Microsoft stil not sorry about illicit test program
Microsoft still is not apologizing for pushing people into unwittingly joining a test program for their beta version of WGA. They have no intention of backing out the anti-piracy tool that was stealthily installed on millions of machines in the guise of a high priority update. The unfinished tool still sends home to Microsoft on a regular basis, and still cannot be removed once installed.
At the same time… Microsoft is saying that they won’t put their Vista beta2 on BitTorrent due to “legal and privacy issues”
So… someone check my logic here. We have a company that installs a piece of software that:
- Is called an “update", but is actually a beta version of an unrequested tool. Basically, it is installed under false pretenses
- Once installed, compiles information about the system it runs on
- Regularly sends its findings to a central server
- Cannot be uninstalled
Isn’t this software called Spyware by definition? Since when does spyware have fewer “legal and privacy issues” than BitTorrent?
I think someone at Microsoft needs serious professional help if they believe that WGA and the ludicrous press releases associated with it are even remotely credible. Most users would be much happier if you were honest about what WGA is… a dishonestly veiled attempt to squeeze more money out of a market that you monopolize.
Update:
I ran across this recent Microsoft justification of WGA. I have to say that it made me even angrier. It claims that no info is sent to Microsoft after the initial validation, and claims that their failure to mention the periodic download of a settings file is an “oversight". If it really was an “oversight", then they would make a settings file available that would shut the whole thing off. Better yet, make a removal tool available. Until those are available, I’m afraid that all evidence says that they are liars.
I’ve never used the word “liars” in print before, and it will probably call forth a legion of Redmond lawyers. However, I think that it is justified in this case. Microsoft has broken a major trust. They have installed a piece of software under false pretenses, it is entirely for their own benefit, and they refuse to allow it to be removed. I fail to see any “genuine advantage” at all.
It looks like I’m not the only one expressing an opinion. Check out this post on Groklaw.
