Maybe Microsoft hasn't changed that much, but others in the industry do way worse? I remember late 90s Microsoft phones home via one web request and all hell

Maybe Microsoft hasn't changed that much, but others in the industry do way worse? I remember late 90s Microsoft phones home via one web request and all hell broke loose that they try to track everyone and take total control of everything. Then Google came along and did just that, and noone complaint because it was free (as in beer).