The EFF calls out Microsoft for disregarding user choice and privacy in Windows 10

[Exterminator]

Despite the offer for a free upgrade to Windows 10 ending almost three weeks ago, the animosity against Microsoft's operating system rages on. This time, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) called out the company for its aggressive upgrade tactics and privacy concerns.

The EFF breaks up its article into two parts, the first dealing with the upgrade tactics. It calls out the obvious with references to the Get Windows 10 app, the switch to Windows 10 being a recommended update, and of course, when Microsoft changed the Get Windows 10 app so that closing it confirmed the upgrade.

It's at this point that a reader would wonder what the point of the EFF's article is. If it's to serve as a warning to potential Windows 10 users, none of that section is relevant at all, given that all of those aggressive tactics are in the rear-view mirror. If it's a call-to-action for Microsoft, that doesn't make it more pertinent. The entire section of the article comes across as a means of setting the reader up for the next section: privacy concerns.

This is where the EFF gets a bit conspiratorial, starting off by saying the following:

The trouble with Windows 10 doesn’t end with forcing users to download the operating system. By default, Windows 10 sends an unprecedented amount of usage data back to Microsoft, and the company claims most of it is to “personalize” the software by feeding it to the OS assistant called Cortana. Here’s a non-exhaustive list of data sent back: location data, text input, voice input, touch input, webpages you visit, and telemetry data regarding your general usage of your computer, including which programs you run and for how long.

Surely, most of the data being sent back cannot be surprising, given Cortana's functionality. Anyone who has used services such as Cortana or Google Now know that they simply wouldn't be able to function without vast amounts of data about the user, and if you're not interested in that, you always have the option to turn it off.

The EFF does note that users can opt out of most of these data collection methods, but the organization takes issue with Microsoft's collection of telemetry data, which is anonymous data that is collected for the purpose of improving Windows. To be clear, this is nothing new, no matter how much urgency the EFF attempts to imply by using italics.

The organization offers the following solution:

Microsoft should come clean with its user community. The company needs to acknowledge its missteps and offer real, meaningful opt-outs to the users who want them, preferably in a single unified screen. It also needs to be straightforward in separating security updates from operating system upgrades going forward, and not try to bypass user choice and privacy expectations.

Otherwise it will face backlash in the form of individual lawsuits, state attorney general investigations, and government investigations.

We at EFF have heard from many users who have asked us to take action, and we urge Microsoft to listen to these concerns and incorporate this feedback into the next release of its operating system. Otherwise, Microsoft may find that it has inadvertently discovered just how far it can push its users before they abandon a once-trusted company for a better, more privacy-protective solution.

To be more accurate, the many users that have asked the EFF to take action stand at a grand total of 5,994. The statement refers to a Change.org petition, which you can sign as well if you agree with it.

The fact is that services such as Cortana are meant to enhance the user experience. As for telemetry data, there will always be those who assume that Microsoft is spying on them. After all, Windows is not, nor has it ever been an open-source system. As long as it's sending back data, there will be those that wonder what that data is.

 

[Lucent Warrior]

Microsoft should come clean with its user community. The company needs to acknowledge its missteps and offer real, meaningful opt-outs to the users who want them, preferably in a single unified screen. It also needs to be straightforward in separating security updates from operating system upgrades going forward, and not try to bypass user choice and privacy expectations.

This right here says it all, they should enable some sort of opt out instead of removing users choices.

 

[DJ Panda]

I am happy upgrading to Windows 10. The "privacy" scare isn't there for me. If you didn't like the choice to upgrading which you had. You could always back right into the previous OS if you wanted.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

I am happy upgrading to Windows 10. The "privacy" scare isn't there for me. If you didn't like the choice to upgrading which you had. You could always back right into the previous OS if you wanted.

I think for me, maybe for more than me, It's not so much the privacy issue my friend, it has more to do with Microsoft's underhanded approach.
There was a point where MS was a much beloved OS and as the years rolled on MS did so much to destroy that "beloved Image". many users, me included
have watched over the years as it seems MS did all it could to capitalize on the trend of saying screw the masses and loyal users, lets do and implement
what "We" want and think is best, MS started realizing the exodus from windows and the amount of upset users, the Insider Program was a way for MS to
try and show it could connect and listen to its users, but in my opinion it was too little too late. Now you have the underhanded approach to the upgrading
and MS is back at it and undoing what little progress it had made in reconnecting to its user base. I just don't get it.
I promise you, If right now, a viable alternative to Windows popped up on the market MS stocks for the public sector would plummet like a Iron bird.
What I mean by viable is an alternative as easy to use, updated regularly ect. Linux is close very close and gaining ground at a rapid rate.

 

[Lucent Warrior]

I am happy upgrading to Windows 10. The "privacy" scare isn't there for me. If you didn't like the choice to upgrading which you had. You could always back right into the previous OS if you wanted.

Privacy scare is not there for me as well, but i do not like or condone forced updates. Having to find workarounds to install drivers because they are forced with updates with no choice to disable this, is beyond not smart. It is the biggest complaint i have heard so far, things like my system upgraded to windows 10 now my sound does not work, and that user has no idea that even when they do find the correct driver "yes MS is bad at installing older generic drivers", that they may have to disconnect from the internet, to uninstall the previous driver and install the new one before connecting again. It is the forced, no choice approach, that many like myself are not cool with. Take this and like attitude, does not sit well with me.

 

[Quent]

I think Microsoft has lost the trust of many users and potential consumers. They took a huge step back with Windows 10. I use many of their products, but my relationship got worst.

 

[antreas]

Well Microsoft lost me i switch to linux and i am happier than ever! elementary os is much better than that buggy windows!