Cornell Finch

Vista Privacy

Following discussions over at the Mini Club Forum I did some investigating into Microsoft’s privacy policies on Vista.

The conversation started with a member asking what people think of Vista. I can’t give an opinion as I am too poor to afford either the hardware to run it, or the software itself.

Daze made the initial statement about Microsoft’s data collection policies in Vista:

I’ve heard with Vista that it does these random “checks” for non-Microsoft software to make sure they are legit. Of course, while doing these checks, MS are free to download any information they want from the PC, as per their privacy policy written in the small print on the box! Also, if MS find’s a specific bit of software which they see as competition to their OS and company (Firefox, Google, Open Office, etc?), then they have the ability to disable the user from using it.

My immdediate response was of scorn as that collection policy would leave MS open to more lawsuits than Anna-Nicole Smith’s paternity casesThanks for the simile Pete!. Instead of just wittering, I got onto the privacy page at Microsoft. From that page, a couple of key points.

Activation

Information collected, processed, or transmitted
During activation of this software, product key information is sent to Microsoft along with a hardware hash, which is a non-unique number generated from the computer’s hardware configuration. The hardware hash does not represent any personal information or information about the software. The hardware hash cannot be used to determine the make or model of the computer and it cannot be backward calculated to determine any additional information about your computer. Along with standard computer information, some additional language settings are collected.

Audit

Auditing allows an administrator to configure Windows to record operating system activity in a security log, which can be accessed using the Event Viewer and other programs. This log can help an administrator detect unauthorized access to the computer or resources on the computer, and to troubleshoot problems.

When they say “administrator”, I believe they are talking about a corporate administrator in a company rather than Microsoft themselves.

Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)

If you choose to participate, basic information about your computer and how you use Windows Vista is collected in CEIP reports. Some limited information about the software you run on Windows Vista might also be collected to help improve how our products interact with that software. These reports are sent to Microsoft, where we use them to help improve the features our customers use most often and to create solutions to common problems.

“Limited information about the software you run” is the key phrase.

Microsoft uses CEIP information to improve our software. We use the GUID to distinguish how widespread the feedback we receive is and how to prioritize it. For example, the GUID allows Microsoft to distinguish between one customer experiencing a problem one hundred times and other customers experiencing the same problem once. Microsoft does not use the information collected by CEIP reports to identify you or contact you. Although the Internet Protocol (IP) address through which you access the Internet is sent to Microsoft with each CEIP report, Microsoft does not use it to identify you or contact you.

Read that last line again.

Now, I understand that we only have Microsoft’s word for this and many people don’t trust MS at all. As far as I know though, this policy hasn’t changed since XP and most people I know (that aren’t Apple Fanboys) use XP without any quibble.

I can find nothing about disabling competitors software, but then, they wouldn’t advertise that would they!

Essentially, if you’re that paranoid about Microsoft’s policies, the answer is easy. Don’t use their products. What options are you left with though?

Linux

For: Free (I like free!), well supported by the communities.

Against:

Many hardware manufacturers don’t provide linux drivers.
Lots of configurations to be done when trying to play a DVD or listen to an MP3.
Fanboys.

I used linux for a while (Ubuntu and Suse) on a spare PC and gave up on both as neither would recognise my wireless card.

Apple Products

For: Well supported. Reliable. Powerful.
Against: Expensive. Not so much software developed. Lack of gaming compatibility. Fanboys.

Yes, I know Windows has its fanboys too and no, I’m not one! I do however rely on Microsoft products to earn my living. Without them I would be out of work.