Windows 10 automatically sends parents detailed dossier of their children's internet

[Deleted]

Windows 10 automatically sends parents detailed dossier of their children's internet history and computer use

Can't post links yet:

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So, the article:

Windows 10 sends a weekly “activity update” on childrens’ internet browsing and computer history to parents, by default and without telling anyone. The feature could be dangerous as well as embarrassing, users have pointed out, allowing parents to watch everything their children do on the computer.

The operating system sends a weekly note that includes a list of websites children have visited, how many hours per day they have spent on the computer, and for how long they have used their favourite apps, according to reports.

The feature appears to be turned on by default for family accounts — not notifying either children or their parents that they are being spied on — and was reported by parents who hadn’t asked for and weren’t aware of activating the feature themselves.

Some worried that the feature could accidentally out young LGBT people, by sending details of their web browsing to their parents. That could then in turn put them at risk of abuse by their parents, or danger, Twitter users have warned.

Others have worried that the feature is part of a shift towards “teaching children from the youngest age their every motion is being digital watched and they should self-censor as appropriate,” wrote Twitter user mcc.

Parents that warned about the feature have told young people to be aware that their parents might be spying on their web browsing.

“This weekend we upgraded my 14-year-old son's laptop from Windows 8 to Windows 10,” wrote a Boing Boing reader in an email to the site. “Today I got a creepy-ass email from Microsoft titled 'Weekly activity report for [my kid]', including which websites he's visited, how many hours per day he's used it, and how many minutes he used each of his favorite apps.”

The reader, known as Kirk, said that he couldn’t be sure that the reports were directly related to the upgrade. But they began very soon after the upgrade.

“OK, I admit that the timing might be coincidental but that would be one hell of a coincidence. I've never seen anything like this until we upgraded to Windows 10, and then I got the spy report the following business day.

“A message to young readers: if you have Windows 10 now, your parents might be getting the same kind of report I did. Don't assume your own computer has your back.”

The dossiers are just the latest example of worries about invasive spying on Windows 10 — which includes settings that allow Microsoft to look in on users’ computers, and which continues to send data to Microsoft even when they are turned off.

Those concerns have led to worries that have meant that some Windows 10 users are being banned by pirates from torrenting, for fear that Microsoft has installed technology that can look at their hard drives.

No wonder Microsoft are offering upgrade for free. =-]

[Cyberowl]

Always remember, don't feed the trolls!

Look at OP's name, first post, first thread.

Pretty sure there are options for that and yeah, there are enough programs that do those things anyways. If you are too darn stupid to change some settings in your OS or during installation, then you'll have to deal with the "spying".

[Belize]

My parents would see a lot of freaky porn.

[solinari6]

Always remember, don't feed the trolls!

Look at OP's name, first post, first thread.

Pretty sure there are options for that and yeah, there are enough programs that do those things anyways. If you are too darn stupid to change some settings in your OS or during installation, then you'll have to deal with the "spying".

Well, it definitely isn't an option to turn on/off during install, and it's pretty hard to turn off a feature you didn't even realize existed.

[Rixis]

So which complaints would be louder, those saying that companies aren't doing enough to protect their kids when they're online, or this? Assuming this was a base feature and not related to any sort o f"parental protections" that the users opted into without reading.

[Mentia]

You guys better watch it, your parents might find out.

[Cyberowl]

Well, it definitely isn't an option to turn on/off during install, and it's pretty hard to turn off a feature you didn't even realize existed.

I didn't create a family account for my OS, but I'm pretty sure you are directed to the settings at some point. If you enable something you look into the settings and turn things on and off. It only leaves lazy parents and worried parents that would have that feature anyways. I don't see a problem.

[Gorgodeus]

Well, it definitely isn't an option to turn on/off during install, and it's pretty hard to turn off a feature you didn't even realize existed.

Anyone installing any software on a PC should do their research beforehand, and know about such things, and how to disable them.

[Rixis]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...evice-activity

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...-child-account

When you add an account flagged as "child" to your computer/account, why are you surprised that they take steps to protect your kids.

The account page for adding users:


The Learn More button leads here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...ety=windows-10

Adults in the family can view reports of kids’ online activity, limit how long and when they use their devices, and help make sure they don't see inappropriate websites, apps, or games.

This is simply a case of people clicking yes, yes, yes to everything without bothering to pay attention to what they're agreeing too.

edit: oh look, it even allows you to choose whether you're adding a child or adult:

[Cyberowl]

Anyone installing any software on a PC should do their research beforehand, and know about such things, and how to disable them.

"Oh damn it, I bought a washing machine in the GTC's again. "

[Kathandira]

Oh Noes! Parents are going to be able to monitor their children!!!

It has been quite a concern for parents that they aren't able to keep track of the sites their children visit, or the content they are viewing. Now there is a super simple way to do it, and people complain. Jeez.

[solinari6]

When you add an account flagged as "child" to your computer/account, why are you surprised that they take steps to protect your kids.

The account page for adding users:
The Learn More button leads here:


This is simply a case of people clicking yes, yes, yes to everything without bothering to pay attention to what they're agreeing too.

edit: oh look, it even allows you to choose whether you're adding a child or adult:

That's great for new users, but I'm guessing that people that upgraded PCs (that already have child/parent accounts defined) didn't get the same information.
Which, is pretty much EVERYONE who has windows 10, that didn't get it on a new PC.

[The One Percent]

Can't really see who would be upset over this save for horny thirteen year olds.

[Kakera]

OP is a troll who is just looking to spark drama because his life is sad. Move on folks please.

[Deleted]

This is simply a case of people clicking yes, yes, yes to everything without bothering to pay attention to what they're agreeing too.

My first and only thought when I read this.

[Wildtree]

So Windows has (finally) an option baked in that saves parents the money to buy a third party monitor program?

Scandalous..

[Risale]

Oh Noes! Parents are going to be able to monitor their children!!!

It has been quite a concern for parents that they aren't able to keep track of the sites their children visit, or the content they are viewing. Now there is a super simple way to do it, and people complain. Jeez.

WoW Microsoft are forcing parents to pay attention to their kids again, what a welcome change (that last wasn't sarcasm by the way).
That feature could keep a lot of kids from getting into trouble unless they are the ones installing the upgrade to W10 as the parentals have no clue.

[Rixis]

That's great for new users, but I'm guessing that people that upgraded PCs (that already have child/parent accounts defined) didn't get the same information.
Which, is pretty much EVERYONE who has windows 10, that didn't get it on a new PC.

Yeah, but this is all managed through a family setting on your account, online, so any parent actually looking after their kids would see the changes. The emailed/website generated report is the only change, and as said, no responsible parent could reasonably complain about this, especially with the storm over the years of how companies are not doing enough to protect children online.

edit: actually the reports were also there in windows 8 from what i gather, though they mahe have been turned off by default

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...ld-pc-activity

Unless that page was updated when they upgraded (if they did) their system to include the reports.

[Wildtree]

OP is a troll who is just looking to spark drama because his life is sad. Move on folks please.

Or a kiddo mad that daddy can now see what he does, and becomes subject to PC bans, ass whoops, and all that other juicy punishment array...

[solinari6]

Can't really see who would be upset over this save for horny thirteen year olds.

Well, like the article mentions, the main concern is for GLBT youth, who will get outed to their parents.