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Microsoft Denies Windows 8 App Spying Via SmartScreen

Posted by timothy on from the wall-of-separation dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Microsoft has denied Windows 8 SmartScreen is spying after research by Nadim Kobeissi indicated otherwise." Whether it's "spying" or not, Microsoft is collecting certain information with SmartScreen — the key is what's done with it: The article quotes a Microsoft spokesperson: "We don’t use this data to identify, contact or target advertising to our users and we don’t share it with third parties."

6 of 198 comments (clear)

  1. use of information doesn't matter by sylvandb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Collecting the information IS spying.

    How the information is used after being collected does not matter for determining spying, only the motivation for spying.

  2. Sensationalism by Altanar · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I see /. is in for another round of anti-Windows 8 sensationalism. Please read the Ars Technica article talking about this before commentating.

    1. Re:Sensationalism by LateArthurDent · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I see /. is in for another round of anti-Windows 8 sensationalism. Please read the Ars Technica article talking about this before commentating.

      Ah, sweet irony. Your Ars Technica article links to a wired article that argues cryptocat is no more secure than using no crypto at all, because it relies on host security, and then proceeds to defend Smart Screen using a host-security argument.

      If you don't care Microsoft gets access to which programs you run / trust that they will keep the data anonymized and periodically delete the logs as you claim, by all means, don't turn off Smart Screen. That said, they have all the data they need to keep a record if every program you run, and I'd rather not take them at their word that they won't do anything bad with it.

  3. Re:Disable it! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    There is a check box where you can disable this 'feature' before installation.
    Nothing to see here....

    Because at least 1% of Windows users are capable of installing the OS themselves.

  4. Re:Could use it in the future by Ultracrepidarian · · Score: 4, Insightful

    and if they collect it, our government will demand access to it.

  5. Re:Disable it! by king+neckbeard · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Most users do not install their own OS, and being on by default is problematic.

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