6 ms·

Operating system is not website. I don't want my system to be sanding any data anywhere without my knowledge. Currently operating systems are used for handling

Operating system is not website. I don't want my system to be sanding any data anywhere without my knowledge. Currently operating systems are used for handling various of very sensitive and potentially dangerous information (credit card details, bank accounts, SSNs, tax returns etc). There is tons of informations on computers that can cause a lot of problems if used by bad people. Blocking unknown and unnecessary traffic and strong encryption is our best bet against cyber criminals.

ocdtrekkie 9y ago
I keep seeing this nonsense about how operating systems and web services are different as a way of suggesting Google's behavior is okay but Microsoft's is not. Almost all of the data you deal with on your computer in the modern era eventually ends up traversing the Internet. You enter your SSNs into forms to pay bills and the like, your credit card details are entered into your browser to buy stuff online. All of this can potentially be inspected by Google if you use their platforms or services. There's really no difference here. Condemn Microsoft, condemn Google. Be upset both have defined your privacy as unimportant.
- MereInterest 9y ago
  I'm frustrated and angered at both, but I have more solutions when dealing with one than the other. If a website is tracking me, I can minimize the amount of exposure, randomize aspects of my browsing, send out false information, etc. If my operating system is spying on me, then the only thing to do is use it in a VM, or avoid using it altogether.
- oculusthrift 9y ago
  the double standard is simply better PR by one company. Not to mention half of HN either works at goog or wants to. Add in the historical hate for MS and it really starts to make sense. Apple or google could literally start forcing users to give blood samples and you wouldn't hear a peep.
  - skummetmaelk 9y ago
    But they optimize my experience for my blood type! Oh god I'm giving them ideas...
  - Can_Not 9y ago
    No it's not simply better PR. That's completely absurd. One of them is a website I optionally go-to occasionally, the other is unremovable shitware on _my personal computer_.
- 8draco8 9y ago
  It's not the same. Take for example companies that are working in PCI DSS environment (credit card companies, payment gateways etc). They handle very sensitive data on their computers, not even getting close to any Google services. Because of that lack of security in OS, Windows shouldn't be used in PCI DSS environment because user can not control where it's data is going to.

ocdtrekkie 9y ago

I keep seeing this nonsense about how operating systems and web services are different as a way of suggesting Google's behavior is okay but Microsoft's is not. Almost all of the data you deal with on your computer in the modern era eventually ends up traversing the Internet. You enter your SSNs into forms to pay bills and the like, your credit card details are entered into your browser to buy stuff online. All of this can potentially be inspected by Google if you use their platforms or services. There's really no difference here. Condemn Microsoft, condemn Google. Be upset both have defined your privacy as unimportant.

MereInterest 9y ago
I'm frustrated and angered at both, but I have more solutions when dealing with one than the other. If a website is tracking me, I can minimize the amount of exposure, randomize aspects of my browsing, send out false information, etc. If my operating system is spying on me, then the only thing to do is use it in a VM, or avoid using it altogether.
oculusthrift 9y ago
the double standard is simply better PR by one company. Not to mention half of HN either works at goog or wants to. Add in the historical hate for MS and it really starts to make sense. Apple or google could literally start forcing users to give blood samples and you wouldn't hear a peep.
- skummetmaelk 9y ago
  But they optimize my experience for my blood type! Oh god I'm giving them ideas...
- Can_Not 9y ago
  No it's not simply better PR. That's completely absurd. One of them is a website I optionally go-to occasionally, the other is unremovable shitware on _my personal computer_.
8draco8 9y ago
It's not the same. Take for example companies that are working in PCI DSS environment (credit card companies, payment gateways etc). They handle very sensitive data on their computers, not even getting close to any Google services. Because of that lack of security in OS, Windows shouldn't be used in PCI DSS environment because user can not control where it's data is going to.