Windows 10 on your device
Windows 10 debuts with a lot of cool and exciting features — Cortana, Task View, Edge browser, Windows Hello, the Start menu, you name it, it probably has the best features yet.
Cortana on-screen (or your PA in disguise)
Windows Hello or as in “You are the password”
However, what’s uncool is that most of these features are violating your privacy. How?
It’s because Windows 10 doesn’t offer much privacy by default.
Why should you care about your privacy (maybe a rusted issue already) if you’d be able to use its awesomest themes you can have for your PC?
Let’s take the tour. Remember that I warned it can give you a privacy nightmare.
Default-enabled data syncing (Chrome-like)
Private data and software settings are synced to Microsoft by default.
This includes:
- Browsing history and open websites
- Apps settings
- WiFi hotspot names and passwords
Your device is by default tagged with a unique advertising ID
This serves you with personalized advertisements by third-party advertisers and ad networks.
Cortana
Cortana, the Siri-like voice (or virtual) assistant, collects any of your data
These data includes:
- Your keystrokes, searches and mic input.
- Calendar data.
- Address book/Contacts/Relationship
- Music you listen to.
- Credit Card information.
- Purchases.
- Call list
Microsoft says: Cortana needs to collect all this data in order to work with optimum results. Which is we understand, and actually cool. You can also choose whether to turn “her” off or not.
However, we say that you should be aware of the fact that there’s a lot of data being allowed to send back to MS servers. Which is not entirely cool, and sort of creepy.
Downloading Windows 10 and signing the agreement authorizes Microsoft to collect your information
The information they will collect includes
- Your identity
- Passwords
- Demographics
- Interests and habits
- Usage data
- Contacts and relationships
- Location data
- Content like emails, instant messages, caller list, audio and video recordings
Privacy Policy says your data can be shared
Yes. With or without your consent, Microsoft can share any of those data with any third party.
Our privacy matters anytime and everytime. Even if you say that you have nothing to hide, any information that other people (or corporations, in this matter) can access about you can be relatively used against you. Sometimes, it may sound preposterous, yes, but if we still argue about whether our privacy is important or not, these common arguments may have you thinking about it over and over again.
How uncool is Windows 10 for your Privacy? Check this infographic by FrootVPN.
Your Privacy Nightmare!
Ed Snowden’s famous message about the importance of privacy (photo via Twitter) (Edward Snowden is a former National Security Agency subcontractor who made headlines in 2013 when he leaked top secret information about NSA surveillance activities)
To further impose, think about what this reporter said:
Greenwald was one of the first reporters to see — and write about — the Edward Snowden files
Yet, Microsoft and Windows 10 seem to be giving us the creepy nightmare through their features violating our rights to privacy, by default.
However, the bottomline is…
Still, Windows 10 is incredibly awesome. It makes us feel more techie and at ease, both in our work and leisure activities.
If you’re really wanting that upgrade, there are ways on how we can surely make use of it without getting our privacy in the brink of disaster. These cool and simple security measures (before and during installation) are just some of the things you shouldn’t miss before getting all the fun and efficiency you want to have with Windows 10.
- Read the Privacy Policy to access and control your personal data
- Disable default data syncing, tagging, and others by changing the privacy options on setting menu especially during installation process
- Note that despite all the wonderful features of Windows 10, there are limitations when it comes to accessing the user’s personal information.
- Accessing private files and emails is a serious thing. Lots of private data can be shared to third-parties and advertisers anytime, which means you are being sold as the product when you authorize Microsoft.
Be sure to make Windows 10 respect your privacy with these tips and other security measures already given.
Source: privacytool.io, propakistani.pk, arstechnica.com
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