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Microsoft Admits XP Media Player Spies on Users | |
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| Time: 06:29 EST/11:29 GMT | News Source: NewsFactor | Posted By: Byron Hinson | ||
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Microsoft has confirmed that the Windows XP version of its Windows Media Player is programmed to track which CDs users listen to and which DVDs they watch. The company also has altered its privacy statement to admit that its player software tracks DVD content, which was not previously mentioned. However, the company downplayed privacy concerns. For example, Microsoft disputed claims by snooping software watchdog Richard Smith that Windows Media Player 8, which comes bundled with Windows XP, cannot be turned off and poses a threat to privacy because of its tracking capabilities. Privacy advocates said the media player's capabilities fly in the face of Microsoft's "trustworthy computing" initiative, a new dedication to security and privacy that the company announced last month. | ||
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| #1 By 61 (65.32.169.133) at 2/23/2002 8:48:47 AM |
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#1, you couldn't get it to boot back up because the Duron has a clock lock on it, you stupid moron.
I'm sorry to say, but people like you have an incredibly close-minded and stubborn attitude that think you are somehow better than everyone else are getting old. Ever try getting a life? |
| #2 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 2/23/2002 1:31:11 PM |
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Microsoft caches the DVD information on your computer as you play stuff. Sort of like CDDB.
That's all this is. |
| #3 By 61 (65.32.169.133) at 2/23/2002 3:24:26 PM |
| ajm: Go to research.microsoft.com and in the User Interface section, they have a VUI (vocal user interface)... it looks kinda cheesy now, but it still works pretty well from what the movie looks like. |
| #4 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 2/23/2002 3:40:49 PM |
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Microsoft does happen to have one of the best records in the industry with regards to privacy.
They could track each and everything you do, yet they have not done so, nor have they ever suggested doing so. Unlike some other companies, such as Netscape... |
| #5 By 2332 (129.21.145.80) at 2/23/2002 4:17:47 PM |
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#16 - Let's not pretend that Microsoft is just being benevolent.
The *only* reason they don't track everything the user does is because that might piss off enough people to start killing market share. Microsoft didn't become one of the largest companies in the world by being stupid. |
| #6 By 143 (172.148.191.113) at 2/23/2002 4:27:24 PM |
| If Microsoft does it you can bet the bank that Sun and Oracle does it too . |
| #7 By 1845 (12.254.231.11) at 2/23/2002 6:34:43 PM |
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And where does it store this "secret" information #19? Didn't you know that ANY interaction is stored in your computer's memory (at least for a few miliseconds)?
Didn't real do something very similar to what Microsoft has done with Media Player 8 a little while back? Does anybody really think that a major software developer doesn't have an interest in tracking a user's interaction with their systems? Why don't we let every company interested in us have all the marketing info they want about us? I would much rather go to msnbc.com and have it show me the tech and business sections because it knows I like them than showing me Olympic headlines. Maybe I wouldn't mind popup ads, if they were for products I actually might consider buying. Consumers are so afraid that "big business" will find out what they like, that they get up in arms over privacy. If it meant that I would only receive ads and offers for products that interest me, I think I might gladly give out my buying habits. While we are on the conspiracy theory subject...Did you know the your credit card company has a record of every transaction you make with your credit card? Doesn't that just scare the hell out of you? Privacy in the modern world is a myth. Just think about what information is available if someone knows your social security number. Then think about how many people know your social security number. |
| #8 By 61 (65.32.169.133) at 2/23/2002 10:24:51 PM |
| I REALY dislike extremists, one might even say they are clinically insane. |
| #9 By 1124 (66.66.102.21) at 2/23/2002 10:36:31 PM |
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Please read the real story
http://www.computerbytesman.com/privacy/wmp8response.htm Umm #22, they did admit to it, the just never listed the dvd stuff in the privacy document. |
| #10 By 135 (208.50.201.48) at 2/24/2002 3:10:20 PM |
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RMD - Oh, I totally agree. As you said Microsoft isn't stupid, and they aren't going to do this because they know customers will balk.
But my point is that hasn't stopped other companies from implementing tracking. But I just find it odd how these companies deflect the criticism from themselves and point the blame at Microsoft. "They made us do it! boo hoo!" Go do a search on Netscape and the tracking of web visits, downloads, etc. They were trying to track every single page people would go to and download files and so forth to collect statistics. I can't remember if this was turned off or not, but it received very little publicity when it was first introduced. |
| #11 By 1124 (165.170.128.65) at 2/25/2002 9:08:39 AM |
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I still say just read the actual story:
http://www.computerbytesman.com/privacy/wmp8response.htm |
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