Friday, March 24th 2017
Microsoft Lifts "Spying" Components in Windows 10 for Chinese Government Version
Reports have started coming in that Microsoft has finalized its special, "non-spying" edition of Windows 10 for the Chinese government. In a joint-venture with China's own CTEC (China Electronics Technology Group), the Redmond-based company has apparently managed to deliver what they themselves thought impossible: a version of their operating system that doesn't spy on its users.
China's government previously banned Windows 8 and its derivatives, citing security concerns, and later launched an anti-monopoly probe against Microsoft. This meant that Microsoft was largely left out of China's huge state-backed enterprises in China - and one can imagine how lucrative a market this one is. Microsoft surely wouldn't be willing to allow such a chance of revenue to just jostle over to the Linux field, following the Chinese government's attempts to craft a custom OS (Kylin, which failed) and recent efforts with new NeoKylin initiative. Microsoft isn't willing to relent so as to what and how were features cut from their Windows 10 version that leads it to continue normal functions even without the heavily baked-in, essential, flaunted telemetry features. What is true, though, is that the company did say telemetry and data collection was so deeply embedded on their operating system that removing them would break it at a fundamental level which is, apparently, only the case if you don't have the money (or potential revenue) to pony up for a custom edition.
Source:
The Verge
China's government previously banned Windows 8 and its derivatives, citing security concerns, and later launched an anti-monopoly probe against Microsoft. This meant that Microsoft was largely left out of China's huge state-backed enterprises in China - and one can imagine how lucrative a market this one is. Microsoft surely wouldn't be willing to allow such a chance of revenue to just jostle over to the Linux field, following the Chinese government's attempts to craft a custom OS (Kylin, which failed) and recent efforts with new NeoKylin initiative. Microsoft isn't willing to relent so as to what and how were features cut from their Windows 10 version that leads it to continue normal functions even without the heavily baked-in, essential, flaunted telemetry features. What is true, though, is that the company did say telemetry and data collection was so deeply embedded on their operating system that removing them would break it at a fundamental level which is, apparently, only the case if you don't have the money (or potential revenue) to pony up for a custom edition.
35 Comments on Microsoft Lifts "Spying" Components in Windows 10 for Chinese Government Version
People upset about MS need to chill out. If you don't like it, slide the little bar left. Slide that bar left with as much emotion as you feel necessary. Two years ago I typed "I buy poop for $5000" into Windows 10. So far not one company or person has contacted me to sell me said poop.
MS really was trying to blow smoke up everyone's hind ends there, wern't they? An OS that cant survive without telemetry is like saying a car cant run without an air conditioner.
Still waiting for the EU to stop tearing itself apart and make MS bake out a "non-spying" Windows 10 N.As an engineer, I have to admit that I sympathize with Microsoft on the the necessity of data on making and maintaining a well performing system. I completely oppose their forceful approach with it (that is, not having an opt-out option for non-enterprise users. I can rationalize it being on by default though), and I wouldn't say that it is impossible to work without it, but I wouldn't even dream about saying that it wouldn't make a nigh and day difference in the product!
Chinese goverment, basicly succeeds into delivery of an OS that does not collect or gather personal / private data or usage statistics...
Why the hell do WE have such a weak goverment that both EU and US are not able to demand the very same. We consumers accept it all.... free comes with a f'ing price.
And besides Baidu is the BigBrother of the Chinese Gov. So is a win-win. ;)
Was wondering this when the first artiest came up, what exactly it was...