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It's not opt-in, so quite likely a breach of GDPR. The telemetry in question seems to be logging what is installed, not just how the application is used. Rega
by lrpublic 6y ago
It's not opt-in, so quite likely a breach of GDPR.
The telemetry in question seems to be logging what is installed, not just how the application is used.
Regardless of consumers willingness to provide feedback it's not a reasonable choice for a large software vendor to collect data from customers computers about competitors products.
- nojito 6y agoIt’s logging what’s used so that the app can be improved to fit the use cases of its users. Of course it’s reasonable. The other choice is developing blindly or listening to the vocal minority. Both of which hurt ALL users in the end.
- lawnchair_larry 6y agoSoftware has always been developed that way and it has never been a problem. It’s only recently that developers somehow got the idea that they are entitled to perform surveillance on their customers. It’s nonsense.
- naikrovek 6y ago> Software has always been developed that way and it has never been a problem. It's always been a problem, most people just don't know that because the majority of users don't express their concerns in the way(s) that the developers are open to hearing those concerns.
- GordonS 6y agoI'd consider it reasonable if there was some way to opt out, and if they made it clear what telemetry was sent - that should be in the readme, I shouldn't have to trawl through the code to find it. Note that I'm saying this as someone that generally doesn't mind providing telemetry - but they need to be clear.
- Analemma_ 6y ago> It's not opt-in, so quite likely a breach of GDPR. This doesn't make any sense. You don't think that every single installation via the iPhone or Android App Store isn't logged and telemetrized?
- lrpublic 6y agoIn order to use those you agree to terms in advance, and agreed to data processing. That is an opt-in.
- hooooooo 6y agoIt’s really not. I develop mobile apps for clients and we collect analytics (Firebase/GAnalytics, Facebook SDK, hand rolled metrics etc) none of which is opt in. Why is Microsoft held to a different standard?
- mtbch 6y agoIgnorantia juris non excusat. You or your clients may also be in breach. MS aren't held to a different standard.
- lrpublic 6y agoWith regard to Apple or Google recording the applications users install from the store I think there is indeed an opt in. That is the comparison I was making with the new Windows package manager.
- tozeur 6y agoMicrosoft is incredibly anal about GDPR. I doubt they’re committing a violation here.
- mtbch 6y agoMicrosoft being anal about GDPR? It's under investigation with billions in GDPR fines pending. FAANG are also knowingly and willingly breaching the GDPR to this day with all sorts of products. Just try to exercise your GPDR-given rights as an EU citizen and try getting ALL of your data from e.g. Facebook. Not the subset of it that you are allowed to download, ALL of it. You'll be laughed at really, really hard then shown the door. Don't get me started on Microsoft.
- TheCoelacanth 6y agoI don't think that the fact that an anonymous person installed a particular piece of software is considered personal data under GDPR.