Microsoft Responds To Allegations That Windows 10 Collects 'Excessive Personal Data' (betanews.com)

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Microsoft Responds To Allegations That Windows 10 Collects 'Excessive Personal Data' (betanews.com)

Posted by msmash on Thursday July 21, 2016 @04:03AM from the boilerplate-statements dept.

BetaNews's Mark Wilson writes: Yesterday France's National Data Protection Commission (CNIL) slapped a formal order on Microsoft to comply with data protection laws after it found Windows 10 was collecting "excessive data" about users. The company has been given three months to meet the demands or it will face fines. Microsoft has now responded, saying it is happy to work with the CNIL to work towards an acceptable solution. Interestingly, while not denying the allegations set against it, the company does nothing to defend the amount of data collected by Windows 10, and also fails to address the privacy concerns it raises. Microsoft does address concerns about the transfer of data between Europe and the US, saying that while the Safe Harbor agreement is no longer valid, the company still complied with it up until the adoption of Privacy Shield. It's interesting to see that Microsoft, in response to a series of complaints very clearly leveled at Windows 10, manages to mention the operating system only once. There is the promise of a statement about privacy next week, but for now we have Microsoft's response to the CNIL's order.

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As a frog, I do not care by For+a+Free+Internet · 2016-07-21 04:06 · Score: 2, Insightful

I am a superior animal and all my data attests to this fact.
Toads, on the other hand, have something to hide.

--
UNITE with the Campaign for a Free Internet because today, our future begins with tomorrow!
1. Re:As a frog, I do not care by Opportunist · 2016-07-21 04:34 · Score: 0
  
  Water warm enough for you, dear frog? Lemme turn it up a notch so you don't feel no chilling effect.
  
  --
  We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Got that, Microsoft shills? by LichtSpektren · 2016-07-21 04:06 · Score: 4, Insightful

Even Microsoft themselves aren't denying Windows 10 is a spy machine.

All of you who said that the privacy concerns were just FUD or that it's simple to turn off the surveillance, time to eat your crow.
1. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by TheReaperD · 2016-07-21 04:13 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  I'm not saying this tool will completely block all of the data collected but, it does block the vast majority of it and is simple to install and it's from a company I find reliable: Spybot Anti-Beacon.
  
  --
  "Be particularly skeptical when presented with evidence confirming what you already believe." -
2. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:18 · Score: 1
  
  Is this one of those security tools that intercepts telemetry and redirects it directly to China or Russia instead of the NSA?
3. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:19 · Score: 1
  
  Well they're shills so they'll keep posting pro-micro$ comments. Those of us who will never upgrade to spydows 10 (and never buy a micro$ product because they now put their spyware in all their new products) don't really care what the shills have to say.
4. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:30 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Is this one of those security tools that intercepts telemetry and redirects it directly to China or Russia instead of the NSA?
  Not unless the IP 0.0.0.0 is going to China or Russia.
  Now stop being a tool.
5. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Opportunist · 2016-07-21 04:33 · Score: 1
  
  How could you deny what is blatantly obvious? Basically what they did was to say "Yeah. So?"
  
  --
  We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
6. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by chispito · 2016-07-21 04:41 · Score: 1
  
  Even Microsoft themselves aren't denying Windows 10 is a spy machine.
  You're reading too much into this. They simply have not denied the allegations yet. They have not really responded.
  
  --
  The Daddy casts sleep on the Baby. The Baby resists!
7. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:44 · Score: 0
  
  But it's so cool and extensively collected to be a part of a spy machine. I can pretend to be a secret agent, spying my own system for queen and country.
8. Re: Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:45 · Score: 0
  
  Only idiots would think that every other company isn't doing it, including products you pay for.
  Companies which openly state what they're doing get roasted. Companies who close off can say whatever they want and get away with it. I mean, how would toy know MS was collecting information if it wasn't so obvious?
  It'd be pretty easy for any OS to return it's telemetry information on an update check and nobody would be any wiser.
9. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-21 04:49 · Score: 1
  
  Even Microsoft themselves aren't denying Windows 10 is a spy machine.
  
  The definition of personal data is broad and should be carefully reviewed in this case. Them knowing what you clicked and the failure attached to the series of action is hardly personal data that anybody truly cares to protect. Same goes for hardware specs. If anything, most users would be happy to hand over that data to help their favored platform become more stable.
  
  All of you who said that the privacy concerns were just FUD or that it's simple to turn off the surveillance, time to eat your crow.
  The situation is still the same. What is the collected data? last time MS responded, the data collected was no more than what you search engine collects. It was definitively less harmful than the data your GPS or cell phone carrier collects. Christ, your credit card, your bank and your air miles card have far more important data and they use it in whatever way they see fit (within the confine of the law).
  I have yet to hear a case where this collection of data was detrimental to an individual. And please, don't bring up the bandwidth usage because that's a drop in the bucket compared to what ads run on most websites.
10. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:03 · Score: 0
  
  They didn't just deny it, they went to the mat to lie about it. It wasn't FUD, by in large is was outright lies. Everyone who spoke out were called tin foil hat wearing, paranoid, delusional loons.
  The need to get on their knees and suck dick. Eating crow doesn't begin to address it.
11. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by sexconker · 2016-07-21 05:07 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Anything running in Windows 10 is useless for stopping Windows 10 from phoning home. Windows 10 bypasses the firewall and HOSTS file when shipping off your data.
12. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by BarbaraHudson · 2016-07-21 05:07 · Score: 1
  
  They didn't just deny it, they went to the mat to lie about it. It wasn't FUD, by in large is was outright lies. Everyone who spoke out were called tin foil hat wearing, paranoid, delusional loons.
  The need to get on their knees and suck dick. Eating crow doesn't begin to address it.
  Yu'd actually let them come into physical contact with your private parts? Give them your DNA too? I think they'd like that.
  
  --
  "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
13. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by chipschap · 2016-07-21 05:35 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  last time MS responded, the data collected was no more than what you search engine collects. It was definitively less harmful than the data your GPS or cell phone carrier collects. Christ, your credit card, your bank and your air miles card have far more important data
  You've clearly demonstrated what's wrong: way too many organizations collect way too much data, and there's little we can do about most of it short of withdrawing from society.
  You also said no one has been particularly harmed by this. I can't argue this either way, but what is harmed is our right to have a private life. To some of us that still means something.
14. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by WheezyJoe · 2016-07-21 05:44 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  When you use a Google product, like Maps for instance, there's something of informed consent going on. You know you're being tracked, it's right there on your smartphone screen. But it gets weird where the OS itself may be doing the snooping, regardless of whether you're using an app or not. Microsoft has this past reputation of baking things deep into the OS (*cough* internet explorer *cough*) in order to gain an advantage over its competitors, and here there's a case to be made that they're leveraging their dominance on the desktop to get with modern times and start making money through targeted ads, STARTing with their lackluster app store (heh heh, see that I did there?)
  
  I have yet to hear a case where this collection of data was detrimental to an individual. And please, don't bring up the bandwidth usage because that's a drop in the bucket compared to what ads run on most websites.
  You're right. All we know definitively is that there's a lot of traffic sent by Windows back to Microsoft, but there's little reliable data concerning what it is. We have to take on faith that the data does not include information about the contents of your C drive. But think about it. You can choose not to store anything on Google Drive if you are paranoid about their search routines, but if Windows is gonna index everything from the C drive to the "secure" thumb drive in the USB port, where are you gonna save to?
  This is a big deal. Like it or not, people use Windows for work, medical records, attorney docs and shit, and not all of them can pay for a fancy Enterprise license which permits a trained Microsoft nerd some control over what's going on. A statement from Satya to the effect of "we will not spy on your shit, nor will we give up what we do have even if the FBI comes knockin" would be most re-assuring (even if non-binding), but we don't even get that!
  
  --
  Take it easy, Charlie, I've got an Angle...
15. Re: Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:56 · Score: 0
  
  Only idiots would think that every other company isn't doing it, including products you pay for.
  Companies which openly state what they're doing get roasted. Companies who close off can say whatever they want and get away with it. I mean, how would toy know MS was collecting information if it wasn't so obvious?
  It'd be pretty easy for any OS to return it's telemetry information on an update check and nobody would be any wiser.
  Just because it's easy to do, doesn't make it ok to do. That's why companies get roasted when people find out. The polite and civil thing to do would be to give people an option to turn it off. That way, you're happy and I'm happy.
16. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 06:05 · Score: 1
  
  HOSTS file
  You sure about that? I want to hear from APK on the subject...
17. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 06:11 · Score: 0
  
  Obviously, you cannot understand why someone wouldn't want it. That's ok. Let me ask you this: are you against giving people an option to turn it off? Because that's really what this is all about.
18. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 06:12 · Score: 0
  
  Holy crap. You should go and tell those Spybot guys before they waste any more time or resources on this product. If only they had any network engineers or software devs familiar with windows networking on their team they might have caught this sooner.
19. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 06:17 · Score: 1
  
  Did you actually check the source code? Oh wait... It's closed source AND a Windows program so you have no frigging idea what's going on inside.
20. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by mrchaotica · 2016-07-21 06:22 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not saying this tool will completely block all of the data collected but, it does block the vast majority of it and is simple to install and it's from a company I find reliable: Spybot Anti-Beacon.
  
  Your link was wrong. I fixed it.
  
  --
  "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz
21. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by WaffleMonster · 2016-07-21 06:31 · Score: 2
  
  The definition of personal data is broad and should be carefully reviewed in this case. Them knowing what you clicked and the failure attached to the series of action is hardly personal data that anybody truly cares to protect.
  I care deeply about it and will take any action necessary to deny any OS vendor this capability. None of their goddamn business period.
  
  Same goes for hardware specs. If anything, most users would be happy to hand over that data to help their favored platform become more stable.
  It is nice they are given a choice... oh wait those ever forgetful levers in the privacy settings don't actually stop anything now do they?
  
  The situation is still the same. What is the collected data? last time MS responded, the data collected was no more than what you search engine collects.
  None of Microsoft's business what I do or where I search.
  
  It was definitively less harmful than the data your GPS or cell phone carrier collects.
  Is Microsoft the same company whose Windows 10 mobile platform collects your GPS location without your consent or any ability to stop it whenever you want to use your GPS locally?
  
  Christ, your credit card, your bank and your air miles card have far more important data and they use it in whatever way they see fit (within the confine of the law).
  No fuck that. If someone steals my credit card I don't give a shit. The card company will just issue me a new one.
  If someone exfiltrated confidential data or trade secrets from my system which Microsoft grants itself the capability to do by default when Windows 10 is installed there is nobody I can call to get it back or put the genie back in its bottle.
  For reference to where Microsoft openly admits to installing and activating a remote access Trojan with Windows 10 by default please see following:
  https://web.archive.org/web/20...
  https://web.archive.org/web/20...
22. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by DoofusOfDeath · 2016-07-21 06:39 · Score: 1
  
  I'm not saying this tool will completely block all of the data collected but, it does block the vast majority of it
  We should probably be clear on what you mean by "vast majority" of data.
  For example, suppose that the tool blocks 99% of Windows' phone-home calls, and reduces the number of bytes sent by 99%. But what does get through is all of my important passwords, PKI private keys, and bank account numbers.
  Perhaps all we can really say is that using Anti-Beacon is probably better than nothing?
23. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by MrL0G1C · 2016-07-21 07:06 · Score: 2
  
  The situation is still the same. What is the collected data? last time MS responded, the data collected was no more than what you search engine collects. It was definitively less harmful than the data your GPS or cell phone carrier collects. Christ, your credit card, your bank and your air miles card have far more important data and they use it in whatever way they see fit (within the confine of the law).
  I have yet to hear a case where this collection of data was detrimental to an individual
  
  So, you wouldn't mind if we put webcams in every room of your house and streamed live 24/7 because hey, it wouldn't harm you, would it.
  
  --
  Waterfox - a Firefox fork with legacy extension support, security updates and better privacy by default.
24. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by thegarbz · 2016-07-21 07:14 · Score: 2
  
  Yes because Windows 10 bypassing two internal windows processes which are well understood by Microsoft makes you instantly an expert on a 3rd party product combined with a broad generalisation that something can't be done from the host system?
  Man you give up easily.
25. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by thegarbz · 2016-07-21 07:16 · Score: 1
  
  I tried this but suddenly my windows programs don't work, the start menu looks different and when I said I was happy with the look and feel of what I had the elitism of the community gave me cancer.
26. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by sexconker · 2016-07-21 07:27 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  You don't have to be an expert to know that you can't control Windows from within Windows. We've already seen Windows 10 lie about its behavior.
  You need an external device not running Windows to ensure you're not leaking. That means tracking every outbound connection from a Windows 10 host at the switch/router, investigating every IP, and blocking anything affiliated with Windows 10 "telemetry" or "updates". Then you'll need to manually download every actual security update, possibly from another system, and install them individually. Because yes, you still need security updates.
  Windows 10 is a shitshow and a complete non-starter for anyone who cares at all about security or privacy.
27. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:42 · Score: 1
  
  You don't think it sends stuff from your c drive? Run wireshark between the win10 box and your router and then create a new file with notepad and save it. Watch the instant traffic from that box to ms telemetry servers.
28. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:44 · Score: 0
  
  No but it's easy enough to see what's going over your network connection.
29. Re: Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:11 · Score: 0
  
  It is simple to stop the outgoing data. Learn to configure a 3rd party firewall.
30. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:34 · Score: 0
  
  Did you actually check the source code? Oh wait... It's closed source AND a Windows program so you have no frigging idea what's going on inside.
  I checked the entries it added to my hosts file.
  Again, stop being a tool.
31. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:38 · Score: 0
  
  So, you wouldn't mind if we put webcams in every room of your house and streamed live 24/7 because hey, it wouldn't harm you, would it.
  It might be harmful to whomever had to watch the streams...
32. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 09:04 · Score: 0
  
  After you install that, here's one you can use if you miss Winblows... http://fakeupdate.net/win10/in...
33. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Megol · 2016-07-21 09:17 · Score: 1
  
  First: I'm not a shill, second: there's no need to eat crow given that the article doesn't say what you say it does, third: Microsoft doesn't deny that _some_ people think Windows is a spy-machine.
34. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 09:17 · Score: 0
  
  Did you actually check the source code? Oh wait... It's closed source AND a Windows program so you have no frigging idea what's going on inside.
  I checked the entries it added to my hosts file.
  Again, stop being a tool.
  If I were you, as this software certainly requires admin privileges to install, I would not even be sure the host file is still used by my Windows box.
  But hey, if the application does one benign thing, then it's sure it's fully safe.
35. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by hairyfeet · 2016-07-21 10:06 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Sorry but Spybot Anti-Beacon is frankly magic beans, as a big part of their "security" is using HOSTS files which has already been proven to be completely ineffective because MSFT hardcoded the IP addresses into the spyware programs themselves.
  Hmmm...I've seen that behavior before at the shop, where did I see that? Oh yeah....malware.
  
  --
  ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
36. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 10:24 · Score: 0
  
  Doesn't Win10 completely bypass the hosts file, using hard-coded IPs to send data back to the mothership?
37. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by JohnFen · 2016-07-21 10:34 · Score: 2
  
  Them knowing what you clicked and the failure attached to the series of action is hardly personal data that anybody truly cares to protect. Same goes for hardware specs.
  Says you. I, along with many others, very much want to protect it.
  
  If anything, most users would be happy to hand over that data to help their favored platform become more stable.
  Perhaps so. There's an easy way to make all users happy: provide a way to turn off all telemetry. Why won't Microsoft do that?
  
  I have yet to hear a case where this collection of data was detrimental to an individual.
  This is irrelevant. It's my data, and I should be able to choose who I share it with and who I won't. Whether or not that data is sensitive according to others shouldn't factor into it.
38. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 11:27 · Score: 0
  
  No, it redirects all that telemetry to you. Happy reading.
39. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 11:33 · Score: 0
  
  Did you actually check the source code? Oh wait... It's closed source AND a Windows program so you have no frigging idea what's going on inside.
  Just like APK's crapware.
40. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by mrprogrammerman · 2016-07-21 11:34 · Score: 1
  
  Don't attribute to maliciousness what can be attributed to incompetence. The telemetry was probably built up with no central design as a result no easy way to turn it all off. They won't spend time fixing it till it hurts them enough.
  
  Also the fear of telemetry being used to spy on users is overblown. More and more software products add telemetry to be able to improve how their software works. It allows them to spend time improving the features users actually use and fixing their pain points. As a result they can build better products.
41. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Motherfucking+Shit · 2016-07-21 11:45 · Score: 1
  
  What is the collected data? last time MS responded, the data collected was no more than what you search engine collects.
  1. I don't recall Microsoft ever detailing exactly what data is being collected.
  2. It's encrypted, so we can't examine it for ourselves.
  3. Microsoft has been deceptive and even telling outright lies since the beginning of the Windows 10 rollout.
  
  I have yet to hear a case where this collection of data was detrimental to an individual.
  See 2, above. No one can look and see what data Microsoft is collecting from their Windows 10 PC, so how is one to know whether or not they've been harmed? Your argument is the same one NSA uses to claim they can't be sued over warrantless wiretapping. "No one can prove they specifically were wiretapped, so no one has any standing to sue." I say bullshit to that argument.
  
  --
  "BSD: Free as in speech. Linux: Free as in beer. Windows 10: Free as in herpes." --Man On Pink Corner in #52607549.
42. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 11:52 · Score: 0
  
  Do you FOSS aficionados never get tired of this tripe? FOSS isn't the be-all and end-all. Some of us got work done, vetted companies, supported products, and did very well thank you, long before FOSS was a thing. Your arrogance and naiveté that FOSS is a universal silver bullet is boring and old.
  Short list:
  - not everyone is a programmer. That will never happen, nor should it;
  - your "solution" proposes that unless every single computer user in existence personally checks all their code, the entire universe is insecure. That is blind stupid on the face of it. You should be embarrassed those words with that meaning escaped your lips;
  - proprietary source is not the source of all evil in computing. Hell, it's not even in the top 100. The entire notion that proprietary is evil or untrustworthy is so wrong, that it's Not Even Wrong;
  - I've spent my entire career in IT and when I evaluate a product, I'm mildly interested if it is FOSS. That's it. Mildly interested. That's the relevance;
  - You suggested that being a Windows program also means it is untrustworthy. Who's spouting the FUD now? Windows applications are untrustworthy. How do you even manage to tie your shoes in the morning?
43. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 12:50 · Score: 0
  
  I'm not very knowledgeable in IT so perhaps what I am about to ask is ignorant, but I was wondering if it would be possible to create a firewall in a VM (VirtualBox) on the same machine, configure Windows 10's network interface gateway to point to the VM and then filter all the traffic via the firewall in the VM.
  If something like that would work, you would have no internet connection unless the VM was running, and a filtered connection when it was. A CLI only firewall would be a tiny VM and use almost no real resources so the cost wouldn't be very high from a performance perspective as well.
  I'm not sure if such a trick would work though. Any IT people here who could chime in? It would be a nice workaround for those who are forced to use Windows 10.
44. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by JohnFen · 2016-07-21 17:01 · Score: 1
  
  More than that, Microsoft freely admits that there is no way to turn off all telemetry. In other words, they freely admit it's a spy machine.
45. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by JohnFen · 2016-07-21 17:05 · Score: 2
  
  Also the fear of telemetry being used to spy on users is overblown.
  This misses the point. The point is that there's no way to stop it if you find it objectionable. If someone is collecting data on my against my will, they are spying on me. Whether or not they use that data for malicious purposes is irrelevant.
  
  More and more software products add telemetry to be able to improve how their software works. It allows them to spend time improving the features users actually use and fixing their pain points. As a result they can build better products.
  Yes, and in every case that they do this without informing the use and providing a means to stop it, they are behaving badly. That this is happening with increasing frequency is precisely why I started firewalling off all applications by default, so they can't send any data to the outside world.
  I shouldn't have to treat applications like malware, but that's the world these people are creating.
46. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by thegarbz · 2016-07-21 22:57 · Score: 1
  
  You don't have to be an expert to know that you can't control Windows from within Windows.
  And yet that's precisely what many low level tools are capable of. You don't think Microsoft's web facing keylogger is running in the lowest levels of the kernel do you? If so here's a picture of a tinfoil hat for you: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
47. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Waccoon · 2016-07-21 23:54 · Score: 1
  
  At this point, it's useless to argue that data collection harms the public. They don't care.
  We should be arguing that not all businesses or professionals can afford (or even qualify to buy) Windows Enterprise, and therefore business assets and confidential customer data are at risk. If the majority of people won't stick up for the rights of the minority, then you just have to appeal to the "right" minority to make a problem a proper legal issue.
48. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-22 01:39 · Score: 0
  
  It's not shipping off your data, it is shipping off its own data, otherwise known as telemetry.
49. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-22 03:10 · Score: 0
  
  The search engine at least is getting requests from customers for specific information, and people know that it uses advertising to keep the business going. Microsoft on the other hand is sending people's personal information home without permission, and AFTER charging $119 for the operating system for the home version and $199 for pro (funny that Microsoft would call a version "pro" when there's nothing pro about having an information leak as your OS).
50. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by sexconker · 2016-07-22 04:19 · Score: 1
  
  There are no "low level tools". Nothing within the OS operates at a lower level than the OS. Windows 10 can and will intercept everything and lie about anything.
  If you haven't stocked up on tinfoil hats for the past 15 years, you've got your head in the sand and your ass in the air.
51. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by thegarbz · 2016-07-22 06:46 · Score: 1
  
  Yes. The entire Windows 10 system runs with identical privileges and there's no such thing as privilege rings, and Microsoft run all high level data gathering and network facing telemetry right at the lowest level to thwart all efforts to stop the data collection, everyone who never took a computer class knows that.
  Maybe some tinfoil body armour would be better: http://thegatewaypundit.com/wp...
52. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-22 06:57 · Score: 1
  
  Your responses and links do not AT ALL present an argument towards the actual speculations. All I hear in you arguments is that you hate MS but your ok with everybody else screwing you. Actually, if anything the links you provided state that MS is compliant and reasonable (which I'd argue is only partially true).
  If you truly care about any of the things you said then I must assume you do not own a mobile device otherwise your a hypocrite.
53. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-22 07:02 · Score: 1
  
  So, you wouldn't mind if we put webcams in every room of your house and streamed live 24/7 because hey, it wouldn't harm you, would it.
  The fact that you think MS's data collection practice compares with your statement tells me you're clueless about what MS actually does. Come back when you've actually read more than the headlines.
54. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-22 07:09 · Score: 1
  
  You've clearly demonstrated what's wrong: way too many organizations collect way too much data, and there's little we can do about most of it short of withdrawing from society.
  There are laws and MS like many other abide by them. MS however has an option for their support to collect more data but no different than LogMeIn, is intended to be turned on for specific cases and specific periods or time.
  
  You also said no one has been particularly harmed by this. I can't argue this either way, but what is harmed is our right to have a private life. To some of us that still means something
  It comes down to what most want and don't want. If people were that concerned with the data collected they would actually look into it. Fact is that most people don't care. I say this because I've had people approach me (being the IT reference at work) and ask what they collect after seeing headlines. I then ask them this: "Will you stop using your cell phone if I tell you they keep track of everywhere you've been for the last 6 years?". The answer is always: "No".
  That's the reason why nothing changes and nothing will change.
55. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-22 07:13 · Score: 1
  
  At this point, it's useless to argue that data collection harms the public. They don't care.
  Explain how.
  I can come up with plenty of examples where data collection has actually resulted in lives being saved. Not to confused with this data collection but I'm just saying you statement is horribly wrong.
  
  We should be arguing that not all businesses or professionals can afford (or even qualify to buy) Windows Enterprise
  Convince 10 people that have full time jobs to ditch all their mobiles devices and we can start making of case of how MS is evil and must be stopped.
56. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-22 07:25 · Score: 0
  
  Also the fear of telemetry being used to spy on users is overblown. More and more software products add telemetry to be able to improve how their software works. It allows them to spend time improving the features users actually use and fixing their pain points. As a result they can build better products.
  Exactly! That's why IE and Edge are the best browsers ever!!! Oh, wait a minute...
57. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-22 11:06 · Score: 1
  
  Says you. I, along with many others, very much want to protect it.
  Says the 350 million users that accept to use it this way knowingly. I know many don't know but many do and still use it the same way you still use your cell phone regardless of the fact that you're location is tracked 24/7.
  
  Perhaps so. There's an easy way to make all users happy: provide a way to turn off all telemetry. Why won't Microsoft do that?
  Totally agree but they figured the flak was worth the data yielded. Considering how much press they got over it they would have backed off otherwise.
  
  This is irrelevant. It's my data, and I should be able to choose who I share it with and who I won't. Whether or not that data is sensitive according to others shouldn't factor into it.
  You can't fix this with MS or any of the other companies that does this. You need to fix this at the core (through laws like the ones in existence which MS happens to be abiding by). It's obviously not enough of an issue for users which is why nothing will change.
  At the end of the day you don't have to use their products. The alternatives are many and all very good.
58. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-22 11:21 · Score: 1
  
  1. I don't recall Microsoft ever detailing exactly what data is being collected.
  MS revealed it a while back. Here's a link summarizing it.
  http://www.windowsecurity.com/...
  
  2. It's encrypted, so we can't examine it for ourselves.
  It should be encrypted. Why would you have it any other way.
  
  3. Microsoft has been deceptive and even telling outright lies since the beginning [arstechnica.com] of the Windows 10 rollout.
  Unclear, not deceptive. They said it would be free and didn't know what direction the licensing would head. That's perfectly fine as fine as most are concerned.
  
  See 2, above. No one can look and see what data Microsoft is collecting from their Windows 10 PC, so how is one to know whether or not they've been harmed? Your argument is the same one NSA uses to claim they can't be sued over warrantless wiretapping. "No one can prove they specifically were wiretapped, so no one has any standing to sue." I say bullshit to that argument.
  That's your paranoia kicking in. Do you think you matter that much that you will be harmed by your data? If the government wants to take you out stop trying to find an out because you're already cooked.
  Prove to me you care about your privacy by ditching your mobile device(s). Do that and I'll believe you truly care that much about your privacy.
59. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by MrL0G1C · 2016-07-22 21:11 · Score: 1
  
  The fact is you're avoiding the point, the point is that to some people privacy invasion is a harm like verbal harassment is a harm. Google are worse in reading peoples personal communications of course but there is better competition in email providers, if you're a PC gamer then there is nothing on a par with windows for the number of games available and at far better prices via seasonal sales etc.
  
  --
  Waterfox - a Firefox fork with legacy extension support, security updates and better privacy by default.
60. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Coren22 · 2016-07-27 02:59 · Score: 1
  
  Yup. An argument I have made repeatedly, but he is terrified that his software will be stolen and abused like Chrome if he open sources it...not even realizing that it just doesn't matter as his software is nothing special that people would have to "steal". Anyways, people can always get the source code directly and compile it themselves, so the whole argument is moot.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
61. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Coren22 · 2016-07-27 03:01 · Score: 1
  
  As if he is the final word on anything? He doesn't even understand the basics of how the hosts file works and why it is such a bad idea to overload it.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
62. Re:Got that, Microsoft shills? by Ravaldy · 2016-07-28 06:11 · Score: 1
  
  The fact is you're avoiding the point, the point is that to some people privacy invasion is a harm like verbal harassment is a harm
  People are too butt hurt these days. You can't use the word retarded without a bunch of people getting their panties in a knot.
  
  if you're a PC gamer then there is nothing on a par with windows for the number of games available
  That is not true. Playstation and Nintendo make great products. The steambox is another alternative. The fact is that it can't bother users that much if they are willing to stick with MS. 350 Million installs is not all gamers.
France by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:10 · Score: 0

Yesterday France's National Trump Protection Commission (CNTL) slapped a formal order on Trumpsoft to comply with trump protection laws after it found Trump 10 was collecting "excessive data" about users. The company has been given three months to meet the demands or it will face fines. Trump has now responded, saying it is happy to work with the CNTL to work towards an acceptable solution. Interestingly, while not denying the allegations set against it, the trump does nothing to defend the amount of data collected by Trump 10, and also fails to address the privacy concerns it raises. Trumpsoft does address concerns about the transfer of data between Europe and the US, saying that while the Safe Trump agreement is no longer valid, the company still complied with it up until the adoption of Trump Shield. It's interesting to see that Trumpsoft, in response to a series of complaints very clearly leveled at Trump 10, manages to mention the operating system only once. There is the promise of a statement about privacy next week, but for now we have Trumpsoft's response to the CNTL's order.
What are they planning? by Coisiche · 2016-07-21 04:11 · Score: 5, Funny

There is the promise of a statement about privacy next week
So after the final date for free Windows 10 then?
Why do I have the feeling that statement will be "Gotcha! Suckers!"
1. Re:What are they planning? by ryanmc1 · 2016-07-21 05:27 · Score: 1
  
  Nothing stopping anyone from downgrading to the previous windows after the upgrade
2. Re:What are they planning? by ryanmc1 · 2016-07-21 05:28 · Score: 1
  
  sorry upgrade = announcement
3. Re:What are they planning? by Darinbob · 2016-07-21 08:25 · Score: 1
  
  Gatcha Suckers! https://youtu.be/NQFMeyWVe3g?t...
They didn't really respond by Shadow+IT+Ninja · 2016-07-21 04:13 · Score: 5, Insightful

From TFA, it sounds like the headline here should be more like "Microsoft Acknowledges But Does Not Respond To Allegations That Windows 10 Collects Excessive Personal Data."
1. Re:They didn't really respond by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:30 · Score: 0, Insightful
  
  Wow, what a fucking shock: a multi-billion dollar company doing business in nearly every country around the world requires more than 24 hours to make a substantive response that's been properly vetted by their legal department to a governmental order involving possible fines and other legal sanctions.
  You'd think that the CEO of Microsoft could just, you know, whip up a quick 140-character tweet clearing the thing up within an hour of being notified of the legal action. I mean, it's not like you want to be very careful when punitive fines and sanctions are on the line, or anything.
  Fucking retard.
2. Re:They didn't really respond by ausekilis · 2016-07-21 04:48 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Wow, what a fucking shock: a multi-billion dollar company doing business in nearly every country around the world requires more than 24 hours to make a substantive response that's been properly vetted by their legal department to a governmental order involving possible fines and other legal sanctions.
  You'd think that the CEO of Microsoft could just, you know, whip up a quick 140-character tweet clearing the thing up within an hour of being notified of the legal action. I mean, it's not like you want to be very careful when punitive fines and sanctions are on the line, or anything.
  Fucking retard.
  You must be forgetting that Windows 10 has been out for a year and under constant public criticism about their data collection/retention/usage policies. Considering Microsoft, Google, Apple and Amazon have been under fire for the Safe Harbor agreement, Microsoft should have seen the inquiry coming a mile away. While it's true any response needs to be vetted to PR and Legal, you'd think they'd at least have some canned statements at-the-ready.
  
  Given how public this botnet/mass surveillance/skynet of Windows 10 data collection is, I'm surprised it took this long for a Gov agency to speak up.
3. Re:They didn't really respond by MtHuurne · 2016-07-21 04:55 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  Exactly. The core issue is that Windows 10 is collecting personal information that is not required for the functioning of the OS or the services it provides to the user. There doesn't have to be a discussion over where Microsoft stores the information, since they shouldn't be collecting it in the first place.
4. Re:They didn't really respond by Ravaldy · 2016-07-21 04:58 · Score: 1
  
  You read it wrong. You have to read this part:
  
  As the European Commission observed, Microsoft's January 2016 Privacy Statement states that the company adheres to the principles of the Safe Harbor Framework. Microsoft has in fact continued to live up to all of its commitments under the Safe Harbor Framework, even as the European and U.S. representatives worked toward the new Privacy Shield
  This is not just a problem for MS but MS tends to make the headlines even when it's a non issue.
5. Re:They didn't really respond by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:28 · Score: 0
  
  Steve, you can put the chair down now.
6. Re:They didn't really respond by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:20 · Score: 0
  
  Fucking retard.
  Grow up.
7. Re:They didn't really respond by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 10:00 · Score: 0
  
  You must be forgetting that Windows 10 has been out for a year and under constant public criticism about their data collection/retention/usage policies.
  And in what world does "constant public criticism" legally require a response? Look at you - you're a complete numbskull who probably meets constant public criticism. Have YOU lawyered up?
  Microsoft doesn't have to do a fucking THING until there is actually a legal matter that requires their attention. France spoke up yesterday, and Microsoft has responded with legal boilerplate today, saying "of course we take this seriously, and will be happy to work with the relevant agencies to develop an acceptable solution." They are observing the norms and forms of legal action, in exactly the same way that every company, EVER, has done.
  
  Microsoft should have seen the inquiry coming a mile away.
  And I'm sure they did - but why would they waste billable hours until they actually know what the specific, actionable objections are from the French government? They could spend hundreds of millions of dollars gaming the multiple scenarios that could evolve, or they could wait until the legal issues are presented to them, and THEN respond. Which would you do, if you were literally ANY COMPANY EVER?
8. Re:They didn't really respond by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 10:44 · Score: 0
  
  At this point in time it's becoming clearly obvious that Microsoft have been the recipient of an NSL.
  They're doing something nefarious, and being incredibly evasive about it.
  Windows 10 is officially a government spying tool. When this all comes out it's going to be fun to watch :)
9. Re:They didn't really respond by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-22 01:44 · Score: 0
  
  What personal information are they collecting? Cite your source otherwise your comment is unacceptable.
10. Re:They didn't really respond by MtHuurne · 2016-07-22 02:46 · Score: 1
  
  Unacceptable? Is this Wikipedia?
  I know it's defying tradition, but you could, you know, RTFA. (The first article, describing the allegations.)
  Anyway, it's about the telemetry data.
Response: by Aaden42 · 2016-07-21 04:15 · Score: 1

"It's not true, and we know who you are who said that. We're coming for you."
1. Re:Response: by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:54 · Score: 0
  
  Translation: It is not "excessive personal data" to us, it may be to you. That is your problem, not ours.
2. Re:Response: by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:59 · Score: 0
  
  "I did not shoot that man; also, it was self-defense."
i dont care if MS knows i'm hung like a mule by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:15 · Score: 0

but can they advertise it too?
1. Re: i dont care if MS knows i'm hung like a mule by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:53 · Score: 0
  
  I'm so hung my penis comes with a body.
A non-reply reply by r_pattonII · 2016-07-21 04:21 · Score: 1

In typical fashion, Microsoft responds with something better than no response to gauge where the French government will go from here to see what they can get away with without ruffling too many folks. They will litigate to the point where they'll pay a small amount of money to appease the French and all will be back to normal. The unacceptable behavior by Microsoft continues and I'm sad to say I see no end in their methods. They continue to trounce on the privacy and freedom of its users.
1. Re:A non-reply reply by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 12:43 · Score: 0
  
  Or they could choose to ban the sale of Windows 10, mandate open source for all government and public computer data formats, and levy criminal charges against Microsoft senior employees in their French operations.
meaningless by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:30 · Score: 0

it's from a company I find reliable
this quote is the most meaningless thing ever on the whole internet
1. Re:meaningless by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:44 · Score: 0
  
  nope, your comment is the most meaningless.
2. Re:meaningless by TheReaperD · 2016-07-21 06:18 · Score: 1
  
  Then get off your arse and do your own research if you don't want to take my word for it.
  
  --
  "Be particularly skeptical when presented with evidence confirming what you already believe." -
3. Re:meaningless by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 06:26 · Score: 0
  
  Then get off your arse and do your own research if you don't want to take my word for it.
  Done, bro.
tl;dr version of the reply by Opportunist · 2016-07-21 04:31 · Score: 1

UP YOURS!

--
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
Comment removed by account_deleted · 2016-07-21 04:33 · Score: 1

Comment removed based on user account deletion
It only collects public information. by jellomizer · 2016-07-21 04:34 · Score: 1

Your name
Your Date of birth
Your SSN
You current address
You last 7 years of taxes.
All public info that the government has already. So no worries.

--
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
Envious toad comment by For+a+Free+Internet · 2016-07-21 04:37 · Score: 0, Funny

Toad apologists like you can't defend their party on the merits so they resort to innuendo and cheetoze.

--
UNITE with the Campaign for a Free Internet because today, our future begins with tomorrow!
I can imagine... by c · 2016-07-21 04:42 · Score: 2

I haven't RTFA, but I expect the response is something like "Excessive?!? Are you kidding me? It's not even close to what we need. We've barely gotten started!"

--
Log in or piss off.
1. Re:I can imagine... by BarbaraHudson · 2016-07-21 05:20 · Score: 1
  
  My SIN (the Canadian equivalent of a SSN) is NOT public. The government now advises never to carry the certificate (we no longer issue cards) on you. It's only for government use (employers can have it for reporting earnings, and banks for financial transactions. If you don't want t o give your SIN, all mone entering the account will be subject to a percentage being withheld.
  Your taxes are NOT public - otherwise why the big deal about candidates revealing (or not) their personal tax records?
  We have universal health care here, and my Medicare # is not public knowledge either. It's only to be used as a way to access health care and other services. And this your bank can't ask for. Nor your employer, or anyone else.
  Birth certificates? You need to be the person, or someone mandated by them, to be able to go down to the archives and look or have at a copy. An birth certificate or record of birth also has a serial number, and if you report it stolen, they will issue a new one and invalidate the old one.
  And good luck getting it if the individual has changed their sex. The old one is invalid and must be returned.
  If you're that carefree with your personal data, you should be worried.
  Driver's licenses are just find for photo ID, as are passports.
  
  --
  "Transparent" is a shit show that trades on every stereotype going. A man in drag is NOT a transsexual.
2. Re:I can imagine... by c · 2016-07-21 13:48 · Score: 1
  
  My SIN ... is NOT public. The government now advises never to carry the certificate ... on you.
  Ironically, the government used to be one the biggest abusers of the SIN. I stopped carrying my card 20 years ago when I worked for DND; it was used for so many things (just about every piece of paperwork and front-and-center on your id) so often that you couldn't help but memorize it.
  
  If you're that carefree with your personal data, you should be worried.
  ... but I suspect you were replying to someone else's comment.
  
  --
  Log in or piss off.
win10 is a problem, and so is the goog by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:44 · Score: 0

I think win10 spyware is not a good thing, but I can avoid that "easily" just by not using Windows, which I haven't for a long time.
However, Google collects far more info about you, and it's very hard to avoid that even if you try. Please try to set aside for a moment the typical slashdot mentality of "Just install this firewall and use it with this blocking file from over here and then use these 8 browser extensions and never send email to anybody using gmail and never sign up for any web site using their captcha system and compile this file and install it in your kernel with these options you are fine". For MOST people, that is not something they understand, or are able to do.
Fact is, even if you never signed up for any Google service, they collect an absolutely staggering amount of info about everything you do online. Almost every site sends your behavior to google analytics, many individuals and companies share emails you send them with google, they log all your searches (not me, since I don't use their engine, but most people), they know what you buy, what you read, they cross-track your identities between sites...
MS is bad, absolutely. So is the Goog - worse, in my opinion. The EU should compel them to make this all opt-IN, not out-OUT. Then and only then do people have a free choice about how much of their private data to hand over. Association with private corporations should not be compelled.
1. Re:win10 is a problem, and so is the goog by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:37 · Score: 1
  
  (...) they log all your searches
  That's good. It means that I can use this feature to spread disinformation about me.
  
  they know what you buy, what you read, they cross-track your identities between sites...
  I'd say "they think they know". I know that they don't know anything useful about me.
2. Re:win10 is a problem, and so is the goog by donaldm · 2016-07-21 05:40 · Score: 1
  
  However, Google collects far more info about you, and it's very hard to avoid that even if you try
  Yes, it is very difficult to not use Chrome and use a different browser with all Analytics turned off. Don't like Gmail then don't use it. Change your search engine to DuckDuckGo for example. Even if you do use Google software and services you don't have to log in to Google which limits their data collection and profiling of you considerably.
  
  MS is bad, absolutely. So is the Goog - worse, in my opinion.
  You are certainly entitled to your opinion, however, it is very easy to prevent Google from collecting data on you since you don't need to use their applications or their products, you can even limit what they can get easily and you don't have to be very technical to do that. Microsoft, unlike Google, has made their data collection a feature of their operating system and the only way to be 100% certain that Microsft can't collect information on you is to run a different primary operating system.
  I have a fairly locked down Windows 10 in a virtual machine on my Linux desktop and as a test, I can suspend all network access except for the usual handshaking between my wireless card and my router. When I start up my Windows 10 virtual machine the network analyser goes wild and guess who owns the machines my virtual machine is talking to and I have not even logged in yet.
  Sure Google may be bad for collecting your browsing habits which can easily be blocked but Microsoft collects so much more data (including keylogging) that this practice actually makes Google look positively angelic.
  
  --
  There ain't no such thing as proprietary standards only proprietary formats. Standards are by definition open.
3. Re:win10 is a problem, and so is the goog by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 09:11 · Score: 0
  
  Yes, it is very difficult to not use Chrome and use a different browser with all Analytics turned off. Don't like Gmail then don't use it
  Sorry, nowhere even close to sufficient.
  Perhaps you cannot so easily do what you think you can so easily do.
Slashdotters consistently bash Google over less by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 04:45 · Score: 0

Microsoft has always been much worse than Google. Was Google even in existence when the "phone home" scandal started?
I am constantly seeing "GOOGLE IS EVIL!!" as if Microsoft is any more moral.
And you can be sure Apple would do the same.
1. Re:Slashdotters consistently bash Google over less by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:29 · Score: 0
  
  They bash google over rather more, not less, but in any case two things can be bad at the same time. Thing A being bad does not imply thing B is not also bad. Thus, both can be called out as problems.
2. Re:Slashdotters consistently bash Google over less by macs4all · 2016-07-21 05:38 · Score: 1, Informative
  
  And you can be sure Apple would do the same.
  No. They learned their lesson with LocationGate. They are headed HARD in the OTHER direction at this point.
3. Re:Slashdotters consistently bash Google over less by TangoMargarine · 2016-07-21 06:06 · Score: 2
  
  How many times do I have to say this to you idiots?
  A person doing something wrong is not fine as long as you can point to someone else who did something worse. The wrong thing is still wrong!
  
  I am constantly seeing "GOOGLE IS EVIL!!" as if Microsoft is any more moral.
  No, you're just reading between the lines something that isn't there.
  
  --
  Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
If what is collected is benign ... by Alain+Williams · 2016-07-21 04:54 · Score: 3, Interesting

and nothing that any of us should worry about, then why is there not a way in which the PC's user can view all of the data that is sent to Microsoft? This should include a plain English explanation of everything. After all: why should a PC's owner not see what it sends ?
Disclaimer: I do not have any MS product
1. Re:If what is collected is benign ... by TangoMargarine · 2016-07-21 06:08 · Score: 1
  
  If it were benign they wouldn't be fighting so hard to keep it in :P
  
  --
  Unity? Screw that: XFCE. Slashdot Beta? Screw that: SoylentNews. Australis? Screw that: Pale Moon. UX developers DIAF
Hey, look... by Z80a · 2016-07-21 05:05 · Score: 5, Funny

I know you're typing right now how you're suspicious that Windows 10 watches your every move, but you can rest assured no such thing occurs.
Also you forgot the comma on the line 3.
1. Re:Hey, look... by chipschap · 2016-07-21 05:39 · Score: 1
  
  I know you're typing right now how you're suspicious that Windows 10 watches your every move, but you can rest assured no such thing occurs.
  And you know this how, exactly?
2. Re:Hey, look... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 06:11 · Score: 2, Informative
  
  Whoosh
3. Re:Hey, look... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:15 · Score: 0
  
  fucking moron.
4. Re:Hey, look... by chipschap · 2016-07-21 07:25 · Score: 1
  
  Yeah, completely missed that one :) But at least I'm not an AC.
Dear Mr. Frog by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:14 · Score: 1

Is it possible for you to get Ethanol-fueled unbanned?
The toads took away his ability to log in and he eventually got frustrated with anon posts and gave up.
We need him back, as otherwise I think you are are the only in-character troll we have left at /.
Thank you and tell laura I said hi!
1. Re:Dear Mr. Frog by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:55 · Score: 0
  
  Where's cold_fjord and APK when you need them ;)
  Although APK never really logged in and he does pop up occasionally.
2. Re:Dear Mr. Frog by Opportunist · 2016-07-21 07:25 · Score: 0
  
  cold_fjord is probably currently pissed at me and not going to respond to anything I post, so you might have to look elsewhere.
  
  --
  We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
It's safe to assume by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:15 · Score: 0

that all companies are doing this. Nothing new. The question is twofold:
1a. Do I trust Company X with what data they know and collect?
1b. Do I care?
If you care, then do something about it. If you don't care, then, as Kansas said "carry on, my wayward son".
I do care, but there is little I can do about it besides not use the products that make me feel uncomfortable. In the end, though, I suspect it will be nigh on impossible to prevent computer/phone/internet surveillance. Anything you don't want others to know about, keep to yourself or show in-person.
Re:top score for stupid by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:24 · Score: 0

Dawn Tromp said cornflakes in a bowl are part of a healthy breakfast and to invest heavily in negative interest bonds.
Can you help me put my socks on now?
Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:30 · Score: 4, Interesting

With MS's failure to address this, I wonder if this confirms that Windows 10 is essentially illegal to use in Doctor offices across the US, as well as Public Libraries? Both institutions have federal laws on records preventing the sharing of information with third parties unless noted by the patient/patron specifically.
As such, the use of Windows 10 for either may well be illegal.
1. Re:Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:47 · Score: 0
  
  Every single doctor's office in the country requires you sign a HIPAA waiver in order to obtain services, and unless life-threatening, it is perfectly legal for them to deny you service if you refuse to sign.
2. Re:Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by EndlessNameless · 2016-07-21 06:14 · Score: 1
  
  The Enterprise edition is sufficient for those cases.
  Even if it were an issue, they could block the machines from communicating with Microsoft.
  Updates can be distributed via WSUS, so there is no need for business workstations to connect to Microsoft servers at all.
  
  --
  
  ---
  According to the latest ruleset, this post should be modded as Vorpal Flamebait +5.
3. Re:Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 10:23 · Score: 0
  
  Haha... As if they are tech savy and cares enough to even think of blocking anything. Most public hospitals even right now have a tendency to leak out personal information by accident.
  Just right now articles in the mainstream media about this happening daily at hospitals here and yet we should trust them to block a OS vendor who have access to all the backdoors and probably have thousands of unknown ip's?
4. Re:Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by JohnFen · 2016-07-21 10:40 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  I have never been required to sign a HIPAA waiver. I have, however, always been required to sign an acknowledgement that I have read the HIPAA fact sheet.
5. Re:Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by penguinoid · 2016-07-21 10:42 · Score: 1
  
  Every single doctor's office in the country requires you sign a HIPAA waiver in order to obtain services, and unless life-threatening, it is perfectly legal for them to deny you service if you refuse to sign.
  And so when someone does show up with a life-threatening condition and doesn't sign a HIPAA waiver, do they have to replace all their Windows 10 machines with ones that don't spy?
  
  --
  Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
6. Re:Win 10 - Illegal for doctors and libraries? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 12:07 · Score: 0
  
  The Enterprise edition is sufficient for those cases.
  "Just buy the Enterprise edition" is a cop-out. Not every business is an "enterprise", no matter how much Microsoft's licensing goons want to claim otherwise. A doctor's office with 2 physicians and 5 computers in the building doesn't need a fucking clustered Active Directory forest and all the other enterprise cruft, they need 5 PCs that can talk to each other. Windows Professional is more than sufficient for the needs of most small businesses, but conveniently, Windows 10 Pro has no way to disable telemetry and spying.
Solution: Show us the source code by UnknownSoldier · 2016-07-21 05:39 · Score: 3, Insightful

Hey MS
If you want to _prove_ your innocence then show the source code so we can audit what, when, where, data is being collected.
Because you have ZERO trust at this point.
What's that? Have "faith" in you? BWUAHA. Fuck your arrogance and spying. PROVE IT.
1. Re:Solution: Show us the source code by EndlessNameless · 2016-07-21 06:21 · Score: 1
  
  Microsoft is dealing with a regulatory body that has issued them a warning. They don't need to "prove innocence". They need to demonstrate compliance with the law by the deadline.
  It doesn't matter if they convince CNIL that their current regime is adequate or if they change the telemetry behavior on French installations.
  Until CNIL imposes a penalty, they have every reason to be cooperative and accommodating.
  It must be nice to live in a country where laws protect the privacy of citizens from corporate interests.
  
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  According to the latest ruleset, this post should be modded as Vorpal Flamebait +5.
2. Re:Solution: Show us the source code by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:10 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  In the Year 2121: Windows 7 is still the OS everyone uses despite being out of service. Since everyone turned off updates in 2016 no one noticed...
Twenty years (and counting)... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 05:52 · Score: 0

... giving the finger to Microsoft. And, death permitting, it will be another twenty years - unless this despicable organization goes bust first, of course.
Your Penis Size to Boot Windows? by BrendaEM · 2016-07-21 06:33 · Score: 1

Where do you draw the line?

--
https://www.youtube.com/c/BrendaEM
1. Re:Your Penis Size to Boot Windows? by ArtemaOne · 2016-07-21 10:36 · Score: 1
  
  I'm always willing to share this information. I've found it is hard to find legit conversation points to brag. "Hey, it sure is humid" "Yeah, I'm as big around as your wrist" "uh"
"Microsoft responds..." by tlambert · 2016-07-21 07:03 · Score: 5, Funny

"Microsoft responds..."
We have no idea what would lead Jeremy Archibald Plevin of 2217 Sand Fort Terrace, Blivet Michigan, whose social security number is 555-666-7777, and who only has $9,472 in his bank account and that $100 savings bond his grandfather gave him when he turned 13, and tends to watch an average of 17.3 cat videos per month, and whose favorite search term is 'midget porn' (seriously, Jeremy?1?) to make such unfounded accusations. However, we'd like to assure you, they are unfounded.
Propaganda Army of M$ by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:42 · Score: 0

...will not be bothered by facts of ethics. M$ is an evil entity and employs in the order of thousands of propaganda goons. They have no conscience whatsoever.
Solution by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:45 · Score: 0

Rid yourself of the crap and install OpenBSD.
Also, run an RPI behind the DSL modem as a file server. Boycott the Khazar-oogle.
Yes H$llary by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:54 · Score: 0

We know you only want to backdor ANY electronic system. You said so publicly. Because your paymasters in NY and Riad need that to controlt the sheeple.
Plus by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 07:57 · Score: 0

The state of the crypto key generator for "anti terror purposes". You know, it could be that you conspire to stop the banksters from stopping what is their Natural Born Right - to shaft you and the rest of the 99%.
Hillary works hard towards this end.
Oh yeah, privacy... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:00 · Score: 0

Unless someone in Europe/France has a friend or emails someone in the US....
Betcha they get the data then...
The whole thing of collecting data has gone too far. So let us all gather data on MS and their employees, CEO, CIO,CFO, CXXs
And publish it all ...
WRONG by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:03 · Score: 0

Jeremy's data will be used to send some goons for intimidation to him. They will claim to be CIA when in truth they are PrivateGoonCorp.
This will happen if Jeremy openly speaks out against Terror Hillary and her Riad Friends, and Terror Hillary is threatened to lose the already rigged competition.
Comprendre ?
Re:Polite Response Is by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:22 · Score: 0

Boycott the 1% New World Order Software:
Windows
MacOS
Android
iOS
Government Docs ("Google Docs")
Spy Linux ("ubuntu")
Spy Linux (Ubuntu)? How is that? 1) It's open source. 2) The Amazon stuff is trivially easy to strip out. 3) Canonical removed it themselves in 16.04 after backlash from the users.
Clippy has become self aware..... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 08:39 · Score: 0

Be afraid....very afraid...*NO CARRIER*
France pretending they just found out, wait 3 mos by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 09:33 · Score: 0

Bullshit.
Microsoft is US gov. Period. This is why a nation on the other side of the planet has to have this discussion.
Google and Facebook are also spy shops.
France just wants their share of the data by srichard25 · 2016-07-21 10:20 · Score: 1

" Microsoft has now responded, saying it is happy to work with the CNIL to work towards an acceptable solution."
I bet the acceptable solution will be sharing some of that "telemetry" data with the French government to look the other way. Similar to the deal Microsoft worked out with the NSA.
Depends..... by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-21 20:56 · Score: 0

Hypothetically if you ethernet bridged the VM with a 'physical' ethernet interface under windows, on which you had deleted all IPvX related protocols, you should be able to do that. I often have set physical addresses in a non-standard range to emulate that, or done vpns to allow outbound access over an easily auditable channel.
Ensuring microsoft isn't/doesn't start its own dhcp process on the physical interface regardless of configured settings to try and get online is another matter however, and that could be used to covertly exfiltrate their telemetry data, or anything else, assuming a consumer router or one not configured to log and report any unexpected IP registrations (such as your windows box, which should be IP/hw address blacklisted to avoid getting a dhcp lease *AND* ignored by the gateway unless it has such a lease. Whitelist the VM's virtual bridged hardware address, with router logging of outbound tcp/udp connections hostnames/addresses, and then check those against known microsoft telemetry sites. And hope they don't start tunneling said data through cloudflare or another CDN who backends 3/4 of the web (there is your scary food for thought for the day....)
Coren22 see? Others think highly of me by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 03:50 · Score: 0

See subject: &, "overload it"? I've got 4 million entries in my hosts file & I go faster online thru adblocks + hardcoded favorites (where I spend a GOOD 95++% of my time online as most people do @ sites they like - just like they do on TV channels).
* Between the 2 of them I go faster online than YOU ever will...
(& I do so for FAR less resources used & moving parts complexity (+ room for exploit OR breakdown) using what we already NATIVELY have that's part of the IP stack running in kernelmode speed (vs. slower usermode)).
APK
P.S.=> Coren22 - face facts: You're a menial imbecile who will never EVER accomplish anything of worth in the art & science of computing (whereas I have many times having been both published internationally for it, & being paid for it with commercially sold code thru certified Microsoft partners to my name/credit which is WHY I can use my REAL NAME online, with pride... you can't!)... apk
1. Re:Coren22 see? Others think highly of me by Coren22 · 2016-07-27 07:34 · Score: 1
  
  Yes, overload it. Try going to any site not in your hosts file and you will see exactly what I mean. You are abusing a piece of the network stack and slowing your computer at the same time. Just because you are too inexperienced with computers to understand why, does not make me in any way wrong, and your consistent attempts to degrade me just prove me right.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
Coren22 it's better work than you've done by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 04:07 · Score: 0

See subject: A limited imbecile like you wouldn't grasp code. You're TOO limited as a SCRIPT KIDDIE level menial who will NEVER ever accomplish even a FRACTION of what I have in the art & science of computing!
(Things like my having successfully for almost 2 decades now commercially sold code from Microsoft certified partners to my name & tons of others I was paid for in the end also, after being published about internationally in respected publications worldwide).
APK
P.S.=> Your jealousy @ being stuck as a MENIAL imbecile is showing... & I tell you 1 thing - It's NOT easy being "world-class" like me (but it IS easy being a snivelling little gossiping online do-nothing "ne'er-do-well" troll like you which is why you do it - anyone can, but not everyone can do what I've done MANY times no less - things you never will, lol... you're too LIMITED & stupid as well as brain-damaged by "outism/assburgers" limiting you)... apk
1. Re:Coren22 it's better work than you've done by Coren22 · 2016-07-27 07:38 · Score: 1
  
  HILARIOUS!
  Buddy, reading code is nothing, writing code is nothing.
  What you have done is nothing special, as this "script kiddie" proved already to you by writing a script that duplicated your complicated program's functionality in a single line.
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
Certified computing pros cite my program by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 06:45 · Score: 0

"As if he is the final word on anything? He doesn't even understand the basics of how the hosts file works and why it is such a bad idea to overload it." - by Coren22 ( 1625475 ) on Wednesday July 27, 2016 @11:01AM (#52589711)
See subject: Mr. Joseph Forbes (tons of certifications) considers my work valuable & cites it http://blog.snxconsulting.com/...
* So what's that you said quoted above, Mr. "ne'er-do-well" do nothing limited in the computing sciences MENIAL?
Between THIS post & my last one here too https://slashdot.org/comments.... ?
"EAT YOUR WORDS" as usual, Coren22 - change your diet: Eating your words != GOOD nutrition, lol...
NOBODY & I mean nobody @ all considers you an expert on a damn thing NOR have you done more useful work in the art & science of computing - fact.
APK
P.S.=> You're just too easy to get the best of every single time - seriously... apk
1. Re:Certified computing pros cite my program by Coren22 · 2016-07-27 07:36 · Score: 1
  
  Funny, how you didn't prove me wrong, just attempted to appeal to authority as if that changes what I said. It is easy, I agree, that is why you lose every time.
  Keep it up, this is fun to me; almost as much fun as reading AmicusNYCL tear you apart.
  https://yro.slashdot.org/comme...
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
A sub 4% rarity but loading 40% faster by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 08:45 · Score: 0

See subject: Hardcoded favs are where I spend my time as others do (like TV) & adblocks cut size by 40% & IF I miss a lookup (not a big deal, happens in kernelmode cached in RAM) http://www.techweekeurope.co.uk/e-marketing/adblock-plus-adblocking-network-traffic-172245 ?
What I do makes lookups load 40% faster due to adblocking hosts do - the FASTEST most efficient way in kernelmode speed minus less resource use too!
IS THAT WHY FOLKS @ SuperUser.com FOUND HOSTS FASTER THAN ADBLOCK? http://superuser.com/questions/686041/which-leads-to-faster-browsing-an-ad-blocker-or-an-edited-hosts-file
Yes, it is partially.
* This is how & WHY I crush you every single time Coren22 - you don't have enough brains to know that!
APK
P.S.=> Thanks for proving yourself incompetent once again... apk
Malwarebytes folks host & recommend me by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 08:54 · Score: 0

See subject: Funny how AmicusNYCL suggested an INFERIOR solution vs. mine then, eh? LOL, hilarious-> https://yro.slashdot.org/comme... & he was left w/ nothing but OFF TOPIC drivel in response (he had nothing valid & on topic is why, lol).
APK
P.S.=> See subject: Not only does Mr. Joseph Forbes cite my work but I have the likes of malwarebytes doing so too & YOU DON'T (you never will).
They're the best antimalware on the planet making QUITE a name for themselves HOSTING & RECOMMENDING my work - so, how about YOU by way of comparison? I'll answer that - NADA/SQUAT/ZERO - living up to your "full-time" troll image, lol... a "ne'er-do-well" mere FORUMS troll! apk
Coren22 where's YOURS that's better? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 09:04 · Score: 0

See subject: AND that YOU wrote completely yourself as I have (from only 1 example I have that's done well)? Not scripting others commands, but all functions written by YOU like I did??
* ANSWER - it's not NOR will it EVER be... you're TOO limited in skills and brain power!
(That makes YOU truly LESS THAN NOTHING, lol, by YOUR OWN LIMITED OUTISM/ASSBURGER LOGIC no less... lmao!)
IRONIC but true in my case over you: Captcha = SUPERIOR
APK
P.S.=> This is the result of your forums trolling, menial stooge - you don't accomplish anything... however, I do! apk
1. Re:Coren22 where's YOURS that's better? by Coren22 · 2016-07-27 09:43 · Score: 1
  
  Funny how you make all these claims that are impossible to prove since your crapware is CLOSED SOURCE!
  So, all we have is your word...the word of a spammer, that you don't use any functions you didn't write yourself. Yet again, silly arguments shot down without the barest effort. Once again, you resort to insults since you know your arguments have failed.
  Also, it is rather rich when you call other's offtopic (AmicusNYCL) and troll (me), when you are the biggest offtopic troll of them all, proven by the mods!
  
  --
  APK likes to ask for responses to the same things over and over. Maybe he just likes the responses?
Coren22 where's YOURS that's better? by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-27 11:47 · Score: 0

See subject & answer it w/ proof. Evasions Coren22? Yes. You have none. Malwarebytes' Steve Burn SAW MY CODE & audited for safety too!
(... & he had to make NO corrections & saw the functions I wrote up BY HAND for both string processing, http transfers of data for hosts intake, sorts & deduplication PLUS icmp work for reverse dns verification of favorites plus all the rest that stitched it all together - to date it's been "bug free & BULLETPROOF" too).
LASTLY - you came here talking shit about me?
Thus, I publicly embarrass a mere MENIAL STOOGE like you via your lack of abilities in the art & science of computing...
Yes, I do the SAME to your sockpuppet alterego AmicusNYCL the moron!
(Who's JUST LIKE YOU - all talk, no action or proof you've actually developed anything worthwhile in programs... neither of you has or ever will - you're nothing but do nothing forums board TALKERS!)
APK
P.S.=> Coren22, the more you give me guff & talk about me, the more I will show everyone what a WASTE OF LIFE you are - a "ne'er-do-well" forums TALKER, nothing more (vs. myself who clearly is a doer - one that does SO WELL I have commercial programs that are successful bearing my work in them for nearly 2++ decades now & being cited by security & networking pros GALORE to my name/credit also... internationally published too, many times - how about you? NADA, lol!)... apk
My word's FAR better than YOURS liar by Anonymous Coward · 2016-07-28 00:42 · Score: 0

See subject & THIS bullshit you said about me you liar https://it.slashdot.org/commen... when I post on hosts MOST of the time it's on topic (unless I have to defend myself against gossip/rumor SCUMBAG LIARS who are "ne'er-do-well" DO NOTHINGS in the art & science of computing (all of which are you in that list of reprehensible losers))
AND
I post on topic where hosts work to SOLVE PROBLEMS (unlike fools like you that have zero to show for themselves that use FAKE NAMES online, like the fakes they are (you)) - NOT 'spam' (of course, that line of bullshit is the "best" that "your kind" (online trash) have...)
APK
P.S.=> I mean, everyone SEES your childish signatures (since I constantly THRASH your loser ass on things technical - of which I literally have DOZENS of bookmarked as proof should anyone ask) & how you give me guff nigh constantly - who are you TRYING to fool?