Recent Updates Escalate Data Collection in Windows 7 and 8.1

[Batu69]

Much has been written about the data collection and privacy concerns in Windows 10. Now, reports are circulating about 4 recent KB updates which purportedly escalate data collection in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, presumably to similar levels of those in Windows 10 – view more information regarding these updates at gHacks here: Microsoft intensifies data collection on Windows 7 and 8 systems.

Windows 10 Privacy

While I can understand and appreciate people’s concerns over privacy issues, I believe that users are generally overreacting to a lot of FUD (Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt) that has been written about Microsoft’s data collection policies. If you want to view a level-headed and factual account of this policy in Windows 10, minus all the FUD, I suggest you read this report from The Verge: Windows, Privacy, and You.

I might add that all this is not new; similar concerns were raised way back when Vista was released: 20+ Windows Vista Features and Services Harvest User Data for Microsoft. Also, try performing a clean install of Windows 8.1 – during the installation process you’ll see a list of data collection options very similar to those under the Privacy settings in Windows 10. Sure, these options have been widened somewhat in Windows 10 but that is only down to enhancements in technology such as Cortana and overall synchronization across multiple devices.

Recent Windows 7/8.1 Updates & Privacy

Far be it from me to contradict Martin Brinkmann over at gHacks, for whom I have the utmost respect. However, I would suggest being cautious about uninstalling the recent updates mentioned.

Firstly; from information I have gleaned thus far, these updates are associated with Microsoft’s ‘Customer Experience Improvement Program’ which only comes into play when that service is specifically switched on – my understanding is, it is opt-in by default. You can easily check to see if CEIP is switched on or not, and just as easily opt-out if necessary – here’s how:

Start>ControlPanel>Action Center

Secondly; uninstalling these Windows updates (and hiding them) may well end up being problematic in the long run. A substantial number of core system files are modified by these updates and, if you uninstall the updates, it could cause future successive important updates to the same files to fail because they will assume these changes are in place when, in fact, they are not.