The WMP Privacy scam

[FuckMSTillTheyDie]

I can't prove this but can anyone prove it ain't true? you can't - right!

Ok, if you use XP and WMP to rip mp3's (with a codec and a registry tweak) this is what happens.

Microshit keeps tabs on who has decided to use MP3 rather than WMA. You are now in the MS database as an enemy. If you chose not to protect content, you are now in the MS database as a criminal - i.e ripping MP3s for illegal MP3 traffic to teens.

Microshit now collects all information they can:
activation code, IP address, MAC (unique), PSN (if you are dumb enough to have one on), registration ID (if you were dumb enough to register), name (if you are dumb enough to use your own), and then they look at all your email messages for personal information (if you are lame enuf to use outlook)

once they have compiled all this information it is sent to the record companies..this is all true.

[voidmain]

Hey, I'm sure we would *all* love to hear more about this one. Can you dig up any more info on this?

[FuckMSTillTheyDie]

I would love to but there are 5 guys from Redmond outside my house right now...i'm typing in the dark..don't know how long i can hold out..think they've spott_______

[voidmain]

Oh my God!  I'll call the FBI, what's your address?

[Calum]

 
sorry to sound dull after all that, but winusers be warned, use SOMETHING ELSE to rip mp3s!
(use CDEX for instance, freeware from http://www.cdex.n3.net/ )
If you use microsoft stuff, you're flying from the seat of yr pants! and yr generally asking for yr personal details to be shamelessly punted round the electronic databases of the world for your trouble!
PS let me know if you learn any trade secrets while in captivity, I'll be watching on TV in 20 years when they overthrow the Glorious People's Dictatorship of Microsoft and set all the hostages free...

[Gonusto]

Ok . . . let's try this one more time, minus the random rebooting that Windows seems to be so fond of (anybody know why that happens)?

 

quote:Microshit keeps tabs on who has decided to use MP3 rather than WMA. You are now in the MS database as an enemy. If you chose not to protect content, you are now in the MS database as a criminal - i.e ripping MP3s for illegal MP3 traffic to teens.

My uncle (who's a Lt. Col in the US Army) mentioned something similar to me the other week.  He was saying that XP keeps track of ALL illegal material on your computer and sends back periodic reports to Microsoft.

Now before people start trying to tear me a new asshole (like they did to guy who claimed his uncle workd for Microsoft and was sent hookers), keep in mind that I'm not stating this as fact.  It's only word-of-mouth . . . but considering the source and Microsoft's past history, I'm inclined to believe it.  If I find any evidence that's a bit more substantial, I'll be sure to post it.


-Gonusto

[voidmain]

Your uncle probably reads fuckmicrosoft.com like all smart people do...

[Gonusto]

I'm smart?  Gawsh,  I feel all warm and fuzzy inside now . . .

He might browse the forums here, but it's doubtful. Between his job and his 7 kids, he doesn't have a whole lot of spare time . . .


-Gonusto

[CommonSense]

quote:Originally posted by Gonusto:
My uncle (who's a Lt. Col in the US Army) mentioned something similar to me the other week.  He was saying that XP keeps track of ALL illegal material on your computer and sends back periodic reports to Microsoft.

Now before people start trying to tear me a new asshole (like they did to guy who claimed his uncle workd for Microsoft and was sent hookers), keep in mind that I'm not stating this as fact.  It's only word-of-mouth . . . but considering the source and Microsoft's past history, I'm inclined to believe it.  If I find any evidence that's a bit more substantial, I'll be sure to post it.

It sounds a little too "conspiracy theory" for my tastes, but I guess I'll allow a SLIGHT possibility that MAYBE this is true.  It could be further theorized that this is kind of a backroom deal between M$ and DOJ -- "we'll tone down our pursuit of the antitrust thing if you'll help us out."  With all this bullshit post-9/11 hysteria, I think it's more plausible.

Didn't the FBI basically admit to using spyware, setting up Internet traffic surveillance methods like Condor/Echelon, and investigating the use of viruses to spy on people?  With the exception of Condor/Echelon, this stuff demands the selection of a platform, and the smart money's on Windows, since that's what most people use.

Yet another reason I'm glad I use OS X.  There's some software I'm very, very happy to not have available for my platform, thanks.

[FuckMSTillTheyDie]

Hey guys.

Did i call it right or what?

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nf/20020222/tc_nf/16455

[Zombie9920]

I would never have to worry about MS knowing that I rip MP3's because I use Creative Playcenter 3 to do my ripping. While we are on the note of WMP8 privacy..all of the rumours of WMP8 giving your info to MS is BS. WMP8 downloads album info/DVD info from the net like other media players(Winamp, Creative Playcenter, etc.).

http://www.wininformant.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=24202

[Nerull]

I rip my MP3 in Linux so no danger 4 me  
Greets Nerull

[Nerull]

I rip my MP3 in Linux so no danger 4 me  
Greets Nerull

[Calum]

quote:Originally posted by Zombie9920:
While we are on the note of WMP8 privacy..all of the rumours of WMP8 giving your info to MS is BS. WMP8 downloads album info/DVD info from the net like other media players(Winamp, Creative Playcenter, etc.).

Zombie2364784, you must be able to read, since you post on these forums.
The post DIRECTLY ABOVE YOURS is a link to an article about Microsoft saying they log yr listening and viewing habits. Where they get the initial information from is a void point. This is no rumour, deal with it.

[Calum]

quote:Originally posted by Zombie9920:
[QB]I would never have to worry about MS knowing that I rip MP3's because I use Creative Playcenter 3 to do my ripping. While we are on the note of WMP8 privacy..all of the rumours of WMP8 giving your info to MS is BS.

While i'm at it, if you trust M$ so much, and you don't believe they are spying on you, why would you make a point of saying you use Creative Playcenter instead of Media Player?
Whether you use one or the other makes no difference, surely, unless you think that one of them might be, for example, spyware...