Revealed! Crucial detail that Windows 10 privacy critics are missing

First time posting here, hope I'm in the right place [I clicked on (+ Reply to Thread)]...

I dunno, this whole privacy thing is somewhat confusing on many fronts. I think it just rubs people the wrong way. It's also interesting that people feel the need to go on the defensive on both sides of the issue; to either express concern about telemetry collection practices, or to defend such practices.

One wonders why Microsoft would put itself into a position where the users of it's product are engaging in such a debate... Negative publicity? The old "any publicity is good publicity" marketing strategy whereby it's fine to be loved, but it's also fine to "love to be hated", as both increase public visibility AND the bottom line. Microsoft, the giant we love to hate. You can go a long way, as a company or a mega-corporation, if you can get under people's skin in a personal way... Whether it's right, wrong, up, down or sideways, as long as people are talking about you, the bottom line will reflect it. That's why I always find these sort of discussions interesting. How people personalize the issue. How passionate and defensive their positions can become! Stand back for a moment. Don't lose sight of the fact that we are talking about a corporation here! Somewhere, deep in the coffers of the giant we call Microsoft, there must be a group of middle aged balding men who are gleefully cheering; "Yes, YES! Make it personal, defend us or hate us, but do so with passion!... That will be $59.95 for the experience, thank you."

You don't get really rich by actually caring a hoot about anybody. I don't for a second think Microsoft cares about me one iota. I do believe they are interested in getting rich though... You can bank on it.

Which will help Microsoft's bottom line the most?
A) Collecting telemetry data to actually make a better operating system, or, as the marketing team likes to say "A better Windows Experience"... Or
B) Getting every tech journalist and user forum humming about those very same telemetry data collection practices, keeping the word "Microsoft" in a dozen headlines a day, from minor to major media outlets like tenforums (relatively minor) to the New York Times (pretty major)?

Hmmm.

Back to my opening thought. I think all the data collection just rubs folks the wrong way. In the small part of the globe I occupy, even if a dog is snooping around your trash, most people will go ahead an throw a rock in its general direction. Encourage the pooch to move along. It may be just garbage, but it's MY garbage, and who knows what kind of mess that dog is gonna make of it.

Is Microsoft a dog? Don't be a dog. Don't sniff around other people's trash.

Regards from the bayou,
Mr. Joey

dencal said:

Kari.
Know and understand I have enormous respect for both your knowledge and helpfulness as I am sure do most of our members.

JDobbsy1987 said:

Kari is a star performer

Kari said:

Thanks guys, Not the reaction I was expecting for me once again revealing what an MS & Windows fan boy I am :)

My Feelings exactly, on how important you are to US!! You have been of great help to many, many members on here Sir!!! Nothing but respect for you and all your hard work!!! Keep up your excellent work Kari!!!!
Mike....

dencal said:

Victek...your quote?...but is there some tangible way that sharing information with Microsoft via Windows 10 actually benefits the user?

Access to the Cloud...All your computers synchronised, saving space on your HD or SSD, your personal files and details are never lost even with total computer failure, access to the cloud on any computer when perhaps visiting relatives on the other side of the world, and while there taking hundreds of photos which can then be safely stored.

Cortana for local services, Maps for directions, Weather, all if you give your location.

All your examples have one thing in common. We can choose to use these features or not. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not against MS collecting data. On my Insider install I use the default setting because I want to participate in helping MS improve Win 10. On my RTM install I would just like to have more control of what info they do collect.

Why doesn't one of the zdnet or forbes or a trusted 3rd party like EFF or ACLU do a test with law enforcement to see if Microsoft could really identify the person using the key words when searching with cortana and also typing in a browser?

BunnyJ said:

Because, it would get in the way of a good "story".

Could be made into a good movie. :)

Kari said:

I have never seen or heard a single piece of evidence showing that the usage statistics and data my or anyone else's machines send to MS has caused any harm or issues to anyone. Until clear proof of the opposite is shown I will continue to believe this and trust Microsoft.

You do that. But until you can examine Windows 10 source code and can actually verify what you believe you are sending vs what Microsoft is really collecting - this entire issue remains a black hole.

Me - I believe MS is collecting a whole lotta stuff that they will never reveal to the public. Things that increase marketing. Things that tell them what you are downloading (or uploading). Or sharing. Or not sharing. Or where you are going on the net etc etc.

Bottom line - as a huge public entity - what exactly do you think Microsoft is going to say when pressed about what they are really doing here? Do you actually believe they will tell the public everything? Or will they stick out a press release full of app tracking stats and meaningless crap like that.

They can (and will) sugar coat this anyway they want - but there is almost a guarantee they will never reveal the full story about what's really being collected by Windows 10. (or what that data is really being used for).

So if you trust them - good on ya. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this issue.

Sonic.