16 ms·

Isn't the surveillance/telemetry problem still as much of a problem as it was on day zero? As far as I know, it hasn't been removed nor lessened. As far as I re

Isn't the surveillance/telemetry problem still as much of a problem as it was on day zero? As far as I know, it hasn't been removed nor lessened. As far as I remember, it is absolutely overreaching, collecting your name, email address, browsing history, searches, application usage and more. Microsoft also keeps a copy of your full-disk encryption key. <https://theintercept.com/2015/12/28/recently-bought-a-windows-computer-microsoft-probably-has-your-encryption-key/> https://theintercept.com/2015/12/28/recently-bought-a-window...

mehrdadn 7y ago
> As far as I know, it hasn't been removed nor lessened. IIRC they lessened it by some ε > 0 in 1803. [1] > As far as I remember, it is absolutely overreaching, collecting your name, email address, browsing history, searches, application usage and more. Some of these seem more alarming than others. Where are each of these pulled from? If you have a Microsoft account they already have your name and address. Most people use Chrome and I assume Windows isn't sending that info to Microsoft (although this does make me worry for those who use IE/Edge). Searches and application usage I haven't heard explicitly but those would worry me more. > Microsoft also keeps a copy of your full-disk encryption key. Wasn't this only when you had a Microsoft account or something? We can debate how they shove MSAs down users' throat (I want to punch my computer when they do that too), but as far as the FDE key is concerned, I feel like those who don't want this also wouldn't want to use a Microsoft account for their logins to begin with? [1] https://windowsreport.com/windows-10-v1803-privacy/ https://windowsreport.com/windows-10-v1803-privacy/
- feanaro 7y ago
  I'm not sure of the details anymore, I was going by my memory. But to respond to your overall point, there are probably hacks around each of the things I've mentioned, but the point is that I don't feel like using an OS that does these things is a reasonable alternative for me. Particularly because who knows what other kinds of aggressive changes are being concocted for the future. I try to make this point to my family and friends too and they seem to agree. Thanks for the link though, I'll take a look.
- AlphaWeaver 7y ago
  I'm almost entirely certain that the storing the Bit locker FDE key in your Microsoft account is an optional choice presented during the BitLocker setup.
  - minedwiz 7y ago
    It definitely is. It’s not even very prominent - you have to intentionally click on it.
  - peteri 7y ago
    Recently due to a firmware upgrade losing the key I had to do the disable/enable dance for Bitlocker and you need to store the key somewhere removeable (usb stick etc) which is enough of pain I just went for a Microsoft account. You can remove them easily enough from a Microsoft account.
Dirlewanger 7y ago
Yup, and all the Turn Off Telemetry toggles are all placebos. I think the only solace one can find from constant phoning home is with the LTSC version of Windows 10, but Microsoft makes it very inaccessible to a home user. There's also a few custom installers/scripts that people have written to disable the telemetry via PowerShell that are floating around, but I think their up-to-date-ness varies from author to author.

mehrdadn 7y ago

> As far as I know, it hasn't been removed nor lessened. IIRC they lessened it by some ε > 0 in 1803. [1] > As far as I remember, it is absolutely overreaching, collecting your name, email address, browsing history, searches, application usage and more. Some of these seem more alarming than others. Where are each of these pulled from? If you have a Microsoft account they already have your name and address. Most people use Chrome and I assume Windows isn't sending that info to Microsoft (although this does make me worry for those who use IE/Edge). Searches and application usage I haven't heard explicitly but those would worry me more. > Microsoft also keeps a copy of your full-disk encryption key. Wasn't this only when you had a Microsoft account or something? We can debate how they shove MSAs down users' throat (I want to punch my computer when they do that too), but as far as the FDE key is concerned, I feel like those who don't want this also wouldn't want to use a Microsoft account for their logins to begin with? [1] https://windowsreport.com/windows-10-v1803-privacy/ https://windowsreport.com/windows-10-v1803-privacy/

feanaro 7y ago
I'm not sure of the details anymore, I was going by my memory. But to respond to your overall point, there are probably hacks around each of the things I've mentioned, but the point is that I don't feel like using an OS that does these things is a reasonable alternative for me. Particularly because who knows what other kinds of aggressive changes are being concocted for the future. I try to make this point to my family and friends too and they seem to agree. Thanks for the link though, I'll take a look.
AlphaWeaver 7y ago
I'm almost entirely certain that the storing the Bit locker FDE key in your Microsoft account is an optional choice presented during the BitLocker setup.
- minedwiz 7y ago
  It definitely is. It’s not even very prominent - you have to intentionally click on it.
- peteri 7y ago
  Recently due to a firmware upgrade losing the key I had to do the disable/enable dance for Bitlocker and you need to store the key somewhere removeable (usb stick etc) which is enough of pain I just went for a Microsoft account. You can remove them easily enough from a Microsoft account.

Dirlewanger 7y ago

Yup, and all the Turn Off Telemetry toggles are all placebos. I think the only solace one can find from constant phoning home is with the LTSC version of Windows 10, but Microsoft makes it very inaccessible to a home user. There's also a few custom installers/scripts that people have written to disable the telemetry via PowerShell that are floating around, but I think their up-to-date-ness varies from author to author.