Microsoft and Privacy in one sentence just doesn't work: [video]https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-8oaC4-MIHga2hpeDlTOG5pMDA/view?pli=1[/video]
If that's real/confirmed, even if it only happens on insider builds, it's insane. If true I would assume this doesn't happen on RTM because it would kill MS, but I wonder if it really happens with insider builds.
Thought so. Same with the other thread that claims all your keystrokes are saved in file and sent every 30 minutes. Is it so hard to point us to the folder where that's saved so we can open the file and see if our keystrokes are there or not? We shouldn't believe any 'spy' related information unless it's backed up with confirmed evidence and steps to reproduce to see for yourself.
It really doesn't make sense that they make screenshots because they don't really need to do so. They can see what you're doing just from a simple .log file. I'm considering reverting to Windows 7 until the privacy stuff is checked in detail.
Thank you OP and @Yen... Now a day with all these high-tech it's scary to install or use anything esp when "I" or anyone does not read the fine print. Lucky i'm in here or else i'm thinking of install win10, now no way am i gonna install it. Question: what about other OS like Apple OS, Linux, do they collect our daily personal data like Win10? This is scary when i do banking online almost every day.
@catdog215: In all fairness, every OS and computer collects a certain amount of personal data. Some you don't mind, other things you'd like to shut off. As a tech user, you are expected to conduct a certain amount of "due diligence" with respect to your device / OS. Not everybody has the capability to do that kind of research. What we're trying to do is keep everyone as informed as possible. We try to assess any risk and post information about it at MDL. We also try to dispel any myths, as they only cloud the waters and instill a sense of false confidence. I urge you to read, research, and come to your own determinations as to what is best for you. Of course, We invite you to post any questions that you might have with regard to privacy concerns in this thread. Every question is valid; The "stupid" question is the question that is not asked.
At the OS level, the most private IMO is going to be a BSD distro. OS X I have no experience with to speak of. Windows is now junk, Linux IMO is on the way to being junk. BUT there are some Linux distros around still that I consider "safe" to use. With that being said, no OS is completely safe at the user level. things like browsing habits, installed programs, social media programs are very privacy invasive. A lot of "free" programs come with installers for other somewhat shady programs, but I have found that if you are not connected to the Internet while installing the program that you want the extra installers don't run. In the end, at the user level it's mostly common sense. And if you are looking to switch to a Linux or BSD distro then I would suggest that you find one that is very user friendly to begin with to learn the basics, and then start working back to a more advanced distro.
http://arstechnica.com/information-...no-plans-to-tell-us-whats-in-windows-patches/ So not only the system is full of spyware features that don't fully turn off when you stop them, not only you have to sign a service agreement that says that they could take any information they want and use it as they wish, not only you don't have control on what is installed on your system but they refuse to tell you what is being installed. This is getting a bit too ridiculous.
@mannix: So, when someone says "I have nothing to hide, so I don't care", or "this privacy stuff is bullschitt", You can tell them the truth from a first-hand perspective: Your own experiences. And there's no substitute for that. I'd like to believe that I have done -very- little to help you or anyone formulate an opinion. All I did was to set the stage for sensible dialog. I neither can nor do I want to do any more than that. This you must determine for yourself. Perhaps together, we can get Microsoft to change Windows 10, and make it a respectable OS like its' predecessors. Only time will tell. :MJ
Microsoft has filed for a Kinect-related patent, and it’s a doozy of an application. The abstract describes a camera-based system that would monitor the number of viewers in a room and check to see if the number of occupants exceeded a certain threshold set by the content provider. If there are too many warm bodies present, the device owner would be prompted to purchase a license for a greater number of viewers. No, really. It’s that blunt. From the abstract: “The users consuming the content on a display device are monitored so that if the number of user-views licensed is exceeded, remedial action may be taken. There out if control.
@odiebugs1: Although the possibility of dynamic licensing is there, There are other uses for this technology. For one thing, if a venue (bar, dance club, etc.) is overcrowded and a fire breaks out, many innocent people will be injured or possibly die. If a piece of third-party software could warn management of an overcrowding situation, they could take steps to eliminate any potential problems. Perhaps I'm being altruistic, but a technology such as what you describe could prove useful for insurance companies. :MJ
Can anyone confirm/refute this article(disclose.tv/news/a_terrifying_traffic_analysis_of_windows_10/121544)? Is there anyway to block Windows from actually sending data? other than blocking IPs on our routers etc.
@GrandGamer: The Enterprise version of Windows 10 can be locked down quite effectively. However, many people have reported problems with the Home edition of Windows 10. I think the authors' statement says it all. Take this with a grain of salt. The folks at MDL have been monitoring and watching Windows 10 since the first beta was released. When they find a legitimate issue, someone posts about it here. Usually, they post a "fix" as well. I suggest you read through the posts in the Windows 10 sub-forum. There you will find ways to block telemetry, and you will see the work of others. Above all, keep a cool head and an open mind. :MJ P.S.: Welcome to MDL.
Another member posted a question about Windows 7 and telemetry. Skaendo was nice enough to collect and post information about disabling Windows 7 telemetry in one thread. Here's the link. http://forums.mydigitallife.net/thr...om-Windows-7?p=1129219&viewfull=1#post1129219 :MJ
I have reverted back to Windows 7 until all of the privacy problems are cleared. I'm quite happy with the decision.
Here another user who is reverting back to win7. I have even decided to put linux on my 2 laptops and keep win7 only on my desktop pc. Linux is very new to me, I have started experimenting with Linux Mint, it's actually very alike windows. Perhaps in time I will also put linux on my main desktop pc. For now though win7 should do the trick. On a side note, I DID like win10 a bit (a tiny bit though) for some reasons. What I especially liked about it, is that it seems like an enhanced version of win7, instead of the path windows went with win8. My parents had a win8 notebook, despite the fact that I have been using windows since begin 1990's, I really didn't understand any of win8. What I didn't like about win10 was the fact that, again, as a user a lot has been taken out of my hands. The windows I liked the most of all times was actually the good old windows 95. It didn't have any stupid libraries, it was just one folder, windows 95, and nothing else. I ran a pc for a couple of years that had only 2 folders in total. Windows 95 folder and my personal folder. where I put my research. It was the last few years of my college time. I had the feeling that I was the boss and the pc was just a tool. Nowadays I have a feeling that the OS is the boss and I have to follow it's rules and wishes. Anyway, sorry for the rant. Still, any chance anyone will be able to create a win10 version that is blocked to do anything fishy? Like a stripped down and "closed all gaps" version? I'd like that, as the core seemed to be quite likeable.
I've completely nuked Windows 8.1 from my system and am using Linux Mint exclusively now. I just see no feasible reason to stick with Windows as an operating system when there is actually a working alternative now. I'll still stick around MDL, especially the Windows 10 section in the hope that this god awful business is sorted out and I can use Windows again. I'm so angry and disappointed and yet at the same time I didn't expect anything but contempt from Microsoft after the slap in the face they delivered with Windows 8. But this is something that has completely taken me by surprise. Luckily as a consumer I have options, and instead of saying oh well that's just how things are, there are people here and elsewhere making great efforts to change things for the better. Like many many others all over the world, I won't accept Microsofts offering and I really do hope people here and elsewhere will give operating systems like Linux Mint a fair shot.