People want EFF to investigate Microsoft for ‘malicious’ Windows 10 upgrade practices
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Ever since Microsoft launched the free Windows 10 upgrade, we’ve been covering the various options available for you to install the latest and greatest Windows operating system. It turns out that more than a few people are not very happy about Microsoft’s practices in regards to getting Windows users to upgrade. Todd Kleinpaste is one of these users, and is the founding signature on a new change.org petition to get a digital rights group called Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to investigate Microsoft for ‘malicious’ Windows 10 upgrade practices.
The petition, which has 483 of the required 500 signatures, states that people were forced or tricked into the upgrade from their current and preferred Windows version. It also states:
“Microsoft’s practices with their newest operating system, named Windows 10, has been ignorantly unethical at best and malicious at worst.”
Todd’s petition also cites “increasing” instances of where users were forced into the upgrade.  It also calls out Microsoft for putting unblockable tracking mechanisms into Windows 10 and Windows 7 and 8.  Additionally, and in line with this, the petition points out that:
“Windows 10 is uninstalling software from users computers on its own, without requesting it from the user, even software that is compatible with Windows 10.”
Other interesting notes in the petition include the fact that it claims, “Microsoft has stated that they intend to stop allowing software to be installed through any means other than their store.” However, while we’ve already covered the many UWP games available for download, the petition cites the UWP as:
 ..[Giving] Microsoft a cut of every game sold for their platform, a situation unprecedented in the Windows platform and severely hindering the abilities of independent game developers.
With the deadline approaching for the free Windows 10 Upgrade, the petition is nonetheless very interesting and draws attention towards Microsoft’s practices.  Despite the petition, It is worth noting that after the July 29th, all instances of “get Windows 10” will be disabled and eventually removed from PCs worldwide. How do you feel about this petition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
