my Google account, and use their app to download from their store. Afaik they do not know what I install from third-party sources, like alternative app stores. Nor do they have any right knowing that.
Apparently MS monitors what you install from third-party sources. Without telling you, and without asking explicit permission. That's simply evil. They have no business knowing what I install from third-party sources. The fact that this data is stored in some foreign country (the US is a foreign country to me, and some 95% of the world's overall population) with notoriously poor privacy protection only helps making it a lot worse.
Also, it's worth noting that Microsoft is hardly alone in this regard, given the rise of app stores over the past several year.
Come on. This is just excuse-making - sure in any given app store the store owner knows what you downloaded - by definition they had to for you to download it!
But here aren't we talking about a more general notion that ANY application installed from anywhere is known by Microsoft? When you use the Amazon app store on Android, does Google know what you have? When I use Cydia on a iPhone, Apple doesn't know what applications I install from there... on the Mac I can use the app store but if I get applications from elsewhere Apple doesn't know about those either.
Just because App Stores exist does not give Microsoft the right to track every app installed.
"There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
What's wrong with sticking with Windows 7 for now?
It's not like Windows 7 is automatically obsolete as soon as 8 hits the market.
App stores will know everything you download from them for the same reason any other retailer would, you bought it there so there is a transaction record. This is tracking and sending to Microsoft information about EVERY application you download outside of their eventual marketplace. Apple doesn't know that I downloaded Handbreak from their site but with this Microsoft would, or to put it in a way that could cause an issue, Apple doesn't know that I downloaded LOIC, but Microsoft would. That is why it becomes an issue over and above something like the Mac App Store.
"I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
Is Windows 7 really that bad? I spent about 10 minutes customizing it and find it to be a much better experience than XP. The only thing that chews my balls is the lack of an included utility to password-protect .zip files, but aside from that, I can't think of anything I really dislike about it.
You mean don't try to be Apple badly. Even though Lion and Mountain Lion added iOS features, they didn't force iOS as the default UI onto their desktop/laptop OS users.
Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
Where do we find companies that have respect for user/consumer rights, because I would be happy to use their products and services.
Just a dude. Stuck in IT.
Does Windows 8 have an opt-out feature?
Yes, they do.
But even if you use those opt outs on your new computer you still pay the Microsoft tax.
Isn't that equivalent to the answer of 'If you don't want Windows SmartScreen to tell Microsoft about your installed apps, go into Privacy and turn it off.'?
It would seem to me that the point the parent was making is that Chrome's data reporting habits and this new one in Windows 8 are effectively the same. Both are enabled by default, and both report data back to their 'owners'. That both have an 'opt out' to turn them off really doesn't differentiate or describe either one as awesome with regards to privacy.
I know this is meant as a joke, but the reality is that Linux truly is ready for the desktop right this second.
1. Xorg.conf nightmares ended years ago.
2. A fresh Windows install means a lot of your hardware doesn't work and you have to hunt for drivers from third party websites. This is particularly fun if it is your wireless network card that isn't working. For the most part, hardware "just works" in Linux these days.
3. Out of the box on a Linux install, you likely have most of the apps you already need. If you don't, then installing and managing your software is a breeze.
4. Even as people praise Windows 7, it did retain a lot of usability regressions from Vista. It is somewhat a matter of opinion, but I'd contend that KDE is the most usable desktop out there currently. If you disagree, you can run Unity, Gnome 3, or whatever you want in Linux. You're not bound to one UI you don't like (such as the new Metro UI in Windows 8).
5. Linux can pass the Grandma test. People often suggest you have to re-learn a new OS. I'd contend that it is easier to give Grandma a KDE desktop than a Windows 8 PC. I converted my 60 year old mother to openSUSE and KDE. She was reticent at first, but came to really like it.
6. Linux is secure. You don't have to worry about viruses, spyware, etc. You spend your time using your computer as opposed to fixing your computer.
7. Have a Windows app you can't leave behind? There is a decent chance it runs in Wine. And since we have shifted more to web-based apps, desktop apps are less important today than they were 10 years ago.
No OS or desktop is perfect, but if you did an objective comparison today of what is the easiest and best OS to run on your desktop/laptop for most people today, I truly believe Linux would come out on top.
http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
Technically, Ubuntu offers an option to collect download and installation data from the software center. I believe it prompts you though and clearly explains that's it's anonymous.
Every time I start to have faith in humanity, I ruin it by driving to work between 7 and 8 am.
Try holding down ctrl as you run it the first time, then select to run it. It won't ask you again.
Also, it actually asks you if you will allow data to be sent to Apple. While I don't agree with it, at least it asks and you have a choice. Then again, even Debian has data returning home, by choice.
Thanks for playing.
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