Linux in business

Chris Gehlker said:

> I did find a couple of 'Web Journalists' who speculated that by
> agreeing to this a person with medical data on their computer could be
> in violation of HIPPA and a few other privacy laws. These 'journalists'
> essentially all said something along the lines of 'If you agree that
> they can collect this data, who knows what other information they may
> collect while they are there?' It's the kind of reasoning I have come
> to expect from 'Web Journalists.' The point isn't that MS could put
> spyware in Windows. Of course they could. The point is that nothing in
> this agreement authorizes them to do so.

Are you sure?

<Agreement>
    * Consent to Use of Data.  You agree that MS and Microsoft
      Corporation and their affiliates may collect and use
      technical information gathered in any manner as part
      of the product support services provided to you, if any,
      related to the SOFTWARE.  MS, Microsoft Corporation and
      their affiliates may use this information solely to
      improve their products or to provide customized services
      or technologies to you.  MS, Microsoft Corporation and
      their affiliates may disclose this information to others,
      but not in a form that personally identifies you.
</Agreement>

I read "in any manner" as certainly not EXCLUDING spyware. Furthermore,
they say they can use it to

1. improve their products
2. provid customized services to you

What the hell do you think customized services are? They are talking
specific content. So if they want to send customized content to me about
my favorite baseball team they have to know what that team is, I believe
they are giving themselves room to collect that data here. Furthermore,
they are giving themselves enough rope to use it to push me
content/programs based on that. So maybe they aren't "spying on me" to
give my information to the "world", but certainly they are opnening doors
to "monitor me" so they can try to turn a "a buck" on me.

Hans will tell you I am not a privacy freak. Believe me we have debated
at length. I am rather liberal, but to claim that this EULA doesn't have
severe issues (regardless of HIPAA) is foolish IMHO.

-Derek