Posted on 09/30/2014 7:33:23 AM PDT by markomalley
According to a recent article in Zdnet, Microsoft will monitor users in the new Windows 9 Operating System in order to determine how the new OS is used, thus decide what tweaks and changes are need to be made.
During Windows 8 testing, Microsoft said that they had data showing Start Menu usage had dropped, but it seems that the tools they were using at the time weren’t as evolved as the new ‘Asimov’ monitor.
The new system is codenamed ‘Asimov’ and will provide a near real-time view of what is happening on users’ machines. Rest assured, the data is going to be obscured and aggregated, but intelligible enough to allow Microsoft to get detailed insights into user interactions with the OS.
(Excerpt) Read more at windows9hub.com ...
Well, that sure motivates me to upgrade...
Microsoft should be giving away the OS because it’s apparent that “Asimov” makes the customer’s data the real product.
Has been going on for years.
Google, Facebook, etc. have been much more malicious about monitoring and passing info to the feds...
Best thing to do it to see where this one will end up leading....
If it’s a disclosed test suite, I don’t have a problem with it. After all, some freeware...like browsers... ask if you’ll let unidentifiable information be transmitted back to the developers.
It’s when they don’t ask that I get worried. And, I find it hard to believe that Microsoft’s OS hooks will be fully disclosed once it goes commercial.
>> I find it hard to believe that Microsoft’s OS hooks will be fully disclosed once it goes commercial.
To paraphrase another well-worn cliché, “It’s not cynicism if they really ARE out to use you.”
Count me out, Microsoft.
I’ve been there, and put up with your cr...er...software.
I’m still forced to use it at work (with the almost daily software upgrades), but when I retire, you’re totally outta there.
Shove it (and your software) where the sun don’t shine.
Does this mean they can track what I play on my Zune?..... :)
I'll bet the techo weenies will be let s know if they find out it's not anonymous.
I might try this out if you can upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 9 for $30. I can dual boot it and the Windows 7 I'm using right now.
I got the felling someone's watching me...
It’s for your own good...
Actually, there probably isn't. Pretty much all the major operating systems or major internet components (browsers, communications programs, etc.) do some form of anonymized data collection (opt-in) to allow the developers to get feedback on how the software is being used and what was happening if/when problems occur.
The system being described here is no different, though possibly more detailed and efficient. But write an article about how Microsoft is snooping on users? Instant click-bait.
Huh, there was a start menu in Windows 8? Didn't see that, and I pretty much only use desktop mode. Only time I go to tiles is when a program doesn't have an icon on the desktop, then I pin it to the bar so I don't have to go to tiles again.
I'm guessing that the authors meant 'Windows 7 testing', and Microsoft was justifying getting rid of the start menu in Windows 8.
Big Bill is watching you....
Now we know why it is a free upgrade.
The cost is increased loss of privacy and data security.
I wonder if the NSA is subsidizing development of backdoors into software yet...?
When you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear.
Freedom is obedience to the law.
Liberty is compliance with the law.
/s
You really DON’T own their software and they are monitoring how you use it.
Meanwhile if you have a car with software that records driving habits and conversations of valets, that is “bugging” private people even though they are in someone else’s vehicle.
How long until law enforcement subpoenas the data on a suspect?
Dam that was quick.
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