Windows XP, Microsoft's latest operating system, has been
attacked by privacy protection groups including the Electronic
Privacy Information Center (EPIC), the Privacy Foundation an
Junkbusters. They intend to file a formal complaint against
Microsoft with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) , alleging that
the Passport feature of Windows XP poses a threat to user
privacy.
A simple version of the Passport system already exists for some
on-line Microsoft services, such as Hotmail. It stores users'
personal information to avoid the users re-entering their details
when visiting different web sites. Microsoft wants to develop
Passport and make it a core feature of its services as more of them
move on-line.
The complaints have been prompted by the large quantity of
personal information stored about individuals within the Passport
database. Windows XP ties Microsoft's operating system to Passport
for the first time. Users' personal information such as credit card
details and contacts lists will be stored on the Microsoft
database. This has been criticised as presenting an unreasonable
risk to user privacy.
The privacy groups further argue that the prominence of the
Passport system in Windows XP limits the services available to a
user who does not wish to submit personal information. They see
Microsoft’s power to steer users into signing up to Passport
services as a deceptive and unfair method of obtaining the personal
details of individual users.
A US House Subcommittee is to consider on-line privacy issues
later this week. The focus of the meeting will be on the use of
"opt-in" and "opt-out" clauses in obtaining permission from
consumers to share their personal information with other
enterprises. Presently, US-based internet companies generally
operate under self-regulatory regimes without interference from
government bodies.
