Microsoft finally responds to accusations that Windows 10 spies on users

Yahoo News ^ | 09/28/2015 | Jacob Siegal

[SeekAndFind]

Ever since Windows 10 launched back in July, one topic of conversation has overshadowed everything the new operating system does right: privacy concerns. Everyone with a Windows device is (rightfully) terrified that Microsoft is monitoring everything they do, so on Monday, Microsoft decided to finally issue an official response in order to clear the air.

In a blog post on Windows.com, Microsoft executive VP Terry Myerson has taken the first step to earning back the trust of the individuals who are concerned about their privacy in regards to Windows 10.

He noted that the data Microsoft collects “is encrypted in transit to our servers, and then stored in secure facilities.” He then went on to list the three ways that Microsoft thinks about this data.

First up is data used for safety and reliability, such as anonymous device ID, device type and crash logs. No content or files from your computer are included in this data, and Myerson says that company takes pains to ensure that none of the data could be used to identify a user.

Next is personalization data, which is how the system learns about your interests and habits in order to cater the experience to specifically to you. Cortana is part of this equation, but as Microsoft notes, you have the ability to tell the OS what you are and aren’t comfortable with it collecting.

Finally, Microsoft wants users to know that “no matter what privacy options you choose, neither Windows 10 nor any other Microsoft software scans the content of your email or other communications, or your files, in order to deliver targeted advertising to you.”

It’s not everything we wanted to hear, but I’m happy to see that Microsoft is dealing with the unfortunate Family Settings that sent automatically sent activity reports to parents.

[IncPen]

I trust that you’ll apply the same standard here that you apply on the Apple threads.

Right?

[LowOiL]

I meant they are embedded... not not embedded.

[Bob434]

don’t know if there’s anything too it- but Linux supposedly has all kinds of demonic references in the code- some quite nasty from what I understand- Even the main word Daemon is supposedly a reference to demonism it’s claimed-

Don’t kill the messenger- just reporting what I read some time back

[Enlightened1]

BTTT

[Enlightened1]

[Chode]

do you know what version it started??? i'm running ver 14.0.1

[LowOiL]

I am told (read) after Firefox got to 27 that there was no easy way to remove it. That it embedded somehow that reinstalled it.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1042916

[MeganC]

Finally, Microsoft wants users to know that “no matter what privacy options you choose, neither Windows 10 nor any other Microsoft software scans the content of your email or other communications, or your files, in order to deliver targeted advertising to you.”

So they scan all your stuff but they don't do it for advertising purposes. Oh, now I feel better.

[Secret Agent Man]

how bout i don’t believe them.

[dayglored]

Microsoft responds to Win 10 spying accusations (and Win7,8?)... PING!

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

Thanks to Swordmaker for the ping!!

[farming pharmer]

don’t know if there’s anything too it- but Linux supposedly has all kinds of demonic references in the code- some quite nasty from what I understand- Even the main word Daemon is supposedly a reference to demonism it’s claimed-

Don’t kill the messenger- just reporting what I read some time back

The term 'daemon' was coined by the programmers of MIT's Project MAC. They took the name from Maxwell's demon, an imaginary being from a thought experiment that constantly works in the background, sorting molecules.[2] Unix systems inherited this terminology. Maxwell's Demon is consistent with Greek mythology's interpretation of a daemon as a supernatural being working in the background, with no particular bias towards good or evil. However, BSD and some of its derivatives have adopted a Christian demon as their mascot rather than a Greek daemon

Many people equate the word "daemon" with the word "demon", implying some kind of satanic connection between UNIX and the underworld. This is an egregious misunderstanding. "Daemon" is actually a much older form of "demon"; daemons have no particular bias towards good or evil, but rather serve to help define a person's character or personality. The ancient Greeks' concept of a "personal daemon" was similar to the modern concept of a "guardian angel"—eudaemonia is the state of being helped or protected by a kindly spirit. As a rule, UNIX systems seem to be infested with both daemons and demons.

Being that Linux is open source, there is no hiding any demonic references in it.. You should download the kernel source code yourself and do a search on it. The uncompiled source is written in plain text.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

Been going on for a long time. And it ain’t just Microsoft.

Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_Assistance_for_Law_Enforcement_Act

[rabidralph]

And we have a particular set of skills...

[Chode]

thx

[dennisw]

Even Linux beats CRApple

[tbw2]

How do you get Quicken to run on it without a Windows emulation?

[tbw2]

Good point. They didn’t say they didn’t scan it, just that it isn’t for the purpose of advertising.

Though this is like corn syrup, fructose and sugar on a food label; they could say that is third on the list after security and problem tracking and thus it isn’t the main purpose.

[kjam22]

People need to understand that you need a couple of devices. One device like a tablet connected to the internet to do email, browsing, free republic, youtube, etc. And another device never connected to the internet to do things like business, taxes, and other personal things.

Doesn't matter if your using Microsoft or Apple..... you have the same privacy issues.

[Bob434]

[[Being that Linux is open source, there is no hiding any demonic references in it]]

I was only relaying what someone else has said- they mentioned, as did you, that bsd and some distros have adopted the devil mascot- and there are codes that reference 666 and some of the terms used for manipulating programs or whatever refer to ‘fingering the daemon’ etc- again- not my words- just what I’ve read on it- There is also of course the blatantly satanic editions of Linux-

There was also the obvious acronym of SATAN which stood for for System Administrator’s Tool for Scanning Networks -

I’ll see if I can find the article- but it was awhile back that I read it-

[Bob434]

I should have said ‘apparently there is code tht references 666- ‘ I’ve not investigated myself so I can’;t say for sure

Also- The Acronym SATAN was an early Linux thing apparently- Not sure if it’s still used-