Microsoft Corp. is facing a class-action lawsuit over a tool that gathers data on a user’s computer in an effort to detect bootlegged copies of its Windows operating system.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Monday, concerns Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), an antipiracy tool the company introduced in July 2005. The WGA program collects hardware and software data, delivering it to Microsoft servers. The stored information is then used to warn of possible piracy violations.
The lawsuit alleges that the program violates consumer protection laws in California and Washington state and laws against spyware — invasive programs that surreptitiously collect data.
In introducing WGA, Microsoft has found that computer users are already sensitized to the question of how they are notified about software installation and privacy issues. Late last year, Sony BMG Music Entertainment provoked controversy by shipping 15 million music CDs containing invasive copy protection software that installed itself on buyers’ computers.
Related
- Microsoft faces second WGA lawsuit
- Class Action Suits Planned Against Copy-Protection
- EFF Files Class Action Lawsuit Against Sony BMG
- Microsoft to ease up on piracy check-ins
- Microsoft Adds Privacy Folder To Windows
Microsoft last great os was Windows 2000. XP reminds me of ME that I hate it. Now with this WGA I not sure if I going to upgrade to the newer os. I would have jump to linex but they don’t have software install manager or a hardware manager.
They deserve it!
its dumb to compare WGA with the sony fiasco. they are both bad things that dont belong on my PC but the WGA doesnt potentally destroy my PC like the sony rootkit. and the fact MS is open about it makes a huge difference too.
Notice this lawsuit comes after Bill Gates foundation recieves billions of dollars from the donator.
@ shawners….they STILL deserve it weather or not they got a big donation has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that they spy on their users!
It is about time the courts set an example of companies that want to put software on peoples computers that spy on them.
@Signa….Microsoft was only “open” about it AFTER the fact that it was discovered and then reported That is the whole reason they are trying to downplay the whole thing. You don’t actually think they would have been open about this if it had not been discovered do you?