W3 - MS Camera App User Agreement

Leonid

Hello, Just received a W3 and I am cleaning it out. This will not be a social center for me. It is just another tool. I absolutely do not agree with MS Camera App User Agreement. Has anyone found a work around to this spyware? I would never want to transfer pictures to or from the Internet.The camera may come in handy but not at the cost of privacy and security. Thank you for your time.

Leho

Leon

Very interesting.  Are you referring to the webcab or the camera?  Where do I find this agreement, to read?

Leho

padgett

I just disable/deny everything relating to the cloud. Apps are loaded from CD or checked out on one of my test machines first.

 

Did make testing Windows 8.1 "interesting" but found a way to add local accounts.

Leonid

Hello Leho,

I don’t know the difference between the two lenses on the W3. I am guessing that they are both classified as WEB Cams. But both the MS Camera App and the Acer App “Crystal Eye” have the option to capture still pictures.

 

I am inferring that the User Agreement gives permission for MS to gather the following info: Quote-

September 23, 2011 /Rafael Rivera

““A few packets were sent, one to agps.location.live.net and several to Microsoft’s Location Inference (codenamed Orion) service hosted at inference.location.live.net. Items transmitted include (but aren’t limited to):

• OS Version (7.0.7004.WM7_7.0_Ship(mojobld).20100916-1429)
• Device Information (SAMSUNG/SGH-i917 and SAMSUNG Electronics/SAMSUNG MITs/i917UCJJ1/[digits])
• Wireless access points around me (MAC addresses, power levels)
• Various GUID-based identifiers

In response to these packets was pin-point accurate positioning information –  all before I granted the Camera application access to location data.””

 

I am saying inferred because when you click on the privacy statement for MS Camera, you are directed to the entire Windows 8 and Server 2008 Privacy page. This is far too big of a document to find what they are doing.

As to their intentions, I find on the Camera App Settings/permissions page the sentence “This app has permission to use your pictures library.” That sentence is there before you select allow App. Where that permission was given, I do not know.

 

This tracking and spying was first found in 2011 by Windows 7 cell phone users. Their law suit brought about the change that we have today. Namely they do not do these things anymore “until” you give permission. These permissions are why this and most apps are not simply installed like desktop software. These little permissions are the key to the privacy issues. If I permit a software company to use my device and information, then there can be no privacy violated. The entire business model for mobile devices is like the Internet, founded on not selling devices and services,  but selling the user information in the devices and services.

 

 

These are some of the search results for MS Camera App:

 

http://technology.inquirer.net/3875/microsoft-faces-suit-over-trackers-in-windows-7-smartphones   http://withinwindows.com/2011/09/23/dissecting-case-01438-exhibit-b-part-2/

http://wmpoweruser.com/microsoft-admits-location-data-privacy-breach-promises-windows-phone-7-5-fixes-it/

Thank You for your response.

PS: I have found no information regarding Acer Crystal Eye other than positive reviews.

Leonid

Hello Padget,

I just disable/deny everything relating to the cloud.  Do you do this as you see them or in a batch or central place?

 

About software installs. I found  a method to bring the WIN7 games to W3.

 

I have the tablet and now I am searching for it's purpose.

 

I was leaning toward portable office when I saw MS Office.

Then I thought of a dedicated Skype client.

Then there are the ?? WEB cams for limited photos/video.

 

But the photo/video is too limited to be of serious use.

And I would not allow Skype and Office files on the same machine.

Maybe sacrifice this one device to online services. Skype/travel-netflicks/browsing-no financial?

 

Regarding this WIN 8.1, when and how will it be delivered?

Thank you