Windows 10 Technical Preview criticised for collecting data

[sincity]

What looks like a storm in a teacup has been spurned after a number of news outlets reported that Microsoft's latest operating system collects user data; a lot of user data and not always from the sources you'd expect.

Windows 10 Technical Preview has built-in technology that allows Microsoft to capture minute details of a user session, including keystrokes and even voice. While capturing data is nothing new, the extent to which that is done could be seen as worrying.

• What to expect from Windows 10?

The "terms of use" page of the Windows Insider Program mentions that the Cupertino-based company "automatically collect and transmit data to Microsoft and its partners regarding activities on your registered devices, including personal information".

However, giving up on Windows 10 completely because of its perceived data logging capabilities would be a bit of a rash decision. Most, if not all, recent operating systems (both desktop and mobile) transmit some sort of data - almost always anonymised - to their respective owners for a number of reasons.

One of the rumoured features of Windows 10 was that they'd be able to see what's happening in near real-time on users' machines via a telemetry system called Asimov, akin to an evolved RDC (remote desktop connection) solution.

• Check out our Windows 10 hands-on here

[Heretic121]

However, giving up on Windows 10 completely because of its perceived data logging capabilities would be a bit of a rash decision.

...

One of the rumoured features of Windows 10 was that they'd be able to see what's happening in near real-time on users' machines via a telemetry system called Asimov, akin to an evolved RDC (remote desktop connection) solution.

Giving up an operating system that gives random strangers the ability to see exactly what you're doing, let alone in real time, is in no way a rash decision. Also having "data logging capabilities" in that OS is not much of a long stretch, if the aforementioned system will genuinely come to the OS.

[putts]

It's a beta. They want all information possible to improve and debug it.

The average person won't even bother to download the beta.

Final release will NOT have it.

[Heretic121]

It's a beta. They want all information possible to improve and debug it.

The average person won't even bother to download the beta.

Final release will NOT have it.

 

No, I understand the idea behind collecting as much data as possible about who's using the OS, and for what. Although I still can't shake the feeling that it's insanely creepy.

My primary issue is with the rumoured "Asimov" system. I know it's still only a rumour, but if it was to be true then it would be a major contributing factor into my decision as to whether I would bother upgrading to it.