A Different Tune Indeed

Yet another sudden reversal in policy after it was caught.  I just want to say I'm grateful that someone is watching and reporting, and that it is making a difference.  Microsoft is capable of collecting enough information that it is truly dangerous.  Even innocent oversights (I'm being generous) can be serious.

Here is the blurb from Slashdot in response to the full article:

"Microsoft has ceased publishing the estimated locations of millions of laptops, cell phones, and other devices with Wi-Fi connections around the world after a CNET article on Friday highlighted privacy concerns. The decision to rework Live.com's geolocation service comes following scrutiny of the way Microsoft made available its database assembled by both Windows Phone 7 phones and what the company calls "managed driving" by Street View-like vehicles that record Wi-Fi signals accessible from public roads. Every Wi-Fi device has a unique ID, sometimes called a MAC address, that cannot normally be changed."

That is a kind way of phrasing it, and other sources have been incredibly kind as well.  I'm not disagreeing with the post, but the one thing that has irked me is that there seems to be no real mention of the fact that they dropped the ball big time.  This may have been a genuine oversight but how stalkertastic does it get?

I don't want to light the torches and assemble the angry mob, but the quick change wasn't just eagerness to do the right thing (something they aren't known for) but surely a bit of CYA (something they have perfected).  This type of monitoring would be of incredible interest to all kinds of people, none of them good.  This is a perfect example of how we need to review, adjust and improve privacy standards.