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Apple, Microsoft Tout Their Privacy Policies To Get Positive PR
jfruh writes: Apple hasn't changed its privacy policy in more than a year — but that didn't stop the company from putting up a glossy website explaining it in layman's terms. Microsoft too has been touting its respect for its users's privacy. This doesn't represent any high-minded altruism on those companies' parts, of course; it's part of their battle against Google, their archrival that offers almost all of its services for free and makes its money mining user data.
Does that mean they're mining Bitcoins for me? Where do I sign up?
When are they rolling out the update(s) for Win 7 that makes it spy on you (like Win 10 does) and what updates should we uninstall to prevent this?
They must be fucking kidding
with all the intrusive telemetry of Win 10, being pushed into 7 and 8!
They want to become like google, making big money off of advertising or data mining.
And yet, you all bend over for Google...
Listed under Popular Fiction. Eh, whatever closes the deal...
“He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
You have to appreciate how Microsofts pathetic attempt to position themselves agaIsnt Google - when they were intercepting and logging Skype conversations between people all along.
Why can't Apple have motives that are altruistic, and then also point out how different those motives are from Google's?
Seriously, how dishonest can you get? It is still not clear how to disable MS snooping completely and permanently in Win10 and, as updated cannot be blocked permanently at the moment, there is a permanent risk of them stepping up the snooping at any time. And they have the gall to claim they respect their user's privacy? This is a direct and blatant insult to any of their private customers.
Most ACs are not even worth the keystrokes to insult them. Be generically insulted by this and ignored otherwise.
MSFT lost all credibility when they put a keyboard logger into Win10, then pushed anti-privacy "patches" to Win8 and Win7 machines as "critical security updates".
The unwanted, pre-download of Win10 to older releases was a dick move too.
My largest lie recently - that was the dog's fart, not mine.
"Apple, Microsoft Tout Their Privacy Policies To Get Positive PR"
Translation: Lie to get positive PR. ???
When the day comes that companies and other customers don't need any more versions of operating systems, or a new cell phone, or new office software, Apple's and Microsoft's income will begin diminishing.
Their answer? It seems they want to sell information about users to advertisers, as does Google. So, it appears that they are trying to imitate Google. To imitate Google, it will be necessary to eliminate privacy as much as they are able. Apple and Microsoft seem to be working toward that goal.
What Apple and Microsoft say now about privacy may not be an indication of what they will actually do after they have convinced non-technical customers that they observe privacy restrictions. It is common that technically-knowledgeable people are given some way of reducing their own concerns, and technically-knowledgeable people don't worry about people who don't know how to protect themselves.
Again, Google's tracking is extremely widespread because people use numerous Google services rather than software that they own. Google tracks Slashdot users. The Slashdot home page allows Google to track users 3 ways:
1) google-analytics.com
2) googleadservices.com
3) googletagservices.com
Google owns DoubleClick.net.
Companies are not required to disclose what URLs belong to them, or their purpose. We need government regulation. At present, it seems the U.S. government often merely helps the rich get richer. I love the United States, and want the best for everyone. It's healthy to care. Not caring is self-destructive.
am hoping for help blowing the old whistle, on the firehose on this article:
http://slashdot.org/submission...
please, if you have the time - i am quite serious - this is not a hoax.
however, the exploit would make one heck of a halloween trick or treat...
I'm calling BS on these "privacy policies". While they may have some limited effect on the commercial sale of your personal info, be aware that government is going to get what they want (all your infos)--the Obummer administration is already planning on mandatory backdoors via sotware updates.
And yet, you all bend over for Google...
Two things.
1. There was no mention, explicit or implicit about Google. This is a standard problem for replies like yours. Very common, and more common than not, no ground to stand on.
2. With Google, we know what to except. If people accept that, then that is fine. Microsoft's telemetry is not something that was expected, so it gets more flak. It does not help that it was pushed or discovered, after they gave out the upgrades to Windows 10, and then pushed it onto people holding off, for any reason they choose. People often choose the devil they know.
apple this best Phân mêm quan ly khach san
Phán mám quá£n lÃ
Really? How much of a Google fanboi you need to be to think everyone is out there to get Google?
Companies don't need any "high-minded altruism" to tout that they offer *what their customer wants*, that's call basic marketing.
If Google isn't well-known for collecting anything and everything from everyone, whether you consented to it or not, then you won't even think about Google when Apple and Microsoft touted how they protect their users' privacy (regardless of how true that was).
The fact people automatically think of Google when privacy was mentioned is just testament to how bad Google's reputation is. In the same way whenever anyone in the US mentioned "human rights", China would come to mind.
So because someone hates Microsoft, they must love Google? What kind of idiotic logic is that?
With MS providing free updates to Win 7 and 8 users, both licensed and pirated ones, makes one feel how does it affect the way we use windows. They might be trying to reciprocate their mistake which they committed with Win 8 but on the other hand they might also be able to collect data as to which users use pirated copies and which ones use licensed. I don't think anyone in the business is for the sole purpose of providing free services. There is always a hidden motive, sometimes as subtle as collecting user data without them realising it.
Windows Phone:
- No way to use GPS locally without sending location to Microsoft
- No way to use WiFi locally without forced participation in location crowd sourcing
- No way to practically use device / install software without a Microsoft account
- No way to prevent windows phone with Microsoft account from transmitting location data to Microsoft
- No way to maintain a local address book without having it all automatically sent to Microsoft
- No way to prevent device specific identifiers from being sent (in the clear I might add) to Microsoft servers.
Windows:
- No way to prevent transmission of telemetry (Windows 10 non-enterprise SKUs)
- No way to prevent connections to MS servers (vortext, data, settings) when everything CEIP, updates, everything has been completely disabled (Windows 7)
- No way to disable automatic updates (Windows 10)
- No way to prevent CRL queries when CRL checking has been disabled (Windows 7)
- No user reachable knobs to disable mostly annoying and counterproductive NLA queries
- Disrespectful defaults and intentional UX elements such as misleading appearance of MS account requirement to trick people into using a MS account to access their local systems (windows 10)
Lies applicable to TFA:
"In the past, Windows could be thought of as software existing only on your device. Now with Windows 10, important parts of Windows are based in the cloud, interacting with online services"
This is non-specific BS to setup excuses for unacceptable privacy violations enumerated later in TFA.
"When you communicate with your friends, family, and business associates, like text messaging (SMS, MMS, etc.) on a Windows device, we have to get the content of the message to deliver it to your inbox, display it to you, enable you to reply to it, and store it for you until you delete it."
I'll leave this nonsense speak for itself.
"For real-time communications, a phone-calling app needs to know the phone number of the contact you want to reach. "
This is priceless because the calling app does not have a local store. What it really effectively means if you want to call anyone Microsoft needs to know the number.
"If you lose your phone, you can locate your Windows phone on a map using Find My Phone at https://account.microsoft.com.... Even if you have turned off all other access to the location service on the phone, this feature can still work. "
This is the problem there is no effective way to opt out even up front when initially setting up the device. The only possible option is to not associate a MS account which effectively renders the device a brick/feature phone.
Has Microsoft actually changed the EULA for windows 7 to legally allow for this spying?
Apple, Microsoft Tout Their Piracy Policies To Get Positive PR. In today's date , commander Data would be so ashamed of the word "big data" ( if he had feelings)
Actually, we all know Microsoft is evil :D
Patents Drive Free Software as Hurricanes Drive Construction Industry
"Update that adds telemetry points to consent.exe in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7"
I love that they call it 'Consent.exe' when she did not consent to it. They fucking installed it automatically.
"To help us decide which services are working well and which need improvement, WE PAY ATTENTION TO HOW PEOPLE USE WINDOWS. We can spot patterns in the problems our customers have, understand the cause, and fix the issues quickly. We can also focus our resources on upgrading the things people use the most, and to improve or even retire those that don’t get used. This data, collectively called 'telemetry', can also help us understand gaps in our services so we can help people use Windows more effectively."
Most likely that hiding spying on what competing apps your running, like Open Office.
"When people choose to turn on location services, we get to improve our database of locations, cell towers, and WiFi access points. We don’t save any data identifying the person or device from which it was collected."
Location spying, wifi sniffing. And if they sniff the wifi access point they certainly do collect identifying details of the device, and by cross reference the person.
"We use tiny samples of your typing and handwriting info to improve our dictionaries and handwriting recognition for everybody who uses Windows, when you turn on typing, inking, and speech data."
Be careful what you say or type around a Windows box.
It's a bit like being an atheist who keeps getting asked whether he worships God or Satan, yes.
Il n'y a pas de Planet B.
My computer should not be sending them the data in the first place. They can't abuse or "lose" data that they don't have. Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Google are all American companies, which means they could not be trusted even if they really meant what their privacy policies say.
All your computer files belong to us.
Laymen's terms are warm and fuzzy words that have no legal consequence;
it's all just marketing PR.
And thus another check from the Microsoft Astroturf Team is earned.
You know, you guys have really overplayed your hand, since all of you are covering all the major tech sites, making the same (mostly nonsensical) talking points, seeking to wear out anyone with sheer, dull, overbearing repetitiveness. It is so obviously coordinated and well planned -- which indicates that Microsoft knew their actions would be discovered and protested against, and were thus prepared to have their astroturfers wade in everywhere and spread the idea that "everyone does it", "Google is worse", blah blah blah.
Did you honestly think we'd notice what your spyware is doing, but not notice what your astroturf teams are doing all across the tech sites?
https://technet.microsoft.com/...
This is the problem there is no effective way to opt out even up front when initially setting up the device. The only possible option is to not associate a MS account which effectively renders the device a brick/feature phone.
There is one other option. Don't buy it.
too much reading and tweaking, when did they turn into linux?
Bullshit, asshole. It's always idiots like you that cry "astroturfing" to anyone who goes against the groupthink. Unless you have shit for brains, Slashdot regulars are well aware of the pro-Google/anti-Microsoft bias around here. Neither company does any "spying". Labeling it as such is hyperbole. So, fuck off and take your paranoid delusions with you.
I don't have a problem with any of these. Why? Am I a pro-Microsoft shill? Or just a rational user that isn't a paranoid fucking asshole.
I don't have a problem with any of these. Why? Am I a pro-Microsoft shill? Or just a rational user that isn't a paranoid fucking asshole.
Shh. The grownups are talking.
Taking a massive and largely useful operating system and drawing the conclusion that the company behind it has "contempt" for their customers due to a few flaws is not exactly mature adult logic either.
Those aren't flaws. They're not even misfeatures. They're malfeatures. Hostile functionality.
Hostile is a question of perspective. It's not as if it's a personal assault on your person or property. Some people will be fine with such telemetry knowing that it's used to improve the system they use. Others would be furious. There doesn't seem to be an absolute case of right or wrong here. Granted, having an option to disable these features would be ideal, but can lack thereof really be considered hostile or just incompetent?
Microsoft is bingin your bunghole.
Granted, having an option to disable these features would be ideal, but can lack thereof really be considered hostile or just incompetent?
Given the choice between hostile and incompetent, I would choose neither, in other words just ditch Microsoft.
Bullshit, asshole. It's always idiots like you that cry "astroturfing" to anyone who goes against the groupthink. Unless you have shit for brains, Slashdot regulars are well aware of the pro-Google/anti-Microsoft bias around here. Neither company does any "spying". Labeling it as such is hyperbole. So, fuck off and take your paranoid delusions with you.
Really asshole? You're a shill. Fuck yourself. I'm not the AC you responded to but you are obviously full of shit.
Neither company does any "spying".
Neither company does any "spying".
Neither company does any "spying".
ttp://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/microsoft-has-no-plans-to-tell-us-whats-in-windows-patches/
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/09/leaks-show-that-microsoft-writes-release-notes-so-why-cant-it-publish-them/
https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/malware-microsoft.html
http://www.computerworlduk.com/blogs/open-enterprise/how-can-any-company-ever-trust-microsoft-again-3569376/
http://www.networkworld.com/article/2956574/microsoft-subnet/windows-10-privacy-spyware-settings-user-agreement.html
http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/08/22/nsa-windows-8-exploit/
http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/07/11/microsoft-gave-the-nsa-direct-backdoor-access-to-outlook-skype/
http://winsupersite.com/windows-10/how-stop-windows-10-upgrade-downloading-your-system
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/195592-with-windows-10-microsoft-could-move-to-a-subscription-based-model
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/205320-microsoft-windows-10-will-be-the-last-version-of-windows
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GU5uv28a3I
http://techrights.org/2015/07/31/vista-10-anticompetitive/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwRYyWn7BEo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gghj03J_ri0
http://localghost.org/posts/a-traffic-analysis-of-windows-10
http://www.ghacks.net/2015/08/28/microsoft-intensifies-data-collection-on-windows-7-and-8-systems/
Microsoft offers a version of Windows 10 where you can disable telemetry, because they very well know that phone-home "features" in the OS are a show stopper to enterprise admins. But to end users, they only sell the version where you have to let the OS phone home. They deliberately force you to send telemetry. Are you really asking me whether I consider that merely incompetent?
And for windows phone this is a viable option, there are plenty of other phones widely available and you wont be inconvenienced because you dont have a windows phone.
For desktop windows this isn't the case, alternatives are either not widely known (linux) or start at a much higher price point (apple), and if you are using one of the alternative you will often encounter inconvenience in the form of proprietary applications, files or third parties that force you towards using windows.
http://spamdecoy.net - free throwaway anonymous email - avoid spam!
So the shills have been copying Scientology's "what are your crimes" deflection tactic for a while now. I wonder who approved that plan, as it didn't work for CoS either.
Ce n'est pas une signature automatique.
Sometimes the balls on Microsoft amazes me. To tout themselves as some sort of champion of privacy right after releasing the spyingest operating system they've ever released is an awe-inspiring move.
"When you communicate with your friends, family, and business associates, like text messaging (SMS, MMS, etc.) on a Windows device, we have to get the content of the message to deliver it to your inbox, display it to you, enable you to reply to it, and store it for you until you delete it."
"For real-time communications, a phone-calling app needs to know the phone number of the contact you want to reach. "
Do they really think this low of their customers?
If the calling, texting app needs to know all this, where does MS come into picture. Its ok app needs to know it but why does this information have to leave my device to their server? Why does app on my device needs a Big Brother?
apple.com/privacy has been there (in that form) for over a year. This isn't new (at least for them).
... it's part of their battle against Google, their archrival that offers almost all of its services for free and makes its money mining user data.
Is this not EXACTLY what Microsoft is doing with Windows 10? They are giving it away for free, but you can only turn off a small fraction of the designed in spyware.
If you have to "explain" your privacy policy, it's too complicated. Anyone, from a 1st year student on up, even a grandmother, should be able to read an end-user-friendly privacy policy and come away with no questions. Failing this, the "policy" is not in the end users' favour.
I'm not terribly impressed. HOWEVER: A world in which these companies trip over each other trying to appear to care about your privacy, indicates that a shift has already happened in the market and in the minds of the public at large, and these 2 behemoths are now trying to reconcile their business models with the new reality. KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THEM, and if you haven't said thanks to Ed Snowden lately, I hear he's now on the Tweeter.
I admittedly haven't tried this yet - thus the question mark... I need to run Windows ONLY for a couple applications in my business, but those apps are Windows XP/7 centric. Wine clearly isn't going to be anywhere near good enough (and I increasingly suspect never will be). How hard is it to setup Windows under Linux, inside Virtualbox, and cut it off utterly from the internet? Is there a huge performance hit? Will XP or Win 7 PRO (which has a built-in Win XP emulator) be difficult to install or disappoint? I don't NEED continual internet access. In fact, I don't even want it. I would like there to be a continual but convenient switch to disable internet connectivity with a single click or, alternatively, I would like an OS which would WARN me any and every time there was any attempt by any process to access the internet or allow an internet connection. Get rid of the internet and the need for Microsoft or OSX updates goes to about zero.zero. Doesn't it?
Bullshit, asshole. It's always idiots like you that cry "astroturfing" to anyone who goes against the groupthink.
In a world where desktops are dominated by Windows, Microsoft is the groupthink. You are the one trying to suppress deviant thought.