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Privacy advocates take aim at Windows XP
Several privacy groups are set to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday regarding Microsoft's imminent release of Windows XP, alleging unfair and deceptive trade practices.
Privacy advocates point to security breaches last year in Microsoft's free Hotmail e-mail program, which is a part of Passport, and a "Code Red" computer worm that recently affected more than 350,000 Microsoft Internet Information Servers.
Further illustrating Microsoft's push to convert consumers into Passport customers, the software giant already requires people to sign up for a Passport account to buy an e-book through its software, advocates say.
"If a major book publisher were to start demanding consumers produce a drivers license before reading a book, people would be outraged," said Jason Catlett, president of Junkbusters. "Microsoft's strategic intent is plainly to be the monopoly broker of identity who takes a cut of each transaction," Catlett said. "They shouldn't be allowed to get there."
...Cullinan said consumers are not required to sign up for Passport to use Windows XP. However, there are features in the system that require an authentication service, including Windows Messenger and Hotmail, he said.

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