EU Privacy Watchdogs Say Windows 10 Settings Still Raise Concerns (reuters.com)

Julia Fioretti, reporting for Reuters: European Union data protection watchdogs said on Monday they were still concerned about the privacy settings of Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system despite the U.S. company announcing changes to the installation process. The watchdogs, a group made up of the EU's 28 authorities responsible for enforcing data protection law, wrote to Microsoft last year expressing concerns about the default installation settings of Windows 10 and users' apparent lack of control over the company's processing of their data. The group -- referred to as the Article 29 Working Party -- asked for more explanation of Microsoft's processing of personal data for various purposes, including advertising. "In light of the above, which are separate to the results of ongoing inquiries at a national level, even considering the proposed changes to Windows 10, the Working Party remains concerned about the level of protection of users' personal data," the group said in a statement which also acknowledged Microsoft's willingness to cooperate.

Comments

This is an OS

[HalAtWork]

It shouldn't be collecting data of any kind unless you opt to submit crash reports

Re:This is an OS

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft has stated that they think of Windows 10 as a "service". So you're not buying an operating system you're buying a service that MS is allowing you to use their software in exchange for money and privacy.

EU Governments need to ban Windows 10.

[Zombie Ryushu]

The only way for the Privacy of EU Citizens to be assured of Privacy in the EU is for EU Governments to ban the Use of Windows 10. The entire OS is Spyware. Full stop.

Re:EU Governments need to ban Windows 10.

[xlsior]

If they were to ban the sale of Win10 in the EU, Microsoft would magically have a non-privacy-violating version read the next day.

The EU is a much larger market than North America, Microsoft couldn't afford to ignore it.

Re:EU Governments need to ban Windows 10.

[Anonymous Coward]

If they were to ban the sale of Win10 in the EU, Microsoft would magically have a non-privacy-violating version read the next day.

And pirated by us US-ians the day after that.

Re:EU Governments need to ban Windows 10.

[Godwin O'Hitler]

Well, if the Express said that in an 8-month old article I guess it must be true.

They also need to prevent unattended reboots

[Snotnose]

My #1 complaint on Win10, over the telemetry and touch oriented interface, is the fact that whenever I open my laptop I never know if it will have rebooted or not.

I don't understand how M$ can think it's ok to reboot my laptop without first getting my consent. If it weren't for a couple programs I need Windows for I'd have 2 laptops running Linux, instead of just 1.

Microsoft's Windows but not Google's Chrome?

[yuvcifjt]

Interesting to note how much Google is spending on bribing (aka "lobbying") the EU.
Not to mention the US.

But of course, both Microsoft and Google should be publicly shamed for using their users and leaching them of their private lives.

vote with your wallet

[FudRucker]

dont buy microsoft windows 10, buy a computer without windows that has Linux pre-installed or install your favorite flavor of Linux.

Re:Microsoft's Arrogance is Shameful

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft's refusal to allow us to turn off their intrusions smacks of incredible arrogance but their 90% domination of the PC market means most of us are stuck with them anyway. It's time for the EU to step in with a bat and end the Microsoft Monopoly with a Ma Bell style break-up.

When consumers can pick between a Windows that's riddled with spyware, and one that isn't, then they will finally have a choice.

Or you know, you should just get out of your comfort zone and switch to Linux. Vote with your wallet.

Re:Got tired of that shit, went back to Win 7.

[StormReaver]

I don't really know what I'm going to do when they fuck up Windows 7 just as badly [as Windows 10] or try to [deprecate] it, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

You're at that bridge right now. It's time to start switching to Linux, while you still have some breathing room, and not wait until you're in a crisis.

Windows 7 is already deprecated, though support hasn't been complete pulled yet (but all the copies of Windows 7 that will ever be provided to retailers are already in play). And ReactOS will NEVER reach API parity with Windows 7/10+. WINE has been chasing the Windows API for decades, with spotty success at best.

I switched to Linux full time back in 1999, and haven't used Windows at home since then. I weathered the ups and downs of my transition, learning as I went along, but it didn't take long before the Linux way (I settled on Kubuntu) of doing things seemed more natural than the Windows way of doing things.

But I didn't wait until I was at a do-or-die confrontation with life. I switched while I still had plenty of time to learn my new surroundings. This is where you are right now. Don't wait until you are under pressure. Start now by using the same Free and Open Source Software on Windows as you will be using under Linux (to the extent that it is available on Windows). Then, when you switch, you won't be under extreme pressure to replace your software and operating system at the same time.

Re:Got tired of that shit, went back to Win 7.

[allo]

TL:DR: A OS should work for you, not against you.