Windows 10 is spying on almost everything you do – here’s how to opt out

BGR ^ | 07/31//15 | Zach Epstein

[Enlightened1]

Windows 10 is amazing. Windows 10 is fantastic. Windows 10 is glorious. Windows 10 is faster, smoother and more user-friendly than any Windows operating system that has come before it. Windows 10 is everything Windows 8 should have been, addressing nearly all of the major problems users had with Microsoft’s previous-generation platform in one fell swoop.

But there’s something you should know: As you read this article from your newly upgraded PC, Windows 10 is also spying on nearly everything you do.

[sushiman]

I’m sticking with Windows 7 .

[adorno]

Going over to Apple on my next computer.

That's like going from the bite of a house cat to that of a tiger.

Apple is, without a doubt, the most controlling of tech companies around, and to do that, they need to spy on every bit of your data and software and internet usage. At least with Microsoft, you can opt out of the 'spying', like the article says. With Apple, not a chance; 'it's what they do'.

[sushiman]

Same here .

[HarleyLady27]

where do you find what windows edition you have?

[Norm Lenhart]

Being on Farcebook is about the opposite of a computer being locked down.

But I goofed. You did say FB ;)

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I completely understand about FB and know that *I* am the Product, I have maybe 1-2 ‘spyware’ hits each month. My Firewall and timed data cleanses both do a good job.

I can’t remember the last time I had a pop-up or anything of that nature.

[Swordmaker]

Another one on Windows privacy invasion . . .

[markomalley]

THE LAST Windows update you will need.

[chris37]

control panel/ system

[HarleyLady27]

found it/ windows 8

What would I do if it were not for you people on FR????

Thank you all so much....;0)

[chris37]

yw ^^

[Swordmaker]

Link? What do you think Itunes, Siri, Apple TV and the rest have done since day 1? There’s only been a billion articles over they years.

Apple has specifically denied what you are claiming. . . in writing from Apple's CEO. It is also in their terms of service. Apple has also specifically stated that customer privacy is primary with Apple and they do not share any of their customers' data they may have with third parties. They also do not keep data beyond the bare minimum to provide services to their customers. All customer data is kept encrypted and Apple does not have the keys to decrypt it.

Are you familiar with the penalties attached to violation of Sarbanes Oxley? They are personal and severe and include prison time for making false statements that may adversely affect the value of the company's stock. False claiming something relating to the privacy of Apple's customers that later turned out to be blatantly untrue would redound drastically on the value of Apple's stock values. . . and would cause S/OX penalties to kick in on who ever uttered the falsehoods.

[Norm Lenhart]

Thats the ...beauty of Facebook. Your/anyone’s presence there and interactions there gives them datamining that traditional spyware could only dream of. If you are aware of it, it’s all good.

[Chainmail]

Good information.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

As if previous versions of Windows weren’t phoning home to Redmond every fifteen seconds.

[Norm Lenhart]

And on cue Apple’s PR man appears.

Hitler denied the Holocaust. Reams of evidence proved he did it.

Apple denies data collection. Only a fool would deny that as well. Gust because ‘Apple denies’ does not mean jack squat when their own UA for all their products spell out that they ARE.

[VRWCarea51]

Ta Daaaaaaa

;)

[Norm Lenhart]

Arguing with Apple’s PR Department is a challenge on par with Copernicus before the Church over Heliocentric.

You will always be right and they will fight you to the death.

[Norm Lenhart]

Edit - Heilocentricsm

[TomGuy]

As if previous versions of Windows weren’t phoning home to Redmond every fifteen seconds.

Yeah. Many times I have awakened in the middle of the night, got up to make a pit stop, and saw my laptop and/or desktop [both supposed to be in 'sleep' mode] hard drive lights flashing and the modem/router lights doing the same.

I have 'auto updates' turned off on both machines, but still occasionally start having operation type problems. I have to do a System Restore and notice several 'critical update' events have been put on the computer.

The only real options seem to be shutting the computers completely down or turning the modem/router off. But, I figure they (MS or NSA or whoever is getting the data) will just download it during the day when the computer is on.