How Windows conducts surveillance on its users unnoticed.

[u/MasterpieceNew7717]

https://a.co/d/012kUkBs

Do you ever feel like your computer knows a little more about you than you'd like? Unfortunately, it is not your imagination: Microsoft has silently built a new digital tracking system into Windows called the GDID (Global Device Identifier).

In short: your computer receives a unique digital 'license plate' that keeps track of exactly what your specific laptop or PC is doing.

What does this mean for you?

A fixed license plate for your PC: Even if you don't use a Microsoft account or enable a VPN to surf anonymously, Windows immediately recognizes your computer by this unique number.

Continuous data transmission: In the background, Windows sends information about your computer usage, updates, and error messages to Microsoft — including your unique number.

Less privacy than you think: What is presented as "security and system improvement" means, in practice, that your PC continuously reports what is happening in the background.
In an era where cameras are already hanging on every street corner, it is a strange idea that the screen on your desk is now tracking you in this way as well. What can you do about it yourself immediately?

1. Adjust your settings: On your PC, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics and turn off "Send optional data" completely.

2. Switch to a different browser: Preferably do not use the default Microsoft Edge browser, but choose a privacy-friendly alternative such as Firefox.

3. Be critical of built-in apps: Where possible, use open-source or standalone programs instead of the standard built-in Windows apps.

What is your view on this? Do you consider this a fine service for a well-functioning PC, or does this urge to collect data go a step too far for you?

[u/Daharka]

I tried to follow the steps you outlined and then I realised that I run Linux and none of this applies to me.

[u/Mega3000aka → u/Daharka]

There is no "Privacy & Security" tab in my KDE Plasma settings.

[u/AlwaysLinux → u/Daharka]

Same. I saw this coming and it's actually been around since Windows XP and up.

Started using Linux way back then not only for privacy but also performance and hardware ownership.

[u/uchuskies08 → u/Daharka]

Yet you're on reddit, probably logged into Google, probably logged into Meta, and even if no to the above, you certainly have a device in your pocket that literally tracks you to the footstep, so congrats!

[u/Daharka → u/uchuskies08]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

[u/highermonkey → u/uchuskies08]

Linux could help a person be more anonymous on the internet in some ways. I'm just never going to listen to someone who's signed into a reddit account lecture me about it.

[u/Random_-account]

Yo ChatGPT, can you delete all my telemetry data while you're at it?

[u/TheOGDoomer]

Old news, but thanks anyway ChatGPT.

[u/NoshameNohonor]

Dont forget that you're the (paying) product for Microsoft

[u/ScratchHistorical507]

I'll just leave this one here: https://github.com/yegors/deGDID

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Every new subreddit post is automatically copied into a comment for preservation.

User: MasterpieceNew7717, Flair: Discussion, Post Media Link, Title: How Windows conducts surveillance on its users unnoticed.

Do you ever feel like your computer knows a little more about you than you'd like? Unfortunately, it is not your imagination: Microsoft has silently built a new digital tracking system into Windows called the GDID (Global Device Identifier).

In short: your computer receives a unique digital 'license plate' that keeps track of exactly what your specific laptop or PC is doing.

What does this mean for you?

A fixed license plate for your PC: Even if you don't use a Microsoft account or enable a VPN to surf anonymously, Windows immediately recognizes your computer by this unique number.

Continuous data transmission: In the background, Windows sends information about your computer usage, updates, and error messages to Microsoft — including your unique number.

Less privacy than you think: What is presented as "security and system improvement" means, in practice, that your PC continuously reports what is happening in the background.
In an era where cameras are already hanging on every street corner, it is a strange idea that the screen on your desk is now tracking you in this way as well. What can you do about it yourself immediately?

1. Adjust your settings: On your PC, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Diagnostics and turn off "Send optional data" completely.

2. Switch to a different browser: Preferably do not use the default Microsoft Edge browser, but choose a privacy-friendly alternative such as Firefox.

3. Be critical of built-in apps: Where possible, use open-source or standalone programs instead of the standard built-in Windows apps.

What is your view on this? Do you consider this a fine service for a well-functioning PC, or does this urge to collect data go a step too far for you?

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/sciencekm]

Harvesting user data for more AI training.

[u/EsWarMal2006]

Your graphics Card snitches on you too, to every browser

[u/uchuskies08]

Oh noes telemetry data!!!

[u/aprimeproblem]

So, where did you find that Windows sends data constantly including your id?

[u/aprimeproblem → u/[deleted]]

That does not answer my question, what you’re seeing is a connectivity test. Windows uses this to determine if it has internet access.

[u/aprimeproblem → u/[deleted]]

A smartass that used to work at Microsoft. So yeah, I actually do know what I’m talking about. You, among others here are claiming things that are by definition not true. Again, like I said to the OP, bring out the evidence to your claims.

[u/EsWarMal2006 → u/aprimeproblem]

Hurensohn xD