4 ms·

Microsoft users are now the product being sold

• lIl-IIIl 10mo ago
  Sold to whom? I understand when people use that phrase about advertising, but I don't see this here.
  • setopt 10mo ago
    Doesn’t Windows show ads in the start menu these days?
  • qwertox 10mo ago
    Indirectly via advertising, this is data gathering for profile building.
  • stevenjgarner 10mo ago
    Windows 11 has transitioned from a standalone tool into a digital storefront that prioritizes recurring revenue through aggressive prompts for Microsoft 365 and OneDrive subscriptions. By mandating cloud-based Microsoft Accounts, the OS effectively anchors your identity to a marketing ID, allowing the company to track behavior and monetize your data. The interface now functions as an advertising platform, injecting "recommended" apps and sponsored content directly into the Start menu and search results. Ultimately, this shift means users are no longer just customers of a product, but recurring assets whose attention and telemetry are sold to sustain Microsoft’s ecosystem and maximize shareholder value.