Lawsuit says Microsoft tracks customers without consent
11 replies, posted
[quote=Reuters]
(Reuters) - Microsoft allegedly tracks the location of its mobile customers even after users request that tracking software be turned off, according to a new lawsuit.
The proposed class action, filed in a Seattle federal court on Wednesday, says Microsoft intentionally designed camera software on the Windows Phone 7 operating system to ignore customer requests that they not be tracked.
A Microsoft representative could not immediately be reached for comment.
The lawsuit comes after concerns surfaced earlier this year that Apple's iPhones collected location data and stored it for up to a year, even when location software was supposedly turned off. Apple issued a patch to fix the problem.
However, the revelation prompted renewed scrutiny of the nexus between location and privacy. At a hearing in May, U.S. lawmakers accused the tech industry of exploiting location data for marketing purposes -- a potentially multibillion-dollar industry -- without getting proper consent from millions of Americans.
The lawsuit against Microsoft cites a letter the company sent to Congress, in which Microsoft said it only collects geolocation data with the express consent of the user.
"Microsoft's representations to Congress were false," the lawsuit says.
The litigation, brought on behalf of a Windows Phone 7 user, claims Microsoft transmits data -- including approximate latitude and longitude coordinates of the user's device -- while the camera application is activated. It seeks an injunction and punitive damages, among other remedies.
The case in U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington is Rebecca Cousineau, individually on her own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated v. Microsoft Corp., 11-cv-1438.
[/quote]
[url]http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/31/us-microsoft-lawsuit-idUSTRE77U6BT20110831[/url]
So this is about the EXIF data in taken pictures, I take it? This seems like an easy thing to patch away.
Seeing how Google and Apple are both tracking their users in various ways, I am honestly not suprised to know that MS is doing the same.
I've never really had a problem with it. If I'm on the run or Google is hunting me down, I'm hardly going to keep my phone on me anyway.
[QUOTE=B!N4RY;32071516]Seeing how Google and Apple are both tracking their users in various ways, I am honestly not suprised to know that MS is doing the same.[/QUOTE]
I'm also surprised how the fuck am I not paranoid yet.
I mean it's like you're being watched (not directly) everywhere. Even at your own home.
Microsoft is new Skynet.
Meanwhile while people are complaining about Origin's EULA.
Honestly, who the heck cares if they track your position? That data would only be dangerous if you were, say, an international criminal running away from arrest or someone who's cheating on his wife. But anyway the data seems to be in your phone at all times so there's even less use.
[QUOTE=TerabyteS_;32071936]But anyway the data seems to be in your phone at all times so there's even less use.[/QUOTE]
That's where you're wrong. The data is constantly broadcasted to the companies periodically, as well as saving the logged data locally.
Howcome when the subject comes to Governments tracking people, everyone flips out, but if it's a Corporation, it's no big deal?
I generally don't like Microsoft for many reasons, but to be fair, it appears that nearly every corporation which handles such data usually collects them in some way. And it's not that much difference if it is written in some hidden eula or not.
Generally, *puts on tinfoil hat*, I would watch out which data I entrust any online service with.
[QUOTE=Ringo_Satu;32071698]I'm also surprised how the fuck am I not paranoid yet.
I mean it's like you're being watched (not directly) everywhere. Even at your own home.[/QUOTE]
Illuminati.
[editline]2nd September 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=ZeroS;32071865]Meanwhile while people are complaining about Origin's EULA.[/QUOTE]
Because it's just as bad. Just because there's a bigger evil doesn't mean we should ignore the lesser.
[editline]2nd September 2011[/editline]
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;32072131]Howcome when the subject comes to Governments tracking people, everyone flips out, but if it's a Corporation, it's no big deal?[/QUOTE]
Wrong, look at the backlash to Origin.
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.