The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been urged by consumer
rights and privacy organisations to protect consumers from the
alleged privacy risks posed by Windows XP. Several organisations
including the Centre for Digital Democracy, the Consumers Union and
Netaction signed a letter addressed to the FTC’s Chairman
criticising the Commission for not upholding its statutory duty to
protect consumer interests in relation to the recent Microsoft
release.
The groups alerted the FTC over its concerns as early as July
this year and outlined several privacy implications of the
software. Subsequently, in August, the groups claimed that Windows
XP is potentially harmful to consumer interests. The groups claim
that “Microsoft’s ability to track, profile and monitor the 165
million Passport users has far reaching and profound implications
for privacy protection in general and in particular with regard to
the growth of electronic commerce.”
The letter to the FTC further alleges that a “series of serious
security lapses has occurred involving Passport and the platform on
which the service is maintained,” and that these alleged lapses
support the groups’ claims that “Microsoft’s guarantees of privacy
and security are deceptive and unfair to consumers.”
The groups ask the FTC to take action on their complaint and
call for several remedies including an investigation into the
information collection practices of Microsoft through Passport and
associated services, order Microsoft to review the XP registration
process and provide such relief as is necessary to redress any
injury to consumers resulting from Microsoft’s practices.
