https://freerepublic.com/tag/globaldeviceid/ en-us Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:40:27 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389065/posts Microsoft has confirmed that Windows has a previously unknown Global Device ID (GDID), a permanent, unique digital identifier assigned to Windows devices that can tie a user's actions to their device. This came to light when an alleged member of a notorious hacking group was caught at an airport after Microsoft handed over his GDID to the authorities. Microsoft describes the GDID in a published complaint (via Windows Latest) as "a persistent, device-level identifier designed to uniquely identify an installation of a Windows operating system on a device, either a physical device (e.g., a mobile phone or laptop) or virtual... Yahoo Tech https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4389065/posts#comment Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:40:27 GMT