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It's puzzling to me that third-party apps doing the same thing were shared on HN just months ago and highly upvoted (500 points, for a submission about an app‽)

It's puzzling to me that third-party apps doing the same thing were shared on HN just months ago and highly upvoted (500 points, for a submission about an app‽), but now Microsoft does it and the frantic media backlash takes over. It's a textbook moral panic. Amplified by media cynicism about tech, and by Windows's awful brand perception.

loneboat 2y ago
I think the main concern over this is that it's baked into the OS. That's a significant difference from "Here's a 3rd party app you can install if you want this functionality." Especially from an OS vendor who (a) dominates the desktop market, and (b) absolutely loves to hide or obfuscate the ability to disable such features (which are often enabled by default).
- concinds 2y ago
  It's part of the Setup screen, where it can be enabled or disabled. Apparently the checkbox is checked by default, but I think most users would find it useful and would find the "security concerns" trivial
  - klabb3 2y ago
    The people who understand what it does and how it works are a minority. People will accept Microsoft’s recommended settings, often without even reading it. Enabling it by default is beyond irresponsible. Especially on desktops that are very commonly shared between household members. And so many other reasons. > I think most users would find it useful For what? Most users won’t even remember that it’s enabled. This already exists as a niche product for specific tasks, it’s by no means a universally useful thing. Especially not at 25GB of disk usage and god knows what CPU/GPU/RAM.
  - skydhash 2y ago
    Most people don't understand how technology can destroy their lives until they are faced with the consequences. It's all in the name of convenience. This is why we have regulations, so that people do not pray on unsuspecting and trustful people.
EasyMark 2y ago
Was the 3rd party app installed unbeknownst to users and running without their consent (other than hidden in 50 screen fulls of EULA in small text)? That's the big difference. It was installed by someone who needed/wanted to use it.

loneboat 2y ago

I think the main concern over this is that it's baked into the OS. That's a significant difference from "Here's a 3rd party app you can install if you want this functionality." Especially from an OS vendor who (a) dominates the desktop market, and (b) absolutely loves to hide or obfuscate the ability to disable such features (which are often enabled by default).

concinds 2y ago
It's part of the Setup screen, where it can be enabled or disabled. Apparently the checkbox is checked by default, but I think most users would find it useful and would find the "security concerns" trivial
- klabb3 2y ago
  The people who understand what it does and how it works are a minority. People will accept Microsoft’s recommended settings, often without even reading it. Enabling it by default is beyond irresponsible. Especially on desktops that are very commonly shared between household members. And so many other reasons. > I think most users would find it useful For what? Most users won’t even remember that it’s enabled. This already exists as a niche product for specific tasks, it’s by no means a universally useful thing. Especially not at 25GB of disk usage and god knows what CPU/GPU/RAM.
- skydhash 2y ago
  Most people don't understand how technology can destroy their lives until they are faced with the consequences. It's all in the name of convenience. This is why we have regulations, so that people do not pray on unsuspecting and trustful people.

EasyMark 2y ago

Was the 3rd party app installed unbeknownst to users and running without their consent (other than hidden in 50 screen fulls of EULA in small text)? That's the big difference. It was installed by someone who needed/wanted to use it.