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.

[Vermont Lt]

Haven’t been to Cleveland lately have you? Ha ha.

[Norm Lenhart]

In 84 I drove from SoCal back home to upstate NY. Being young and invincible I made it from Orange CA to Cleveland Ohio without sleeping thanks to the miracle of NoDoz and Pepsi. I was basically hallucinating when I got there.

So that hotel looked a lot like heaven.

Not so much when I woke up about 18 hours later ;)

[sparklite2]

W10 is fine with me. Runs great, too.
I opted out of the data collection, but
even if that doesn’t stop it, I really
don’t care. I wish they’d target the
ads in see on television, then maybe
there wouldn’t be the deluge of toe fungus
cures, perpetual begging, and catheter ads.

[MomwithHope]

Maybe someone can explain to me why the upgrade icon appeared on schedule earlier in the week in my lower right tool bar and after I did nothing now it is gone. I will probably upgrade, just want to wait.

[al baby]

I love my imac 27

[Swordmaker]

https://www.google.com/search?q=apple+data+collection&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

51,600,000 articles RE apple data collection.

Norm, you obviously really did not look at those articles your Google search brought up, did you? Here are the first two pages of what the search returned:

---

1. Apple - Legal - Privacy Policy
   Apple’s statement of users’ privacy.

2. Apple Says It Isn't Interested in Your Data: Here's What …
   Well, DUH!

3. So Apple doesn't collect as much data as Google.
   Yes, Apple doesn’t mine users’ data like Google.

4. Apple Automatically Collects Safari Searches, User Location …
   Apple collects data in SPOTLIGHT. . . on the users computer and iOS devices. . . WOW!. That’s dangerous.

5. Apple On Data Collection: 'Why Would You Do That
   AppleWWDC15 Apple's stance on data collection: “We honestly just don't want to know,” said Craig Federighi, Apple's SVP of software …

6. 'backdoor' for data collection - The Next Web
   Apple has published new information about the diagnostic capabilities of iOS, in what appears to be a response to suggestions that it includes a ‘backdoor’ that could enable governments and other third-parties to access user data.

   The controversy arose after security consultant Jonathan Zdziarski documented a vulnerability that could leave usage data on iOS device exposed. Rebutting subsequent reports that linked the vulnerability with government data collection, Apple told iMore that it has “has never worked with any government agency from any country to create a backdoor in any of our products or services.”

7. Judge rules Apple must face lawsuit over iPhone data …

   A lawsuit accusing Apple of collecting users' data against their will through iPhone applications is moving forward after a California judge's ruling.

   Apple won this lawsuit from 2011. No damages shown. All the data collected never left the users devices.

8. Apple, Google Collect User Data - Wall Street Journal
   Article based on claims in the above lawsuit in #7. . . proved wrong in reference to Apple but not Google in discovery in the lawsuit.

9. iFormBuilder Mobile Data Collection | iOS and Android …
   Information about an Android and iOS app . . . irrelevant.

10. Your iPhone Is Collecting More Information About You Than …
    Idiotic “security expert” claimed documented parts of iOS used to sync iPhones and iPads with computers were “undocumented hidden backdoors" for data mining. . . other developers called him an idiot. Hundreds of duplicate articles picked up this spurious claim and repeated it.

11. Apple Wins Bid to Halt Privacy Suit Over Data Collection …
    See the lawsuit above in #7: Apple wins. . .

12. Apple clarifies Spotlight Suggestions data collection practices
    See Listing #4 above Re: Spotlight and Safari. . . again, Apple was right. . . search data doesn't leaves Apple devices to be shared with others.

13. Apple now labeling map data collection vehicles in the US, UK
    Article on Apple running mapping for Apple Maps.

14. Inquiries Grow Over Apple's Data Collection Practices
    Another article ginned up by the 2011 lawsuit in #7 over the iPhone “data collection”.

15. Apple introduces ResearchKit to improve and expand …
    Introduction of health research tools for medical research labs, opt in only for those who participate.

16. Apple Trying to Improve Maps Product With Global Data
    Article on Apple’s vehicles doing street level mapping around the world.

The rest of your 91 million hits are more of the same plus a lot of ignorant FUD claiming Apple doing things they simply are not doing or multiple copies of the identical articles published again and again in different forums. . . because if you add Apple to anything if gets hits. Also if you mention Google, Android, or any other company collecting data, they will feel obliged to also mention Apple. That is just a fact. Sorry, the truth is that Apple is NOT collecting anyone's data beyond what is necessary to provide their customers with services for their products.

[Norm Lenhart]

Did you read my post or just react. I said dealing with the issue, not being on one side or the other of it.

If you are going to react with Apple talking points, at least pull up the correct Apple talking points on your ipad.

[EQAndyBuzz]

I have windows 10. Did everything I could to minimize my online profile. That’s about all you can do. My hat rooms, pictures, politics are all done from an iPad. My gaming is done on my desktop.

As far as speed, I like 10 more than I like 7. Then again, up until 3 weeks ago I was still on XP.

[MV=PY]

W10 is looking solid on one of my Surfaces. Thanks to you I have my privacy back.

Thanks for the post!

[Swordmaker]

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

Godwin's law has now been invoked. Good going Norm. . . You've just equated Apple to Nazi's. What a great debating technique. You have no proof of your assertions, so trot out Hitler and the Nazis.

You obviously have not read Apple's users agreement. . . or Apple's Privacy Statements to its users. Or seen the proofs of their truths that have been uncovered over the years by developers who have gone looking for the so-called "backdoors," Apple data collection databases, and other underhanded practices they've been accused of performing and come up empty-handed, time after time of trying to find them. . . or the anger generated from Federal Prosecutors who have tried to get Apple to disgorge data even with court ordered search warrants only to be faced with Apple telling the governmental agencies they can't comply. Apple couldn't even if they wanted to.

Apple simply doesn't have the keys to their users' data!

Apple will gladly supply the encrypted files they have as ordered by all legal search warrants. . . but that gets the government nowhere because they are encrypted to 256 bit AES standard by the Apple devices before they are ever uploaded to the iCloud and the device owners have the keys.

[Norm Lenhart]

Shove the internet meme. Truth is truth.

[Swordmaker]

Did you read my post or just react. I said dealing with the issue, not being on one side or the other of it.

Your post implies that since there are 51 million Google articles on Apple Data Collection that Apple must be doing data collection. . . the facts which I have pointed out is that it is not true and that the first two pages of the 51 million you linked to DENY that claim. . . and if you keep going you find it continues in the same vein. Just because 51 million Frenchmen claim something is not proof it's true. (old adage proving a fallacy).

Your assumption I am posting from an iPad is also wrong. . . or Apple talking points. Your continued negative posts about Apple users and Apple in the rest of the thread established your attitude and viewpoints. . . not to mention the insults to Apple users. Nice try. . .

[Swordmaker]

Shove the internet meme. Truth is truth.

I've provided links, including your own Google search, showing you are wrong. You've provided your unsupported ignorant and biased opinion without support. The only thing you provided showed exactly the opposite of what you expected it to show. Prove your assertions are TRUTH. You cannot because they are NOT true. Apple sells hardware, not information. They are NOT interested collecting data. Google sells ads and data. . . and they are interested in collecting everything they can to monetize that.

For Apple their hardware, and to a lesser extent their services and software, are their products. They are quite upfront about it. For Google and now Microsoft, YOU are their product.

[Secret Agent Man]

dont use w10. simple opt out.

[dayglored]

More on Windows 10 as Big Brother with the Spyin' Eye ... PING!

You can find all the Windows Ping list threads with FR search: just search on keyword "windowspinglist".

Thanks to Swordmaker for the heads-up!!

[minnesota_bound]

Anyone think that the OFF switch actually works!!

[rarestia]

Apple has been very public with their data collection methodologies, but that does not mean they’re not doing it, sword.

If you use Siri, voice to text, or have your GPS turned on at all, you’re subject to monitoring and recording. Apple has been very clear that the use of Siri and voice to text requires a connection to Apple, and GPS, besides being an absolute bear on your battery, is linked into every component of the base Apple software. There have been stories where GPS could be turned on even if you thought you had it off.

So let’s cut through the bullshit and acknowledge that even Apple isn’t beyond scrutiny. They’re much lower on the totem pole compared to, say, Google, but they’re still collecting data, even if they say they aren’t going to use it. Google said that very same thing once, and I think we all know how that turned out.

Stop being so damn defensive. We’re all in this together.

[GOPJ]

Bookmarked

[GOPJ]

Me too...

[itsahoot]

God knows FR has a cult contingent that defend the sacred apple regardless of what they do.

Look through any Apple thread and tell me if there are more Apple fanboys than Apple haters posting.