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Lawyers Read Windows 10 License Agreement and Clutch Head
While the most frivolous Microsoft fans install Windows 10 with puppy delight, their wiser colleagues are carefully studying the text of the license agreement. Recall that the introductory version of Windows 10 contained many unacceptable conditions for a sane person. Did these items remain in the final version?
Problem #1: Microsoft collects and stores the user’s history of web pages visited, passwords to sites, names of access points to which the user has connected, and passwords to them. The problem is that the data is tied to a Microsoft account, the password to which can be hacked or stolen. In this case, the attacker will be able to find out about his victim literally everything. In addition, US law requires IT companies to disclose information about their customers at the request of the court and intelligence services. It turns out that the user actually collects and sends a dossier that can be used against him.
Of course, data synchronization can (and should) be turned off. Microsoft decided to enable this option by default. Apparently, in the hope that most Windows 10 users are unlikely to be interested in the details of the implementation of this so-called synchronization. Problem #2: Cortana's virtual assistant, which many have already dubbed Cortana's virtual spy. Under the Windows 10 license agreement, Microsoft has the right to collect various types of user data for Cortana:
It should be noted that for Russian users, some functions will not work, including Cortana.
Problem #3: Third-party tracking of users. We already know that Windows 10 is stuffed with advertising. This explains the “generosity” of Microsoft, which decided to give Windows 10 for free. In order to inventory all consumers of advertising, they will be assigned a unique identification number (advertising ID). Advertisers will have access to this number. In other words, marketers will be able to track user behavior. Like all other “innovations” in Windows 10, tracking users by a unique number has been borrowed (see “Have you already got your inventory number from Google?”).
Don’t forget to disable advertising ID on all your Windows 10 devices!
Problem 4. The encryption key is also stored by Microsoft. This is amazing, but if you encrypted your data on your device using the regular BitLocker program, then not only you but also Microsoft will have the data access key. The Windows 10 license states that the password will be copied to OneDrive servers controlled by Microsoft. As mentioned earlier, the company will be obliged to issue this key at the request of authorized authorities, which deprives encryption in Windows 10 of any meaning.
Be sure to install a third-party encryption program that you can trust.
Problem 5. Microsoft can control your data. This is an amazing item in the Windows 10 license:
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. Personal correspondence, local files and other personal information can be disclosed not only at the request of the authorities, but simply if Microsoft believes that it is necessary to somehow protect their customers.
August 6: After lawyers, the agreement was read by fans of computer games. They found that Windows 10 will be released automatic updates that will clean the computer from unlicensed games. In addition, there is a very strange clause in the license that gives Microsoft the right to disable some unauthorized devices on your computer. It may be a computer peripheral that is not certified by Microsoft. For example, third-party controllers for Xbox.
P.S. And remember, just by changing your consciousness – together we change the world!
Source: liberatum.ru/exclusive/windows-10-license
Problem #1: Microsoft collects and stores the user’s history of web pages visited, passwords to sites, names of access points to which the user has connected, and passwords to them. The problem is that the data is tied to a Microsoft account, the password to which can be hacked or stolen. In this case, the attacker will be able to find out about his victim literally everything. In addition, US law requires IT companies to disclose information about their customers at the request of the court and intelligence services. It turns out that the user actually collects and sends a dossier that can be used against him.
Of course, data synchronization can (and should) be turned off. Microsoft decided to enable this option by default. Apparently, in the hope that most Windows 10 users are unlikely to be interested in the details of the implementation of this so-called synchronization. Problem #2: Cortana's virtual assistant, which many have already dubbed Cortana's virtual spy. Under the Windows 10 license agreement, Microsoft has the right to collect various types of user data for Cortana:
- coordinates of the user;
- fragments of postal correspondence and SMS;
- Call data: who called whom, how often.
- data on planned events from the user calendar;
- data from the contact book;
- etc.
It should be noted that for Russian users, some functions will not work, including Cortana.
Problem #3: Third-party tracking of users. We already know that Windows 10 is stuffed with advertising. This explains the “generosity” of Microsoft, which decided to give Windows 10 for free. In order to inventory all consumers of advertising, they will be assigned a unique identification number (advertising ID). Advertisers will have access to this number. In other words, marketers will be able to track user behavior. Like all other “innovations” in Windows 10, tracking users by a unique number has been borrowed (see “Have you already got your inventory number from Google?”).
Don’t forget to disable advertising ID on all your Windows 10 devices!
Problem 4. The encryption key is also stored by Microsoft. This is amazing, but if you encrypted your data on your device using the regular BitLocker program, then not only you but also Microsoft will have the data access key. The Windows 10 license states that the password will be copied to OneDrive servers controlled by Microsoft. As mentioned earlier, the company will be obliged to issue this key at the request of authorized authorities, which deprives encryption in Windows 10 of any meaning.
Be sure to install a third-party encryption program that you can trust.
Problem 5. Microsoft can control your data. This is an amazing item in the Windows 10 license:
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. Personal correspondence, local files and other personal information can be disclosed not only at the request of the authorities, but simply if Microsoft believes that it is necessary to somehow protect their customers.
August 6: After lawyers, the agreement was read by fans of computer games. They found that Windows 10 will be released automatic updates that will clean the computer from unlicensed games. In addition, there is a very strange clause in the license that gives Microsoft the right to disable some unauthorized devices on your computer. It may be a computer peripheral that is not certified by Microsoft. For example, third-party controllers for Xbox.
P.S. And remember, just by changing your consciousness – together we change the world!
Source: liberatum.ru/exclusive/windows-10-license
