Windows 8 Tells Microsoft About Everything You Install

[wraggster]

According to Nadim Kobeissi, Windows 8 is configured by default (http://log.nadim.cc/?p=78) (using a new featured called Windows SmartScreen (http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie/archive/2011/03/22/smartscreen-174-application-reputation-building-reputation.aspx)) to immediately tell Microsoft about every app you download and install. This is a very serious privacy problem, specifically because Microsoft is the central point of authority and data collection/retention here and therefore becomes vulnerable to being served judicial subpoenas or National Security Letters intended to monitor targeted users. This situation is exacerbated when Windows 8 is deployed in countries experiencing political turmoil or repressive political situations."While SmartScreen is enabled by default, it's possible for users to turn it off (http://www.howtogeek.com/75356/how-to-turn-off-or-disable-the-smartscreen-filter-in-windows-8/). Also, it's worth noting that Microsoft is hardly alone in this regard, given the rise of app stores over the past several year. (Not that it exculpates this behavior.)

http://yro.slashdot.org/story/12/08/24/1512224/windows-8-tells-microsoft-about-everything-you-install