09.28.09

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Microsoft Confirms Windows Mobile Has Kill Switch and Remote Deletion Built in

Posted in Apple, DRM, Free/Libre Software, Microsoft, Windows at 3:47 am by Dr. Roy Schestowitz

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Summary: Microsoft confirms antifeatures enabled by Windows Marketplace for Mobile

BACK DOORS are not something new as far as Microsoft is concerned and they are said to exist in Windows Mobile too. The FBI occasionally uses some.

Zune was rumoured to have a “copyright cop” built in and the same goes for Xbox, where kill switches allegedly exist. But it is not just a Microsoft issue. Apple does the same thing and Amazon’s Kindle has already put to bad use its remote deletion capability.

“Free software puts the user, as opposed to some hostile programmer, in charge.”The latest news is that, according to Ars Technica, Microsoft finally confirms the existence of kill switches (and remote application deletion abilities) that apply to Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

It is stuff like this which occasionally serves as a reminder of the importance of Free software. Free software puts the user, as opposed to some hostile programmer, in charge. █

“We’ve had DRM in Windows for years. The most common format of music on an iPod is “stolen”.”

–Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO

“DRM is the future.”

–Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO

“We’ve been very focused on producing a DRM system. [...] We think DRM is important”

–Robbie Bach, Microsoft President

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