<!--#include virtual="/server/header.html" --> <!-- Parent-Version:1.841.96 --> <!--#set var="DISABLE_TOP_ADDENDUM" value="yes" --> <!-- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please do not edit <ul class="blurbs">! Instead, edit /proprietary/workshop/mal.rec, then regenerate pages. See explanations in /proprietary/workshop/README.md. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ --> <title>Proprietary Interference - GNU Project - Free Software Foundation</title> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/side-menu.css" media="screen,print" /> <!--#include virtual="/proprietary/po/proprietary-interference.translist" --> <!--#include virtual="/server/banner.html" --> <div class="nav"> <a id="side-menu-button" class="switch" href="#navlinks"> <img id="side-menu-icon" height="32" src="/graphics/icons/side-menu.png" title="Section contents" alt=" [Section contents] " /> </a> <p class="breadcrumb"> <a href="/"><img src="/graphics/icons/home.png" height="24" alt="GNU Home" title="GNU Home" /></a> / <a href="/proprietary/proprietary.html">Malware</a> / By type / </p> </div> <!--GNUN: OUT-OF-DATE NOTICE--> <!--#include virtual="/server/top-addendum.html" --> <div style="clear: both"></div> <div id="last-div" class="reduced-width"> <h2>Proprietary Interference</h2> <div class="infobox"> <hr class="full-width" /> <p>Nonfree (proprietary) software is very often malware (designed to mistreat the user). Nonfree software is controlled by its developers, which puts them in a position of power over the users; <a href="/philosophy/free-software-even-more-important.html">that is the basic injustice</a>. The developers and manufacturers often exercise that power to the detriment of the users they ought to serve.</p><p><p>This typically takes the form of malicious functionalities.</p> <hr class="full-width" /> </div> <div class="article"> <p>One kind of malicious functionality mediates developer's interference into the use of the software. This page describes how various proprietary programsmess upharass or annoy theuser's system. Theyuser, or cause trouble for the user. These actions are likesabotage,<a href="/proprietary/proprietary-sabotage#about-page">sabotage</a>, butthey are not grave enough to qualify forthe word“sabotage”. Nonetheless, they are nasty and wrong.“sabotage” is too strong for them. </p> <div class="important"> <p>If you know of an example that ought to be in this page but isn't here, please write to <a href="mailto:webmasters@gnu.org"><webmasters@gnu.org></a> to inform us. Please include the URL of a trustworthy reference or two topresentserve as specific substantiation.</p> </div> <div class="column-limit" id="proprietary-interference"></div> <ul class="blurbs"> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202502230"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2025-02</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://proton.me/blog/outlook-is-microsofts-new-data-collection-service"> Outlook has become a “data collection and ad delivery service”</a>. Since Outlook is now integrated with Microsoft “cloud” services, and doesn't support end-to-end encryption, thespecifics.</p> <ul> <li><p>Pearson'scompany has full access to users' emails, contacts, and calendar events. Microsoft may also <a href="https://www.cyberkendra.com/2023/11/new-outlook-update-raises-privacy.html"> retrieve credentials associated with any third-party services</a> that are synchronized with Outlook. This trove of personal data enables Microsoft, as well as its commercial partners, to flood users with targeted ads, and possibly to train “artificial intelligences.” Even worse, this data is available to any government that can force Microsoft to hand it over.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202501290"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2025-01</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Google is <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2025/01/google-gemini-ai-workspace-default-opt-in.html"> forcing its bullshit generator, Gemini, on many users of Gmail</a> without asking them, and not even offering the users a way to deactivate it.</p> <p>Workplace IT managers, whose employees are forced to use Gmail, can get it turned off after a laborious procedure, followed by waiting—the darkest of dark patterns.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202407300"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2024-07</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>In its default configuration, Windows 11 now <a href="https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-11-now-turns-on-onedrive-folder-backup-without-your-permission/"> uploads users' files and personal information to Microsoft's “cloud”</a> without asking permission to do so. This is presented as a convenient backup method, but if the allotted storage capacity is exceeded, the user will need to buy more space, increasing Microsoft's profit.</p> <p>However, this small profit is probably not the company's major reason for making cloud storage the default. Here is an excerpt from the <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/servicesagreement"> Microsoft Services agreement</a> (Section 2b):</p> <blockquote><p><i>To the extent necessary to provide the Services to you and others, to protect you and the Services, and to improve Microsoft products and services, you grant to Microsoft a worldwide and royalty-free intellectual property license to use Your Content, for example, to make copies of, retain, transmit, reformat, display, and distribute via communication tools Your Content on the Services.</i></p></blockquote> <p>We strongly suspect that the backed-up material is used to feed Microsoft's greedy “AI.” In addition, it is most likely analysed to better profile users in order to flood them with targeted ads, thereby generating more profit.</p> <p>Users, on the other hand, are at the mercy of any entity that demands their data, let alone of any cracker that breaks into Microsoft's servers. They <em>must</em> escape from this sick environment, and install a sane <a href="https://www.gnu.org/distros/free-distros.html"> free/libre system</a>.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202404260"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2024-04</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft has started to <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/who-wants-ads-in-their-windows-11-start-menu-heres-how-to-turn-them-off/"> show ads in the “Recommended” section of the Windows 11 Start menu</a>. Previously, this section only included recently used documents and images. Now it also contains the icons of apps Microsoft wants to advertise, in the hope that the user will click on one of them, and buy the app. So far, the user can disable the ads, but this doesn't make them more legitimate.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202403150"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2024-03</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/15/24101887/microsoft-bing-popups-windows-11-google-chrome"> Microsoft is using malware tactics to get users to switch to their web browser</a>, Microsoft Edge, and their search engine, Microsoft Bing. When users launch the Google Chrome browser Microsoft injects a pop up advertisement in the corner of the screen advising users to switch to Bing. Microsoft also imported users Chrome browsing data without their knowledge or consent.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202311101"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-11</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft has been annoying people who wanted to close the proprietary program OneDrive on their computers, <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/8/23952878/microsoft-onedrive-windows-close-app-notification"> forcing them to give the reason why they were closing it</a>. This prompt was removed after public pressure.</p> <p>This is a reminder that angry users still have the power to make developers of proprietary software remove small annoyances. Don't count on public outcry to make them remove more profitable malware, though. Run away from proprietary software!</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202311090"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-11</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231011121908/https://www.makeuseof.com/how-to-remove-ads-on-samsung/">Samsung's Push Service proprietary app</a> sends notifications to the user's phone about “updates” in Samsung apps, including the Gaming Hub, but these updates only sometimes have to do with a new version of the apps. Many times, the notifications from Gaming Hub are simply ads for games that they think the user should install based on the data collected from the user. Most importantly, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240305093416/https://getfastanswer.com/3486/how-to-remove-samsung-push-service-on-a-smartphone">it cannot be permanently disabled.</a></p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202311070"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-11</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Chamberlain Group <a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/11/chamberlain-blocks-smart-garage-door-opener-from-working-with-smart-homes/">blocks users from using third-party software</a> with its garage openers. This is an intentional attack on using free software. The official garage opener proprietary mobile app is now also <a href="https://pluralistic.net/2023/11/09/lead-me-not-into-temptation/#chamberlain">infested with ads, including up-selling its other services and devices.</a></p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202302140"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2023-02</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/feb/14/microsoft-to-phase-out-internet-explorer-with-new-edge-browser"> remotely disabling Internet Explorer, forcibly redirecting users to Microsoft Edge</a>.</p> <p>Imposing such change is malicious, and the fact that the redirection is from one unjust program (IE) to another unjust program (Edge) does not excuse it.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202211300"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-11</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://www.techarp.com/mobile/apple-china-limit-airdrop/"> Obeying a demand by the Chinese government, Apple restricted the use of AirDrop in China</a>. It imposed a ten-minute time limit during which users can receive files from non contacts. This makes it nearly impossible to use AirDrop for its intended purpose, which is to exchange files with strangers between iMonsters in physical proximity. This happened after it became known that dissenters were using the app to distribute digital anti-government fliers anonymously.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202201050"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2022-01</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>The Norton 360 antivirus <a href="https://www.howtogeek.com/777952/norton-360-antivirus-now-mines-cryptocurrency/">updated its program to install a cryptocurrency miner on users' computers</a> without people's permission. The miner is not turned on by default but there is no way to completely uninstall the crypto mining software, which has upset some users.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202110070"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-10</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://slate.com/technology/2021/10/facebook-unfollow-everything-cease-desist.html">Facebook's nonfree client forces its useds to look at the newsfeed</a>. A used of Facebook developed a browser add-on to make it easier to unfollow everyone and thus make the newsfeed empty. Many of the people used by Facebook loved this, because they regard the newsfeed as a burden that Facebook imposes on them.</p> <p>If the client software for Facebook were free, useds could probably make the newsfeed disappear by modifying the client not to display it.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202108180"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-08</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft is making it harder and harder to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/22630319/microsoft-windows-11-default-browser-changes">replace default apps in its Windows</a> operating system and is pressuring users to use its proprietary programs instead. We believe the best approach to this would be replacing Windows with a free (as in freedom) operating system like GNU. We also maintain a <a href="/distros/free-distros.html">list of fully free distributions of GNU</a>.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202106190"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-06</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/06/even-creepier-covid-tracking-google-silently-pushed-app-to-users-phones/">Google automatically installed an app on many proprietary Android phones</a>. The app might or might not do malicious things but the power Google has over proprietary Android phones is dangerous.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202105300"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-05</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/may/30/gadgets-have-stopped-working-together-interoperability-apple">Apple is systematically undermining interoperability</a>. At the hardware level, it does this via nonstandard plugs, buses and networks. At the software level, it does this by not letting the user have any data except within one app.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202105130"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-05</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p><a href="https://gizmodo.com/get-ready-for-in-car-ads-1846888390">Ford is planning to force ads on drivers in cars</a>, with the ability for the owner to pay extra to turn them off. The system probably imposes surveillance on drivers too.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202104060"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-04</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>The <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/weddings-social-media-apps-photos-memories-miscarriage-problem/">WeddingWire app saves people's wedding photos forever and hands over data to others</a>, giving users no control over their personal information/data. The app also sometimes shows old photos and memories to users, without giving them any control over this either.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202102180"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2021-02</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft is <a href="https://uk.pcmag.com/operating-systems/131798/microsoft-starts-automatically-removing-flash-from-windows">forcibly removing the Flash player from computers running Windows 10</a>, using <a href="/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#windows-update">a universal backdoor in Windows</a>.</p> <p>The fact that Flash has been <a href="/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#M202012020">disabled by Adobe</a> is no excuse for this abuse of power. The nature of proprietary software, such as Microsoft Windows, gives the developers power to impose their decisions on users. Free software on the other hand empowers users to make their own decisions.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202010180"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-10</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft is <a href="https://www.slashgear.com/windows-10-users-are-grumpy-over-forced-updates-and-unwanted-apps-18643135/">forcing Windows users</a> to <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-updates-in-windows-643e9ea7-3cf6-7da6-a25c-95d4f7f099fe">install upgrades it pushes</a> using <a href="/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#windows-update">its universal back doors</a>. These upgrades can do various harms to users such as restricting computers from some functions and/or forcing users to defenselessly do whatever Microsoft tells them to do.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202005250"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-05</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Tesla's cars have a <a href="/proprietary/proprietary-back-doors.html#M201709090.1"> universal remote back door</a>. Tesla used it to <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/6/21127243/tesla-model-s-autopilot-disabled-remotely-used-car-update"> disable the autopilot features</a> on people's cars to make them pay extra for re-enabling the features.</p> <p>This kind of malfeature is only possible with proprietary software—free software is controlled by its users who wouldn't let do such things to them.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M202004150"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2020-04</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Riot Games' new anti-cheat is malware; <a href="https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/309320-riot-games-new-anti-cheat-system-runs-at-system-boot-uses-kernel-driver">runs on system boot at kernel level</a> on Windows. It is insecure software that increases the attack surface of the operating system.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201908150"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-08</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Apple is putting DRM on iPhone batteries, and the system proprietary software <a href="https://www.vice.com/en/article/59nz3k/apple-is-locking-batteries-to-specific-iphones-a-nightmare-for-diy-repair">turns off certain features when batteries are replaced other than by Apple.</a></p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201907220"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-07</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>In 2019, <a href="https://chromestory.com/2019/07/disable-pull-to-refresh-on-chrome-for-android/"> Google revoked users' ability to turn off the “pull-to-refresh” gesture in Chrome for Android</a>. Despite <a href="https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/8152831"> thousands of protests by frustrated users</a>, Google has not reverted its decision. Proprietary software developers are known for ignoring users' requests in favor of their own gain and convenience. Only free software gives users control over their own computing.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201901230"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-01</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Google is modifying Chromium so that <a href="https://tech.slashdot.org/story/19/01/23/0048202/google-proposes-changes-to-chromium-browser-that-will-break-content-blocking-extensions-including-various-ad-blockers"> extensions won't be able to alter or block whatever the page contains</a>. Users could conceivably reverse the change in a fork of Chromium, but surely Chrome (nonfree) will have the same change, and users can't fix it there.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201901110"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2019-01</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Samsung phones come preloaded with <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/samsung-phone-users-get-a-shock-they-can-t-delete-facebook"> a version of the Facebook app that can't be deleted</a>. <a href="https://www.infopackets.com/news/10484/truth-behind-undeletable-facebook-app"> Facebook claims this is a stub</a> which doesn't do anything, but we have to take their word for it, and there is the permanent risk that the app will be activated by an automatic update.</p> <p>Preloading crapware along with a nonfree operating system is common practice, but by making the crapware undeletable, Facebook and Samsung (<a class="not-a-duplicate" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/samsung-phone-users-get-a-shock-they-can-t-delete-facebook">among others</a>) are going one step further in their hijacking of users' devices.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201809120"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-09</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>One version of Windows 10 <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2018/09/12/microsoft-intercepting-firefox-chrome-installation-on-windows-10/"> harangues users if they try to install Firefox (or Chrome)</a>.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201807310"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-07</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>A nonfree video game, available through the nonfree Steam client, <a href="https://www.extremetech.com/gaming/274552-great-now-games-are-hijacking-systems-with-cryptocurrency-miners"> included a “miner”</a>, i.e. an executable that hijacks the CPU in users' computers to mine a cryptocurrency.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201805080"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-05</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>A cracker used an exploit in outdated software to <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/400-websites-secretly-served-cryptocurrency-miners-to-visitors"> inject a “miner” in web pages</a> served to visitors. This type of malware hijacks the computer's processor to mine a cryptocurrency.</p> <p><small>(Note that the article refers to the infected software as “content management system”. A better term would be “<a href="/philosophy/words-to-avoid.html#Content">website revision system</a>”.)</small></p> <p>Since the miner was a nonfree JavaScript program, visitors wouldn't have been affected if they had used <a href="/software/librejs/index.html">LibreJS</a>. Some browser extensions that <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/how-to-stop-sites-from-using-your-cpu-to-mine-coins/"> specifically block JavaScript miners</a> are also available.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201804180"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-04</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Pearson's proprietary educational software <a href="https://gizmodo.com/pearson-embedded-a-social-psychological-experiment-in-s-1825367784"> did an experiment on real students</a>, treating students differently to observe theresults.</p></li> <li><p>Microsoftresults.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201803190"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2018-03</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft is planning to make Windows <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/19/windows-10-microsoft-force-people-edge-browser-windows-mail-chrome-firefox"> impose use of its browser, Edge, in certain circumstances</a>.</p> <p>The reason Microsoft can force things on users is that Windows isnonfree.</p></li> <li><p>Windowsnonfree.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201712060"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-12</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Learn how <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170319013045/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/joseph-farrell/the-fascinating-psycholog_b_6076502.html"> gratis-to-play-and-not-win-much games manipulate their useds psychologically</a>.</p> <p>These manipulative behaviors are malicious functionalities, and they are possible because the game is proprietary. If it were free, people could publish a non-manipulative version and play that instead.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201703170"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-03</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Windows displays <ahref="http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/17/14956540/microsoft-windows-10-ads-taskbar-file-explorer">href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/17/14956540/microsoft-windows-10-ads-taskbar-file-explorer"> intrusive ads for Microsoft products and its partners' products</a>.</p> <p>The article's author starts from the premise that Microsoft has a right to control what Windows does to users, as long as it doesn't go “too far”. Wedisagree.</p></li> <li><p>Microsoft inserts <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/10/windows-10-users-complain-new-microsoft-subscription-onedrive-adverts"> annoying advertisements inside of the File Explorer</a> to nag users to buy subscriptions for the OneDrive service.</p></li> <li><p>Andisagree.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201701110"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2017-01</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>An upgrade package for Acrobat Reader <a href="https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/software/adobe-acrobat-reader-dc-update-installs-chrome-browser-extension/">silently alters Chrome</a>.</p> </li><li>In order to increase Windows 10's install base,<!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201612140"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-12</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>The Microsoft<a href="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/08/windows-10-microsoft-blatantly-disregards-user-choice-and-privacy-deep-dive"> blatantly disregards user choiceTelemetry Compatibility service <a href="https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/microsoft-telemetry-compatibility/cefa7c8e-49c9-4965-aef6-2d5f01bb38f2"> drastically reduces the performances of machines running Windows 10</a>, andprivacy</a>.can't be disabled easily.</p> </li><li> <p>Microsoft has started<!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201608170"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-08</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p> After <ahref="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/04/microsoft-windows-10-full-screen-upgrade-notification-pop-up-reminder"> nagging users obnoxiouslyhref="/proprietary/malware-microsoft.html#windows10-forcing">forcing the download of Windows 10</a> on computers that were running Windows 7 and 8, Microsoft <a href="https://www.computerworld.com/article/3012278/microsoft-sets-stage-for-massive-windows-10-upgrade-strategy.html"> repeatedly switched on a flag that urged users to “upgrade” toinstallWindows10</a>.</p> </li> <li><p>Microsoft10</a> when they had turned it off, in the hope that some day they would fail to say no. To do this, Microsoft used <ahref="http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-upgrade-reportedly-starting-automatically-on-windows-7-pcs-501651.shtml">is tricking users</a>href="https://www.theregister.com/2016/03/17/microsoft_windows_10_upgrade_gwx_vs_humanity/"> malware techniques</a>.</p> <p>A detailed <ahref="https://web.archive.org/web/20160522062607/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/03/17/microsoft_windows_10_upgrade_gwx_vs_humanity/"> into replacing Windows 7 with Windows 10</a>.</p></li> <li><p>Microsofthref="https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/08/windows-10-microsoft-blatantly-disregards-user-choice-and-privacy-deep-dive"> analysis of Microsoft's scheme</a> is available on the Electronic Frontier Foundation's website.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201603090"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-03</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft has made companies' Windows machines managed by the company's sysadmins <ahref="http://www.infoworld.com/article/3042397/microsoft-windows/admins-beware-domain-attached-pcs-are-sprouting-get-windows-10-ads.html">haranguehref="https://www.computerworld.com/article/3042397/admins-beware-domain-attached-pcs-are-sprouting-get-windows-10-ads.html">harangue users to complain to the sysadmins about not “upgrading” to Windows10</a>.</p></li> <li><p>Apple forced millions of iThings to <a href="https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7256669?tstart=0">download a system upgrade without asking the users.</a> Apple did10</a>.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do notforcibly install the upgrade butedit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201602110"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-02</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>A pacemaker running proprietary code <a href="https://www.wired.com/2016/02/i-want-to-know-what-code-is-running-inside-my-body/">was misconfigured and could have killed thedownloading alone caused lots of trouble.</p></li> <li><p>Adobe nonfree software may halt all other workimplanted person</a>. In order to find out what was wrong andfreeze a computer <a href="http://shallowsky.com/blog/gimp/non-free-software-surprises.html">get it fixed, the person needed toperform a license check</a>, at a random time every 30 days.</p></li> <li><p>Microsoftbreak into the remote device that sets parameters in the pacemaker (possibly infringing upon manufacturer's rights under the DMCA). If this system had run free software, it could have been fixed much sooner.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201601160"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2016-01</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Microsoft has <ahref="http://www.theverge.com/2016/1/16/10780876/microsoft-windows-support-policy-new-processors-skylake">desupportedhref="https://www.theverge.com/2016/1/16/10780876/microsoft-windows-support-policy-new-processors-skylake">desupported all future Intel CPUs for Windows 7 and 8</a>. Those machines will be stuck with the nastier Windows 10. <ahref="http://gizmodo.com/only-the-latest-version-of-windows-will-run-on-some-fut-1753545825">href="https://gizmodo.com/only-the-latest-version-of-windows-will-run-on-some-fut-1753545825"> AMD and Qualcomm CPUs,too</a>. </p>too</a>.</p> <p>Of course, Windows 7 and 8 are unethical too, because they are proprietary software. But this example of Microsoft's wielding its power demonstrates the power itholds. </p>holds.</p> <p>Free software developers also stop maintaining old versions of their programs, but this is not unfair to users because the users of free software have control over it. If it is important enough to you, you and other users can hire someone to support the old version on your futureplatforms. </p></li> <li><p>Oracleplatforms.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201510220"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2015-10</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Adobe nonfree software may halt all other work and freeze a computer <a href="https://shallowsky.com/blog/gimp/non-free-software-surprises.html"> to perform a license check</a>, at a random time every 30 days.</p> </li> <!-- Copied from workshop/mal.rec. Do not edit in proprietary-interference.html. --> <li id="M201506260"> <!--#set var="DATE" value='<small class="date-tag">2015-06</small>' --><!--#echo encoding="none" var="DATE" --> <p>Oracle made a deal with Yahoo; Oracle's nonfree Java plug-in will <ahref="http://searchengineland.com/yahoo-signs-deal-with-oracle-to-attract-new-users-via-java-installs-224097">href="https://searchengineland.com/yahoo-signs-deal-with-oracle-to-attract-new-users-via-java-installs-224097"> change the user's initial web page, and default search engine, to Yahoo</a> unless the user intervenes to stopit.</p></li> <li><p> Microsoft is <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/sep/11/microsoft-downloading-windows-1"> repeatedly nagging many users to install Windows 10</a>. </p></li> <li><p> Microsoft was for months <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/feb/02/microsoft-downloading-windows-10-automatic-update"> tricking users into “upgrading” to Windows 10</a>, if they fail to notice and say no. </p></li>it.</p> </li> </ul></div><!-- for id="content", starts in the include above</div> </div> <!--#include virtual="/proprietary/proprietary-menu.html" --> <!--#include virtual="/server/footer.html" --> <divid="footer">id="footer" role="contentinfo"> <div class="unprintable"> <p>Please send general FSF & GNU inquiries to <a href="mailto:gnu@gnu.org"><gnu@gnu.org></a>. 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