Windows, macOS & Linux PRIVACY compared: why do they need ALL THIS DATA?!
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#Linux #macos #windows
00:00 Intro
00:34 Sponsor: Try Proton Mail, the secure & private email service
01:48 Windows Data collection
04:33 Windows 3rd party requests
06:07 How bad is Windows?
07:05 Disable Windows data collection?
07:58 macOS data collection
09:37 Disable macOS data collection
10:34 How bad is macOS?
11:23 Linux Distributions
13:52 Sponsor: Get a PC that runs Linux perfectly
14:52 Support the channel
So if you've installed Windows 11 recently, you're familiar with the very lengthy setup process where you can uncheck a lot of toggles to try and limit what the OS collects.
What the OS will collect is the following:
- Microsoft Store Logs
- Network data
- Hardware information
- Accessory data
- Application-related data
- Event metrics
You'll also send complete words that you typed or wrote, not just statistics. You'll also send speech recognition data, and activity history, so every document you opened, website you visited...
But that's just what Microsoft tells you about. Recently, a youtuber called "The PC Security channel" analysed a completely fresh Windows install, using Wireshark, and what they found was is that Windows makes a few connections to third parties it never really told you about.
THEIR VIDEO: • Has Windows become Spy...
- trustedsource.org.
- scorecardresearch.com
- Bing and msn.com
- privacyportal.onetrust.com
So what exactly can Microsoft do with all this data?
Well, they have more than enough to completely fingerprint your device, they can reliably tell what you use in terms of apps, and what type of content you watch, and they also basically can have a keylogger on your computer. And finally, Windows sends some data to third parties.
Fortunately, you can disable all the option stuff straight from the settings.You can go to the privacy and security options, and go into each category and disable everything there.
You can also completely disable the telemetry service. Just hit Windows + R, and in the run dialog, type services.msc. In there, look for something called "Connected user experiences and telemetry", double click that, and in the "General tab", you can set "startup type" to "disabled".
Apple talks a big game when it comes to privacy, but in the end, is it really true?
Out of the box, macOS sends to Apple your IP address, location, and some usage patterns, like all the apps you run, and when you run them. Other telemetry data, out of the box, includes browsing history, search history, crash data, performance and diagnostic data, location information, health information if you use that on an iPhone for example, all the info you entered in your AppleID, the device serial number, payment information, everything you bought using that Apple ID, and potentially your government ID.
Fortunately, macOS lets you disable virtually everything that's being collected. You can just head over to the Security and Privacy settings, and in analytics and improvements, uncheck everything.
Now, how about Linux? Well, Linux based operating systems, or at least desktop Linux distributions don't collect any data out of the box, with a few exceptions.
The first one is Ubuntu, who will collect telemetry data out of the box, with no personal information at all. It's just hardware data, but it could still be used to fingerprint your device. Canonical doesn't currently have any ad server that I know about, so they probably only really use this to know what their users actually use and focus their efforts on that, but if you're uncomfortable with that, you can disable it at install.
Some Ubuntu derivatives that use the same installer might also have that kind of telemetry. On top of that, you have the ability to turn some entirely optional telemetry on in KDE's settings; and GNOME also has a telemetry tool that you have to install manually. - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Try out Proton Mail, the secure email service that protects your privacy: proton.me/mail/TheLinuxEXP
Well, they recently doxxed a French climate activist to the French government, sooooo...
the same proton mail that willingly handed over identifiable user data to the feds causing the arrest of people who protested ?
@@Linda- yep, that's the one!
@@Linda- This is why i changed to tutanota. But i don't know if this better.
@@Linda- "This is obviously not done by default, but only if legally forced" - Andy Yen. It's obvious that criminals take advantage of these fantastic tools, but if you use them for good, protect yourself from data collection by the Big Tech companies, and if you value your privacy, I can tell you it's still a great product, because Proton is focused on privacy, not anonymity
Google: if it's free, you're the product.
Microsoft: if it's not free, you're still the product.
Apple: if it's not free, you're still the product, it's just more expensive.
Linux: if it's free, it's free.
Google: If some site uses our Analytics, you're also the product as a visitor of that site.
Linux: if it's free it's free but you should donate to the OS if you have the spare cash although in no way required!
best take i ever seen so far
But you got it exactly right by sequence from who mines the most user data. Till the least mined data.
@@hopelessdecoy You must know my ex. She calls it "extra money", instead of "spare money", but it's the same attitude. "Extra money" is what one person spends without telling the spouse, who had put that "extra money" aside to pay the mortgage. I'll just bet that you also think that if it is in the bank, it must be, "extra money"!
Apart from that, offline experience gets worse year by year.
As a Windows user, I don't notice the offline experience getting worse and worse.
@@Hardcore_Remixer Windows 11 can't even be installed without network access 🙁
@@cleinz it is possible but you have to create a local user while creating the boot stick with rufus
@@cleinz It can, by bypassing the OOBE with a single command in Command Prompt at the account setup screen.
Not to defend Microsoft, because they're terrible for intentionally hiding local users in Windows 11, but it's not impossible.
@@cleinz Just unplug your ethernet cable or turn off Wi-fi before installing.
Microsoft and Apple used to turn telemetry back on every time they updated the OS. So turning off telemetry wasn’t a permanent solution.
True
If it even works to start with, you mean
This doesn't happen with Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC (Long term servicing channel)
@@andrebrait I was trying to pretend that it was possible. But we all know that Microsoft and Apple are going to collect your data no matter what you do.
@@98SE But the vast majority of people don't have that version.
Switching off something in windows and get it deactivated are two way apart things.
Yeah there’s that
Yes, if Windows is a bad faith actor OOTB, then how on earth can it be trusted to turn off telemetry in the settings? The answer is that as a closed source OS it cannot be trusted.
C'mon people, if Windows were bad faith actor then they'd do stuff like un-toggle your settings in one of their forced updates. Let's calm down. Oh wait, what's that, you say?
In fact, if you really need privacy, Linux isn't your only option - there are BSD-based systems as well as Haiku and some others. Yes, I understand that they are less friendly to most users, but it's still an option.
It's funny that the most private systems are MS-DOS, FreeDOS and so on. They're just too dumb to collect any telemetry.
True
most private system is clearly templeOS, it sends all the telemetry only and directly to god, which is also very clearly said it does so
Windows 10/11 can be among the most private operating systems. Never connect to the internet.
FreeBSD doesn't have telemetry for me to opt out of though it may phone home during install if I say 'download the operating system across the internet during install'. If I cared about them tracking what I install from their project controlled package servers then I can run my own as instructions to download from original source, patch, configure, compile, and install a program + repeat for all dependencies is available as their ports system.
FreeDOS isn't too dumb, it knows how to use a network, it just doesn't do anything if you don't tell it to.
In general, on Linux, you only have to worry about what the applications do. There are most definitely applications that collect data.
How good are distros at letting you find and manage this? One thing I have always liked about macOS is it makes it easier to see what data an individual app is requesting and stop it from accessing anything it shouldn't be. Sometimes this even gets a little annoying - for example, I run an installer from the Downloads folder and the first thing it asks me is if I want to allow that installer to have access to the downloads folder to run itself!
@@IanBetteridge I'd say not as good as Mac OS or mobile operating systems yet. If they actively use flatpak - apps will have restricted access, but it won't ask you to change permissions on fly, you'll have to change app's permissions manually if it need's access to something it doesn't have access to, or the other way around.
This is where Max exceeds the others. You can turn of all the telemetry stuff and have builtin tools to monitor what the other apps are doing.
@@9ix1LOL.
@@rw5069 what a load of utter rubbish have you ever actually installed anything that monitors the outgoing connections on a Mac every time you open a Mac ding every time you close an application on the Mac ding Mac ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding constantly on the actual connections it sends more telemetry data I think than windows
It's nice to see some sponsors that are actually relevant and interesting to the kind of content I watch.
I say this as someone who uses an ad blocker 100% of the time: I WILL WATCH IN VIDEO ADS LIKE TUXEDO THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE VIDEO.
Yes! I actually watch the sponsor part all the way through if it's RELEVANT to the video I'm watching!
@musicalneptunian ok but what about raid shadow legends ads on random videos of all topics rofl
Good lord, I thought Windows 10 was bad with telemetry. This is insane. So glad I switched to Linux Mint, best computing decision I've made in a long time. So glad modern distros are so far along and so much easier to work with, made switching a no-brainer.
@@mattbergman2788 Some job can be done on Linux as efficient as on Windows tho, I'd say that you can actually work with it depending on what job you're working on and which distro you're using.
As an animation student, it's pretty tricky to get required apps working on Linux, especially Toon Boom Harmony, it outright does not allow wine. And yes, we have to send project files for grading to our professors so really I can't get away with just using Krita. But I still can get away with using Linux for personal projects however.
@@EmiyaSyahriel only thing that keeps me from switching 100% to linux is the fact that adobe animate/flash doesnt work very well on linux. but setting up dual-boot fixes that problem. I'm sure i will switch to another program eventually but currently nothing beats the ease of flash workflow for me. I just need to learn how to animate on blender or krita as well as i do in flash.
@@mattbergman2788 and what is problem for you?
Ago, there were several problems: ms office, games (not work), drawing/designer tools, CAD systens.
Offline office became less relevant, LibreOffice is much better now, also there is OnlyOfffice.
Games aren't a work. And their support is much better now.
So only real stoppers are for designers (2D, 3D, CAD).
@@mattbergman2788 I'd wager that for most workflows that don't depend on Windows-only software, Linux can be made to be much more efficient. For example KDE lets you set custom shortcuts for basically anything you want to do on your PC (eg. opening a browser, maximizing windows, etc.). That's contrary to Windows, which only makes that possible through third-party software like AutoHotkey, which has an obscene learning curve, and takes up additional resources.
Windows really can't compete when it comes to user experience, unless you use your OS as a bootloader for Chrome. It's designed to be good-enough.
And let's be honest, there's a reason why they've blatantly copied from Linux projects in the past, and are still continuing to do so.
Open BSD is apparently very secure
The OS is very secure, yes. But it doesn't protect your privacy per-se. You can still get fingerprinted in the browser. Security != Privacy.
@@dominikheinz2297 curl
Brave, LibreWolf…
@@dominikheinz2297 Yes, I know that. BSD is locked down more so than Windows.
i tried openbsd, and it lacks the programs that i used for my workflow, I switched back to Linux.
7:53 As any experienced Windows modder can tell you, this is not even close to enough to fully turn off Windoes 10 or 11's required telemetry. You also need to disable several other services and even scheduled tasks, many of which are hard-permission-locked and require running processes as the TrustedInstaller token - that is, a process permission mode beyond run as administrator, to succesfully modify. This requires using a specialsauce, undocumented sequence of Windows API calls, and no tools bundled with Windows offer this functionality to the user. This special ACL tier is exclusively reserved to the TrustedInstaller service out of the box, which does the actual work modifying Windows files and registry keys during Windows updates and is also the basis for the Component-Based Servicing system and the System Integrity Protection services. Using a specialized 3rd-party launcher is the only way the user can run any other processes in this effective root access state in order to modify the configurations only it has access to.
And these tweaks get automatically reverted by Windows Update after a while anyway... without notifying you, the user who clearly manually changed these settings if they're not set to their defaults, of this. So if you want any of your hard work to stick, killing Windows Update, ensuring it can't turn itself back on and effectively killing the OS's self-repair capabilities is also required.
I personally use Linux, and if I ever need Windows, I use pirated Windows Enterprise on a VM as a base, and then apply multiple sets of tracker blocklists, registry tweaks, and filesystem and Windows feature removal lists on top of that. And then use a custom script to update Windows and then re-do every single change I made to the core OS automatically.
Debian also has optional data collection. If I remember correctly, you choose before anything is actually installed or setup. I usually allow it but not always. If I know I will be installing repeatedly, I refuse it. A repeated install is something that happens when first trying to setup a custom build for something like a server. Allowing the telemetry would actually skew their metrics because nearly all those only last a few hours at most.
How is that possible
The worst part is we PAY for Windows or MacOS! Either bundled into the cost of the hardware or in the case of windows, as a separate license. So much for the axiom "if the product is free, then you are the product". Oh and now Microsoft wants to cram their AI spybot BS into windows whether you want it or not!
I'm a bit out of the loop, what AI Spybot BS?
@@CZ_Cr4sh bing chat AI can now be used in Windows, no longer just the browser
@@dhimantsoni5 Well. Once Windows 10 goes the way of the Dodo, I'm reformatting my secondary drive and using it for storage, cause fuck that. I'd just rather not play Warzone.
@@CZ_Cr4sh LOL, you probably said that going all the way back to windows 7.
@@nathanl2966 Nah, I only swapped full time back in 2019. Also, here's the mandatory I use Arch btw.
No Internet = No Privacy concerns!
(Maybe, idk if someone figure out data collection through USB or something)
Stealing data from USB? Nah that is definetely not a thing, expect it is a thing
When I was servicing as a soldier we did not plug USB when transfer data but CD/DVD :D
@@alternatuber6698 I was servicing here in my country (obligated), and I know that you have to ask permission to plug a pendrive on any computer, but in my case was infantry, so we didn't use computer none of the time.
And with a subscription of a youtube channel you will be send a CD every month. 😁
> Amazon Sidewalk has entered the chat.
I read an old article (~2002 probably) recently about telemetry Microsoft added to Windows 2000 with SP3 and the authors were naturally very upset with Microsoft. What were MS spying on back then? A list of installed applications. Nowadays if they did that we'd be shoveling praise because of how little data that is. Times have certainly changed, and in this case certainly for the worse.
Apple was caught few times when mac os was ignoring privacy settings (including VPN)
Yup, it's surprising how many times they just happen to 'accidentally' drop the ball and breach privacy/data, oopsie doopsie. 🙄
You are talking about a broken implementation of VPNs on iOS, which contrary to the understanding of those that love to criticize Apple despite not knowing any simple basic facts about it, is NOT the same as macOS.
@@nathanl2966care to tell me about this number of times they were caught doing something terrible?
@@imelliam 🦗 it's the sound of crickets 🎶
Thank you so much for this! I'm helping a friend buy and set up a new laptop, and have shown this to them. Unsurprisingly they were horrified to learn how much data they collect and use.
Information like this is not only eye-opening but simply and well presented. You scored a new subscriber today!
from canonical’s perspective though, opt out is much better for telemetry, the people who go out of their way are usually fans or enthusiasts and are much different from the typical person that’s just clicks “next” a million times.
I so miss the Windows XP days! Linux FTW!
one small thing to note regarding macOS is that telemetry every time you open an app can also be disabled, its a security feature similar to smartscan on windows (called gatekeeper iirc?), but i rather have it off
very sadly, you have to use the terminal to disable it
Sharing the command for turning off Gatekeeper here so you don’t have to Google:
_sudo spctl --master-disable_
You can remove the `sudo` part if you're already root~
I think Onyx can do it too
@@konstantink07 you're right! parameters->misc if anyones curious!
Bloody hell, Windows data collection is actually disgusting. The fact that they're even allowed to do all that, some of it heavily obfuscated, is beyond fucked up.
"allowed to do all that", you allow it, its in the terms and conditions. Governments ain't gonna do it because they get your data from Microsoft.
US government has direct access to information from all large US tech firms, this shouldnt be a surprise....
Something that wasn’t mentioned with MacOS is that the telemetry never has to be turned on, during the initial setup it asks you if you want to share Mac analytics and app analytics with Apple and third party developers. Although also counter to this if you join the MacOS beta program analytics are automatically turned on when you update to a beta version of MacOS however it’s just as easy to turn analytics back off and it only turns on the base system analytics and not any of the other analytics such as Siri improvements or share with third party developers. If you were setting up macOS in a VM then telemetry may have been turned on automatically through the setup scripts rather than macOS itself.
My guy stop to be so innocent, those prompts asking for permission to collect data are just a visual thing, it will collect data anyway because it's bundled deeply into the kernel and OS, you will never be able to know if a closed source OS isn't collecting data. What's worse is that both Windows and Mac have actual backdoors for NSA, so you're basically never safe
this wasn't stated for a reason, we know why. first thing that came to my mind too. It asks you directly with zero directions and no confusing opt-in language.
Thank God we have you reminding us about these things. If it wasn't for these videos I would probably still be running windows because of X thing not working in linux, but now I've moved both my desktop and laptop to linux, as well as a little nuc that runs ubuntu server with nextcloud. Next stop for me will be finding a good solution for a phone that doesn't spy on me which will be 100 times harder.
No joke, keep the privacy reminders running, never feel like you're overdoing it. It's just crazy if you think about how much spying people are putting up with because they don't realise it's happening.
Again, thank you Nick for keeping this up.
Glad I can help!
For the first time in human history someone can be spied on 24/7 even in their home: Alexa, a phone and an intrusive OS like Windows or Apple and someone is the perfect surveillance capitalism lab rat. As someone who lived before the internet I feel that it's all become a nightmare fuel dystopia.
Hasn't it been demonstrated that half those "optional" telemetry toggles are in fact just there as a placebo effect? In which, switching items off doesn't affect what telemetry Windows gathers regardless of the user preferences?
I bought a Tuxedo laptop on your recommendation about 10 months ago. I can say that I am very pleased with the hardware, and the customization options.
However, if you are in the US, I do not recommend buying as the warranty for sending it back to be fixed (screen died within the first month k had it) is only free in Europe. It cost me about $100 USD to ship it back to Germany. They were super helpful and responded in a timely manner, but I can’t justify spending $100 on top of my warranty to send it back
As a side note, I had mine customized with a custom keyboard print and back logo, and when I sent it back for the screen repair, asked them to update the keyboard print (I had send them the wrong file, my fault not theirs). They kept the device waiting for another keyboard to come and print on that never did, and while I was willing to pay for the new keyboard, could not justify the $100 shipping on top of the $50ish(?) price.
it is important to check if the disabling of the telemetry really turns it off
Microsoft are just outrageous!!! Cheers Nick great video.....happy Linux user here since 2009, seems I'm not missing much.
for me it was since april 2019 the linus tech tips video with james & emily formally known as anthony
Love The PC security channel, thanks for this. These things need to be revisited after every big update of an OS.
You're the only TH-camr I know making sponsor segue funny and natural instead of cringy! Also, I like Proton Mail 😁
I appreciate this video, but I really need to know how they compare *without* regard to default settings. If I toggle all UI switches off, and follow the simple steps mentioned in this video (disabling a service or two -once-) are they all equal RE: privacy apart from their past conduct?
Fantastic video. I have been waiting for someone to make this/ haven't been able to find it. You are now my new favorite TH-camr!
And this is just the start of a deep rabbit hole. Nicely covered.
I'll be only using Linux on my new pc, because pc stands for "Personal Computer", so it will be nice to finally have control over the items I bought and own.
@Dustter found the troll
@@ninetysixvoid the troll has a point. With the advent of linux gaming & gaming setups proprietary peripheral softwares are a nightmare. They're needed to setup firmware updates, lighting & button control, etc
Using a VM should solve it easily though.
Linux is literally built by spy agencies
Yay. A debate. Opinion is welcome, but Is there proof? And how many of you screaming spyware at Linux are still walking around with a smartphone? :D
As I said. Just the start of the rabbit hole. Followed by having control of my pc. I never said I’d be free of tracking. Funny what people read and choose to respond to.
@@ghost-user559 but doesn't has spuware
Switched all my computers to Pop Os and haven't looked back. Wow I really do not miss anything. I use web version of Office and Outlook and they work great.
alr wanted to rec the pc security channel who showed all those telemetry on windows 11 (wich made me outright refuse to upgrade!). great to see you mentioning his video!
Woulda been fun to include some BSD for a change ;) I reckon most packages are the same as on Linux or even less talkative, though, but a change is a change and a change is good.
Hi! Very good and interesting video. Can you pls also create same video, but with privacy comparing of mobile phones OS? Like iOS, Android…
I wonder if Windows LTSC with all the data collection features off and not running a "debloat" script really is any better
I don't know Limitless OS seemed kind of sketchy I downloaded a few flat packs from the store and for some reason my internet started to lag hour after install after I turned off the PC my internet stopped lagging very strange I wonder what those packages do in the background
@TheLinuxEXP Hello do you have a reflink for ProtonVPN too?
Well - great comparison. I'd like iOS and Android compared, too. I remember there was this outrage about Unity possibly collecting data due to searching for stuff even if it was meant to be searched for locally.
I remember hearing about the Unity search thing. AFAIK it was removed in later version of Ubuntu, but I'm not 100% sure
Thanks for this, I'm a Linux user and fan for many reasons, but this was a nice review. Thanks for the Proton Mail tip, I'll check it out, I want out of Gmail. I have my own domain I use for my stuff, but I like a general mail when needed to subscribe, etc. I agree about Android...Chrome, ChromeOS and gmail (and gvoice) - sieves! I have a degoogled Chromebook, I call my Linuxbook, I removed Chrome entirely and installed Linux and now it's better than a Macbook Air. I like the Tuxedo PC idea. I've often wondered why everyone has to get the latest and great machine to get some new Windows update. Most people don't need 16GB or RAM, 2 TB of storage, and 4ghz, but...maybe Windows bloatware does...
The most telling thing about "telemetry's" true nature is the fact that it's the one part of VS Code that's not open source. If it's really as innocent as MS claims, why hide it?
Wow nice video! Really puts into perspective how far these companies are willing to go. I've been trying to get my friends to switch to linux because of this.
I'd love some tips on that if you have any!
It's been a year and I've converted 1 person to our cult.
getting my friends to switch to linux is out of the question because they all play valorant or other shitty games with invasive anti cheats that don't work on linux
@@ADarnSmore Gpu passthrough to a virtualized windows might be an option, but probably not for many reasons.
@@elecbaguette valorant, fortnite, rainbow six siege, and probably more have banned the use of virtual machines.
@@elecbaguettebro really not beating the cult allegations
Since you’ve been reviewing interesting distros recently, have you heard of BlendOS? It seems like it’s still in early stages but could be very cool
I have and I’ll definitely look at it soon!
@@TheLinuxEXPawesome, thanks and keep up the amazing videos!
MS might re-enable services and startup programs after system updates so check it constantly.
I'd like to see this for mobile too.
As always, creative and very useful to people type of video ❤
Thanks!
Nice research man! Very thorough!
4:08 Wow, i thought atleast keylogger might be hidden
Because of telemetry and the ad servers and the software that is not installed on windows but still transports information even on a fresh install...
Is it a solution to block these connections with a standalone device which is a firewall?
How can someone find out which address to block because there could be thousanda of addresses out there that windows connects to, right?
Is it worth it?
Great overview, however I really missed a note regarding the closed source nature of Windows and macOS, because that means you can't verify and hence cannot trust what Microsoft and Apple put in their privacy policy. If not already for their own interest, it is well known that government agencies like the NSA force them to provide undisclosed access to their users' data. Even a Wireshark test only gives limited insight. For one, the one you've shown seemed to be performed on the machine being investigated, so the results are basically useless. It is like asking a suspect to investigate itself. Second, there are a plethora of ways an OS can channel out data undetected, even if under independent network traffic surveillance. Just look at some BlackHat and CCC demos.
that's true. but realistically, would you go through the source code of your entire OS? You might say no but others will. Remember, you're more likely to receive help if one person sees you getting hit by something than you are if dozens of people do. Because they all expect someone else to help you. One of you will. Someone will. That's what most people think until it becomes apparent that no one will and one of them has to then do what they would have done instantly if others weren't around. I get your point and its totally valid. But its one of those things that realistically, we're still going off of trusting someone else. In the case of apple and microsoft, we can generate a reputation for them. But contributing developers don't develop a reputation. We should trust them far less. They have very little to lose. But someone is bound to spot it right? Someone else. Someone. Maybe, maybe not. Maybe the government has a backdoor into ubuntu. After all, the people that contribute the most code to linux are the same ones that are hired by the corporations which actively work with the government and secretly exchange your private data with them. Linux is not a profit corporation but it is stuck together by the goodwill of many (who unfortunately amount to very little) and giant corporations such as Microsoft (the ones we claim to hate). Linux might as well be a product of Microsoft, IBM and so on. I can't remember the exact stats but the majority of code contribution comes from those guys. Very little comes from "hobbyists/enthusiasts". Also keep in mind that linux doesn't owe you anything as per the licenses that were agreed upon downloading it and using it.
I'd suggest the method you describe of disabling Windows Telemetry is not reliable. Microsoft is known to change user settings during OS updates and their re-enabling a system service during update would be unsurprising.
Nice overview! :) Thanks!
Not a windows user anymore, but confused about microsoft account [onedrive/live?]. Do you have to have an account there to run windows? -I assume all [selected] telemetry exits your machine if so. But can I run windows without having a windows account? Do I avoid any telemetry in this case -where would it send data if no microsoft account. Sorry if this is so obvious, but I gave up on Windows where possible. I have a few windows machines I turn on occasionally [and they bug me to login], but use rarely!
They make it difficult to run a new install without a Microsoft account but you can still use regular local accounts. All of the data collection discussed in this video is applicable to local accounts. Microsoft accounts just gives more on top of that.
Excellent video and sick tan!
Hahah thanks!
I know this may sound crazy, but I turn on full telemetry for KDE as soon as I install Kubutnu. I really want to help the project out any way that I am able to.
I have no issue either that either!
Relying on disabling windows services is probably ill-advised. Updates can easily re-enable services or change default settings. You really have to stay on top of it.
Having a script to check & disable solves it
Happy for you that you got Proton as a sponsor. Recently started using them for my email and so far it looks really good
Same. I've been toying with switching to them for my domain email. I'll click on Nick's link when I do.
proton mail sucks, you can't set up email forwarding like in any normal fucking email service so if you ever want to move away from proton you have no way of automatically forwarding your emails from your old proton address to your new gmail or other email service's address.
@@pl0xy sure, that's bad. On the other side though you can do that probably overnight with many local email applications
@@TheVerrm hmm, maybe, but vendor lock-in is always a bad sign
@@pl0xy sure, I get it and they should've implemented this. There is no excuse and we can only find a workaround like a local app, which sucks. I agree 👍
How do i fix mouse pointer lag and freez on Fedora kde
MacOS is far more nuanced. Browsing History and other more personal data aren’t shared for Advertising, but for syncing purposes. If you don’t trust Apple with this information, disable sync. Apart from that MacOS is actually pretty good, but of course can’t compete with most Linux Distros
what do you mean, MacOS can't compete with Linux distros??
@@eduardwalter812 In terms of privacy
It would be interesting to do the same exercise with Chrome OS. I know it's probably quite bad because it's google, but as a comparison to the others.
I can tell you about that since I had a Chromebook before. It's the same as running Google Chrome on a computer and relying on Google for your every needs: Emails, Notes, Passwords even your files. You submit everything to Google out of the box. You can use other services or web browsers for example, but it's less convenient and depending on your device, you can't install another web browser.
@@Linux_ASMR yeah that would be my expectations, plus adding access to wifi, bluetooth and the list of installed apps.
Pretty much the same as Android now that I think about it.
@@dariva Yeah, whatever you do on a Chromebook gets sent to Google, it's not a private device.
Chromebooks are good devices for tech illiterate people like older people or very young children that never used a computer before, but it does come at the price of privacy.
You should also add BSDs to your channel something like OpenBSD would have been cool to see in this video
"Apart from that, I've never heard of a distro that collects data in the background and it doesn't inform you..."
I can name two, actually!
One is Linux FX, made to look and feel like Windows 11 but was paywalled. They even suffered a data breach at one point.
There's also Red Star OS. That one is an actual North Korean distribution and was loaded with spyware and trackers, even tagging USB drives inserted into the system.
At least North Star OS has lightweight telemetry (spyware) that doesn't slow the system like windows
and deepin os
I think that people also buy Apple products for the services they propose: iCloud Private Relay is a great example, as well as Mail Privacy Protection.
Let's not forget that telemetry isn't enabled by default on Macs - the user can *choose* to opt in during the first macOS install.
I've been considering Proton email. The ad was informative.
On the bright side, we know there is at least one thing Windows doesn’t track, whether or not you pressed the ‘disable telemetry’ button
For now, what Linux distributions have driver support for older laptop models and are easy to use for beginners who want to try switching and adapting to Linux? And if possible, a light Linux distributions that can run programming applications smoothly like vscode/atom?
My laptop is Sony Vaio model from 2012 🤔
I would strongly recommend Linux Mint xfce for the lightest option that is also the most friendly to use. Although realistically the mate and cinnamon DEs don't seem much heavier to me, YMMV.
I run mint cinnamon on a 2013 MacBook air and it's amazing.
Ubuntu is good as well if you just want an out of the box and going experience but it has been shown to be noticeably slower in recent versions on old hardware.
I have used Garuda Linux with Vscode and PyCharm no issues I noticed it compiled my Flutter code faster than windows too
all of distros have simmilar hw support
I also have a Vaio laptop with 3rd gen Intel i3 running Linux mint since 3 years ago, still working smoothly
And yes, you can run vscode on any linux distro
@@ambostralian Thanks for the very detailed explanation. I'll try to find info and learn first the 3 differences from the xfce/mate/cinnamon version
don't forget about:
1. microsoft teams being install again and again even though it already uninstalled.
2. search engine on edge, even though you changed it to something else and its part of your sync (sync setting), it will change back to Bing once you already sync everything on edge in new pc.
3. even winaero tweaker couldn't stop windows behavior in term of personalize ads and tailored experience, even if you already check it, it will remain unchecked once you go to winaero tool (windows behavior)
4. installing edge developer, and there's a stable edge being installed too. WTH.
Is linux stable on the Tuxedo computers? I like the idea of Linux, and have used it in the past but have had trouble with it. Last year I partitioned the drives and installed Pop Os on my laptop and my desktop. It worked well for awhile but then wouldn't update, and would freeze In the end I went back to using Windows as I just didn't have the time to find fixes.
"I partitioned the drives"... that's probably why you were having issues. Windows is a real pig at messing up Linux systems stored on the same drives.
thx for the video :) very informative, especialy since i need to bolt down my own dual boot win 11 and help my mother bolt down her win 11 too
Ubuntu does have tracker services enabled by default
so, what ubuntu does still sounds pretty harmless compared to windows and macos, or did i get it wrong?
I remember back in the days of CP/M when it was just Gary Kildall coming round your house to collect a stool sample.
You have the option of one of the bsd distributions, so if you value privacy you don't only have one option.
And Haiku, theres plenty of niche operating systems out there.
I like the Tux logo. I wish that my laptop keyboard would have the option to replace the Windows key with a Tux face.
Alright, I disabled all that telemetry on my parents' Windows 11 computer.
I enable popcon, especially on alternative arches (ia64, hurd-i386). That doesn't scare me.
What about OOShutup10? i run this on all my Windows PCs. Does that help?
Due to Windows being closed source and scripts like OOShutup10 that basically use embedded native tools its incredibly difficult to know one way or another. They probably help to some degree but they do put a big flag on your system by not "hiding in plain sight".
Yes, linux is really freedom and belongs to everyone, not a few people.The LINUX you use is your own. This is the real greatness, core value and original intention of LINUX.🥰🥰🥰
You didnt mention that mac os and ios still collect and send data even after the toggles are turned off. Apple states they and their partners see you toggled them off and "trust me bro" don't look. Unless you're suspected of anti-party activities, and finder doesn't have a privacy toggle to stop it from sending documents to gov agencies for "research".
For Windows, to be on the safer side, might want to create some firewall rules in your hardware firewall (your SOHO router). Let Wireshark run a while to pick up addresses while not doing anything on a fresh boot. Blocking some will likely break the search feature and forget about Cortana. Also don't use Edge since it will spy on you anyways. Brave is probably the best option here. Don't forget about your DNS. The Mullvad project runs DNS servers with and without adblocking.
Brave and Firefox/Librewolf
Thanks
I've added custom rules to Windows Firewall which seem to block most of the surface-level things.
For me, the most important thing is what they do with my data behind the scenes. That typing data. Does Microsoft store it encrypted or unencrypted? How long do they store it? What scripts are run on it? Does Microsoft sell it to third parties? Same questions go for everything collected by all three operating systems
This is always the part that these types of conversations leave out.
My classic example is people complaining "omg android tracks my location" which on the surface is horrible. But also how often do you use the maps feature to check congestion and how long a trip is supposed to take a certain time?
Nick that pink color text doesn't look good, please consider fixing accessiblity issues.
they mismatch shades
macOS asks you if you want to share analytics data when you set it up, so I'd say it's much better than Windows out of the box.
Thanks for the video!
at 4:30 in this video I felt like getting up like Ron Swanson and throwing my Windows computer in the garbage
Hi Nick
Another good and informative video, as always.
Regarding telemetry on Windows instances.
When a customer asks me to give them the Windows Update or upgrade to Windows 11, the customer goes through some questions. So also in the area of security and privacy.
Most of the time these customers say they only need a little software and want to send as little data as possible.
Then I usually run them through three security tools. (Software names I give you gladly, but private).
After that, only very few trackers (unfortunately difficult to get to 0) are active in the system.
So far never had problems and after updates or main updates just run again, check if the trackers are back in. Run and is good.
Partly still need Windows or MacOS for jobs.
Linux is suboptimal for some of my customers (software from Adobe, or control software, and other proprietary software) in operation.
However, I could inspire some acquaintances of the Linux thought, they test it in a virtual system (clear with restrictions) but it sounds good so far.
Keep up the good work
00:58 that's why thunderbird blocks images by default
Technically Red Star OS is a linux distribution that tracks everything you do, but it is only used in North Korea
The perfect OS for Kim's big 🙏
Deepin, Ubuntu(any ubuntu based distro), Slax(not slackware), Sabayon, Pardus. I'm a linux user, i use debian but i would HIGHLY caution you to look at what you install and use. Oh and don't forget about honeypots like Tails OS haha...
@@nou712 I wouldn't say tails itself is a honeypot, the tor network itself though is 100%.
Ça aurait été drôle si tu aurais mentionné RedStarOS, le distro de notre Chef Cher
Great work 👍🏻
For using Proton unlimited since 2 years, for sure you got a very good sponsor ! ❤
Video is slightly different this time, and better. More fps? However, thanks for the informative vid 😊
Still 50 FPS but I tried to make things more dynamic to make the most out of the relatively drab topic 😅
Topic is of great interest to me, since I am the data protection guy in our company. And yes, it feels like 60 fps LOL😅
I wouldn't mind up to complete telemetry with Windows, macOS and Android if default was all off.
i have blocked most of microsoft endpoints in my firewall, then turned off everything in settings, then edited registry, then used windows tweaker, still not sure. It's frustrating when you live in europe country with GDPR.
And: the BSD variants, and SunOS variants, like OpenIndiana are viable options :3
It's a shame that all users can't/wont see this. Good work m8. 🙂
Technically these are no longer "operating systems". From a historical perspective. The FIRST operating system for a microprocessor is officially Gary Kildall's CP/M operating system officially recognized by the IEEE. The stated purpose of the operating system is to abstract the hardware, so that Apps can be "multiplatform" and do not need re-coding for other hardware configurations, whether that configuration is even a completely different CPU, architecture.
Obviously that is not the case anymore, and for a long long time. In fact, today's OS lock you into their "system" and Apps are anything but "mulitplatform" unless they are coded that way, and most definitely need a different code base for every different architecture, (which was the original purpose of the OS in the first place).
Also the original OS, was nothing more than an interface (API) to the hardware and a "launcher" of Apps, and was not suppose to "get in the way" in fact it was suppose to be almost non existent for the User. Now, it has come to the point that the OS is THE App of the computer and it's basic purpose is to track you.
Well said.
Speaking of privacy, I heard flutter will always send analysis info to google, and you cannot disable it😮
you shoud make another one for security aspect