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Test Version Windows 10 Includes Keylogger

Posted by samzenpus on from the all-the-better-to-track-you-with dept.

wabrandsma writes From WinBeta: "One of the more interesting bits of data the company is collecting is text entered. Some are calling this a keylogger within the Windows 10 Technical Preview, which isn't good news. Taking a closer look at the Privacy Policy for the Windows Insider Program, it looks like Microsoft may be collecting a lot more feedback from you behind the scenes. Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications and networks. Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage." This isn't the only thing Microsoft is collecting from Insider Program participants. According to the Privacy Policy, the company is collecting things like text inputted into the operating system, the details of any/all files on your system, voice input and program information.

12 of 367 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah by ceide2000 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I shall pray to my new overlord!!! How long till the goverment demands that data to protect our children from terrorists?

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    ~^\-/^|-|^\-/^~ May the force be with me!
  2. Windows 1984 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    All your privacy are belong to us!

  3. What do you expect? by TheRaven64 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's an early test program. The entire reason that it exists is to see how people use it, whether the UI decisions make sense, and what the designers overlooked. It is not intended for normal use and it is not intended for production environments.

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    I am TheRaven on Soylent News
    1. Re:What do you expect? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      It's an early test program. The entire reason that it exists is to see how people use it, whether the UI decisions make sense, and what the designers overlooked. It is not intended for normal use and it is not intended for production environments.

      The nature of the data collection will force the collected data to be skewed, because nobody in their right mind will put their "real" stuff on that machine, so they won't end up using it in a normal manner.

    2. Re:What do you expect? by wisnoskij · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This. What would even be the point of releasing a test version of windows if they were not tracking what you do?

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      Troll is not a replacement for I disagree.
    3. Re:What do you expect? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      It's an early test program. The entire reason that it exists is to see how people use it, whether the UI decisions make sense, and what the designers overlooked. It is not intended for normal use and it is not intended for production environments.

      There is no justification for this. The purpose of testing is to collect data about the system itself and how it operates in end user environments; this is collecting information about the end users themselves rather than just the machine, Microsoft has no business collecting that.

    4. Re:What do you expect? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yes, it's a test version.
      In final release this keylogger will be built in and hidden much better, so you won't find it that easily.

  4. Because they says they can doesn't mean they will by Dorianny · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This is all speculation based on the privacy policy. To my knowledge no one has done any research to find out exactly what data. if any besides Crash Reports, Microsoft is actually collecting.

  5. Re: Friends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't know about you, but I don't think I could properly evaluate it if I had to avoid browsing to any website where I might need to enter a password, or unzip password-protected zip files, or, well, do anything that would involve me entering a password.

  6. Re:I would not have a problem with this if... by wonkey_monkey · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://windows.microsoft.com/e...

    For example, when you:

            install the Program, we may collect information about your device and applications and use it for purposes such as determining or improving compatibility,

            use voice input features like speech-to-text, we may collect voice information and use it for purposes such as improving speech processing,

            open a file, we may collect information about the file, the application used to open the file, and how long it takes any use it for purposes such as improving performance, or

            enter text, we may collect typed characters and use them for purposes such as improving autocomplete and spellcheck features.

    --
    systemd is Roko's Basilisk.
  7. Re: Friends by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Or you can download the ISO, enter the key (it's all over the net), and set up an entirely fake user account.

    Well, now it is here too. The key is NKJFK-GPHP7-G8C3J-P6JXR-HQRJR. Microsoft is using this key for all W10TP installations.

    The ISO can be grabbed from http://preview.windows.com/ by anyone who needs it.

  8. Re:In soviet Russia... by binarylarry · · Score: 5, Funny

    in Soviet Russia old joke makes fun of you!

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