Five Privacy Issues With W10

By DrJBHL on August 2, 2015 8:02:49 AM from

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DrJBHL

Join Date 04/2002

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The first and worst? From MS’s Privacy Policy Statement:

“We will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to […] protect our customers or enforce the terms governing the use of the services.”

This (to me) says my computer now belongs to them. Sorry, this is completely unacceptable.

The second? Cortana:

“To enable Cortana to provide personalised experiences and relevant suggestions, Microsoft collects and uses various types of data, such as your device location, data from your calendar, the apps you use, data from your emails and text messages, who you call, your contacts and how often you interact with them on your device. Cortana also learns about you by collecting data about how you use your device and other Microsoft services, such as your music, alarm settings, whether the lockscreen is on, what you view and purchase, your browse and Bing search history, and more.”

Cortana will also collect your speech data, to “improve” speech recognition. Shades of the Barbie Doll. So, when does your own private MS spy stop “listening”? Does it ever?

Third: Your browser (sorry – their browser): When you sign in to W10 with an MS account, the OS will automatically sync

“some of your settings and data with Microsoft servers”. This includes “web browser history, favorites, and websites you have open” in addition to “saved app, website, mobile hotspot, and Wi-Fi network names and passwords”.

This you can change…there is a way to deactivate that in your MS account settings>”Sync your settings”. That should be set to a negative as the default, not the opposite as MS has done.

Fourth: Advertisers can use your data to send you targeted ads. To me, this is Superfish all over again. You can turn this off in Settings|Privacy and flick the first switch to “off”.

“The ads we select may be based on your current location, search query, or the content you are viewing. Other ads are targeted based on your likely interests or other information that we learn about you over time using demographic data, search queries, interests and favorites, usage data, and location data.”

Lastly (and perhaps worst of all): Your encryption key is automatically sent to your OneDrive account.

So, if OneDrive is ever breached, you’re screwed. Why? Because with device encryption turned on, Windows will automatically encrypt your drive and generate a BitLocker recovery key. This key is backed up, again automatically, onto your Microsoft OneDrive account. If someone changes your data are unrecoverable creating the ransomeware situation.

Don’t you think someone should be asking your permission to do these things? Also, I don’t know about you, but I’m not the property of some corporation, and neither is my computer.

No W10 for me, thanks very much.

Source:

http://www.alphr.com/microsoft/microsoft-windows-10/1001289/the-5-windows-10-privacy-issues-you-should-be-aware-of

Looks like MS has done it again. Screw them! I got Win 7 and 8.1, don't need anything else.

Last I heard an invasion of privacy was illegal.

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Thanks Seth for the post, I read this the other day a figured you'd be on it as well.

To be fair there are some things that can be opted out of. I don't really know what they all might be but I read 13 screens and one outside source to make the opt outs happen.

I agree that it is really a BAD thing and most people won't even be aware of what they are giving away when they do a FREE upgrade. Unfortunately, if MS made these a opt in, nobody would opt in. Seems that MS, while providing updated software and OS is following the Goggle model of mining their customer's privacy for their own personal gain.

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Quoting Uvah,

reply 1

Last I heard an invasion of privacy was illegal.

you're kind of agreeing to allow them to do so when you agree to the conditions listed in the EULA. I'm not saying it's okay, but....

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Why are the collecting data specially private emails?They are spying you.This is insane it like a wiretapping you in home.Is this legal in states?When i talk to my friend i don't want my girlfriend read my message to them because i want privacy just like her but this MS is keeping your private data for what?Its obvious.

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Quoting Destrohelix,

reply 4

I think its like a previous poster stated, MS is adopting the Google 'business' model. Mine personal data to sell to advertisers.

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Destrohelix, Do yourself a favor. Ask them...the answer is probably tied to making money from sale of data, and huge databases.

Secondarily, weren't they the ones who resisted the DoJ (FBI) demanding access to their DBs in Ireland?

They do the same crap as governments: 1. "To improve your experience": Rubbish...to peddle their service to advertisers. 2. For profit DB sales. Governments: "To keep you safe and secure, we need your emails, phone records and metadata, etc." - Rubbish. "We need leverage over everybody." - Truth.

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Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 6

... ...

" - Rubbish. "We need leverage over everybody." - Truth.

And we know governments are not immune to desiring leverage. Just look at the blatant example of J. Edgar Hoover. And thya still named the 'new' HQ after him. LOL

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It just seems that with every day there is a new reason NOT to install Win 10. These privacy issues are pretty much the last straw for me. I certainly don't want MS knowing that I have a big bottom fetish and that I secretly perv at Kim Kardashian's big arse on the internet. Moreover, I don't want to be targeted with unsolicited ads for big bottomed blow-up dolls. No, I like to go to bricks and mortar stores to check them out personally. I mean, some things are just too personal to come by mail order, besides that, I'm missing out on the intimate ride home with her in the back of a taxi.

All jokes aside, MS has sunk to some low depths in the past, but this is as subterranean as it gets In essence, then, they're saying that everything on your PC belongs to them... including your own personal and private stuff. Stinks? No, it's beyond putrid, bordering on noxious.... though certainly obnoxious. What really pisses me off is the fact they think it's okay to intrude into peoples lives because it is written in the EULA. Law enforcement agencies require a warrant/court order to delve so far into peoples personal space, yet MS has set itself above the law with some lopsided EULA that so-say empowers them to rifle through your personal business at will.

If law enforcement acquired evidence this way, it would be thrown out of court as being obtained illegally, so the pertinent questions here are: Why does Microsoft think it can intrude when law enforcement can't? Do we tolerate it? And would a class action suit be in order to force changes?

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Some of what has been highlighted in this topic has been going on for years - whatever operating system you have. If you think otherwise then you are sadly mistaken. They are just trying to be more transparent in their statements so they can be more aggressive like Apple and Google and, also, let you know that somethings they will have to reveal or share info if their hand is forced, legally. There are other reasons too but I don't want to feed the paranoia.

Also, this article on the Windows 10 Wi-fi sense makes interesting reading but you can knock it out with a click of a button http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-turn-off-windows-10-wi-fi-sense-2015-7

I've been playing with Windows 10 since launch day and I'm enjoying it. I managed what I'd read was impossible. A clean install - fully activated - on on brand new SSD. It's fast. Faster than 8.1 and 7. It's still got work to do with a few bugs here and there. Windows 10 will be a winner just like 7 & XP was but it will take two years for Microsoft to get it there. The Edge browser is great but without a pop-up blocker its currently no match for Chrome but when they rectify that it will be very usable and may take over on my machines from Chrome.

Yes, I miss some of my Stardock apps but I know that they will be coming along in the next few months to make my Windows 10 experience even better.

I took the plunge because I'd rather get used to the new OS now and explore its depths than wait till later. Each to their own.

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@starkers

After I read your last post I had to remind myself that you are a current user of windows phone....

@leothelion

I agree completely. Very well put.

@topic

How exactly is the digital assistant (Cortana in this case) supposed to automatically remind me of my flight, car rental/hotel booking etc. etc. without 'reading' my email? How is 'it' supposed to get any better at its job without sending at least some data to its main servers?

Some of us enjoy having to spend less time physically interacting with our devices while at the same time not having to sacrifice their usefulness and technology which can be employed to make that a better overall experience seems reasonable regardless of perceived or in fact real negatives.

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Quoting the_Monk,

reply 10

I don't need it to get better at its job. I don't want it to have a job at all. Keeping track of my stuff is MY job.

What did people ever do before they had a Cortana to whisper in their ear? How did they ever survive?

Why do I need to give up what precious little privacy I have for some synthetic voice to tell me what I can check before getting a cab to the airport? Are you kidding me? For that? Thank but no thanks.

What about your data files and whatever else you keep on your computer? What's the excuse they need for...never mind. They just take it. Oh, and did Cortana say "Thank you, Monk."?

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There is "some" hope. Many of these issues can be turned off, or disabled just like in Windows 8.1. You just need to be a little savy with some of them, and know what to look for.

One Drive was the first thing i disabled after the upgrade. I don't need a copy of my hard drive on a "cloud'. I don't ever use it so i set it not to sync with anything, or load on startup. Though i am kind of pissed that they embedded it into windows, and you cant uninstall it (been like that since 8.1).

Anything i saw that can "phone home", or "sync with anything" that i could disable on the privacy settings i disabled!

Uninstalled IE-11, and installed Firefox, and will NEVER use Edge (at least not willingly) as my default browser.

Did not, nor will i touch Cortana. Skipped the set up during set up, and will sit there waiting to be "set up" indefinitely.

Disabled all Bluetooth, and Remote Settings. I dont use bluetooth. So i dont need it, and leaving remote settings enabled is like leaving a fortress with its gates unbarred, and unguarded.

A place you may want to check out is Black Viper. Mr. Sparks over the years has been over every version of Windows since XP. With helpful installation tips. tweaks, and service configurations (disabling stuff you just don't need). He only has been over the Preview builds of W10 so far, but im keeping an eye to see what he can do with the retail version.

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Hi.

ie6 was a standard browser. however that is outdated now.

Sadly edge cortana and other parts of the system will tend to call microsoft and tell them what you are doing.

Wasn`t it the same with windows XP??.

Just wait a bit and there`ll be 3thrd party solutions for these problemes.( Cause there sure are people not liking that behaviour).

I use my windows 8.1 offline or ten minutes after starting with chrome or firefox in security mode task manager open most times.

regards bluedxca93

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Can't remember which Python character said it but, "It's all a matter of 'leevridge'."

You just need to be a little savy with some of them, and know what to look for.

Wherein lies the problem.

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Quoting the_Monk,

reply 10

@starkers

After I read your last post I had to remind myself that you are a current user of windows phone....

Yes I am, but I do not use Cortana and have turned it off. There are probably other ways for MS to snoop on my phone use, but these days I pretty much just make calls/send texts and occasionally check my emails. While I have some apps installed, I don't often use them these days... nor do I use my phone's MP3 player to listen to music. I mostly use my Win 8.1 tablet for that, and though I have apps loaded in 'Metro', I don't use them/it anymore and use simply my tablet as a regular PC. Sure, Win 8/8.1 probably rings home as well, but I have minimised that where possible and I've not been pestered by unsolicited ads or other nuisance value spam, etc.

As for Win 10 and the privacy concerns, I read this article that explains how many of these intrusive features can be turned off during installation... or if you've already delved into Win 10, how to find the settings afterwards. While there's no promise to restore your privacy 100%, the article does say that many of these invasive items can be nullified with a few tweaks.... and good job, too. However, I do not see why I should have to go to such lengths to protect my privacy and personal data... to avoid targeted ads based on stuff MS should never have been able to see/hear.

I've always been an early adopter of new OSes, starting with beta versions and sticking with the final editions, but not this time. I initially was looking forward to the release of Win 10, but I didn't bother to install any of the previews, nor have I jumped to install the RTM/public release because something just didn't feel right. The advertised new features and under-the-hood improvements did interest me, and they sort of still do, but forced updates, and now privacy concerns, have very much dulled the gloss of what is touted as MS' best ever OS.

As for MS talking 'transparency', a few people who attempted to read the 30-something page privacy statement commented that it was convoluted and as clear as mud... that the bit about 'good faith is a blatant lie that attempts to cover up commercialism, greed and a lust for power. Put bluntly, the whole thing is a profit driven lie that has no regard for users whatsoever. Okay, so there's new features and improvements, but there sure is a steep price for this 'free' OS. Personally, I'd rather pay for a Win 10 copy that has all that 'prying' code ripped out and is not a data harvesting Google clone.

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and this debacle clearly shows there is no such thing as a free OS.

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"What did people ever do before they had a Cortana to whisper in their ear? How did they ever survive?"

What did people ever do before they had mobile phones, stuck permanently to their ears? How did they survive.

Seriously though in reply to the topic, Germany had the Gestapo, Russia had the KGB, now the US and the rest of the world has Google & Microsoft.

Privacy, it's all in the imagination, and this is only the beginning!!

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Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 12

Quoting the_Monk,

reply 10

I don't need it to get better at its job. I don't want it to have a job at all. Keeping track of my stuff is MY job.

What did people ever do before they had a Cortana to whisper in their ear? How did they ever survive?

Why do I need to give up what precious little privacy I have for some synthetic voice to tell me what I can check before getting a cab to the airport? Are you kidding me? For that? Thank but no thanks.

What about your data files and whatever else you keep on your computer? What's the excuse they need for...never mind. They just take it. Oh, and did Cortana say "Thank you, Monk."?

Re-quoting myself...

Quoting the_Monk,

reply 11

@topic

How exactly is the digital assistant (Cortana in this case) supposed to automatically remind me of my flight, car rental/hotel booking etc. etc. without 'reading' my email? How is 'it' supposed to get any better at its job without sending at least some data to its main servers?

Some of us enjoy having to spend less time physically interacting with our devices while at the same time not having to sacrifice their usefulness and technology which can be employed to make that a better overall experience seems reasonable regardless of perceived or in fact real negatives.

You'll notice what left out when quoting me (and which is bolded above) suggests why I believe digital assistants need to be made better. I would argue that anyone still desperately hanging on to 'keeping track of my own stuff' has been/is fighting a losing battle.

"What did people ever do before they had Cortana to whisper in their ear?" The same thing they will do long after technology has created the next puzzle piece on the way to engineering us humans completely out of the equation. Technology is actually supposed to do this. It is supposed to offload responsibility/jobs from us and in doing so maybe create other responsibility/jobs elsewhere. It is up to us to keep up or get out of the way that is all.

You still have privacy 'to give up' Doc? Well I'll just agree to disagree there.....

My data/files can be browsed by 'them' (whoever 'them' actually is) at will I'm sure. Permission to do so just seems so 2000-late these days....

Sure Cortana and I have an uneasy 'friendship' at times (she can really creep you out sometimes with suggestions etc.) but at least Cortana has no feelings I could potentially hurt so the odds of my life being fucked by a vindictive digital assistant are much less than those by a real live one I'd say!

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Quoting the_Monk,

reply 17

at least Cortana has no feelings I could potentially hurt so the odds of my life being fucked by a vindictive digital assistant are much less than those by a real live one I'd say!

For now... although that's just a guess.

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Enjoy W10, Monk. My next OS will be Mac. Although I'm probably older, I keep my brain young by keeping track of my stuff by myself.

Anyone who thinks it's OK to surrender his/her privacy to MS for the sheer pleasure and beauty of their OS can have it with my "blessing".

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Anyone who thinks it's OK to surrender his/her privacy to MS for the sheer pleasure and beauty of their OS can have it with my "blessing".
[/quote]

I'm with you Doc !!!

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Regarding the privacy issues, it's not good enough that you can 'turn this, that or the other feature off'. Since an internet connection is required to install Win10 and the feature(s) are activated by default, by the time you can find the option to turn the respective feature off, your data has already been uploaded to their servers.

i.e the ability to opt out is just for show. Encrypted or not, MS, Advertisers, government entities have access to your wireless network.

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Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 20

Enjoy W10, Monk. My next OS will be Mac. Although I'm probably older, I keep my brain young by keeping track of my stuff by myself.
Anyone who thinks it's OK to surrender his/her privacy to MS for the sheer pleasure and beauty of their OS can have it with my "blessing".

I will thanks. You might just find that W10 is 'the better OSX'. Also my brain is plenty active (sometimes I think too much so) and I'm sure I have at least as many grey hairs as you; I'm just one of those 'older folks' who believes in advancement at any/all cost.

....and not to repeat myself ad nauseam but I sincerely believe privacy (the actual) doesn't exist (hasn't for a long time in my opinion). Or does privacy refer to the marketable product/ideal which is just another way of saying entities 1 2 and 3 may not know what I know/do but entity 4 is allowed? What happens when entity 4 becomes business partners with 1 2 or 3 or is purchased (or otherwise connected with/to) by 1 2 or 3? These days everyone is 'connected' to everyone else and everything else (at least in some way). Unless you intend to stop computing entirely and live the rest of your life off the grid (as possible or not as it still may be) I really believe no one actually has any 'privacy' left.

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Quoting Daiwa,

reply 19

Quoting the_Monk,

reply 17

at least Cortana has no feelings I could potentially hurt so the odds of my life being fucked by a vindictive digital assistant are much less than those by a real live one I'd say!

For now... although that's just a guess.

Well the moment Cortana gives me some lip she'll be dealing with my wife as my wife has reminded me time and again during our marriage that she is the only woman who may ever do so!

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Quoting jwdR1,

reply 21

is that so?

i had all those syncing options turned off in Windows 8.1 (mostly because i do not use MS's environment, i would not want to do without browser syncing or the cloud but i use Yandex), and Windows 10 kept all my settings during the upgrade. as it should.

also i don't see how a clean install would require an internet connection. would be impossible to install on certain hardware then.

and Cortana is opt-in, not opt-out.

of course that doesn't mean just because you don't use a service they wouldn't spy on you. it's MS after all, the company that forgot to rename their NSAKEY variable and that was pre-XP.

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Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 19

Enjoy W10, Monk. My next OS will be Mac. Although I'm probably older, I keep my brain young by keeping track of my stuff by myself.

Same here... I like to keep all my stuff in memory to use/deal with as necessary. While I have Cortana on my phone, I've never found a need to use it and haven't. And while it may be a feature in Win 10 that has the yuppie set abuzz, I will continue to do things the old way... with appointment cards, sticky notes and using my young brain to remember.

As for anything I might forget, most often it comes to bite me in the arse and I'm reminded.... of birthdays and anniversaries, etc.

And while various ones have stated that MS and others are spying on us and probably always have, I see no reason to increase their opportunities by willingly installing even more 'phone home' software. If and when I install Win 10, I will disable all those 'helpful' features by opting for the custom installation.

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Five Privacy Issues With W10

DrJBHL