I don’t know about you, but I’m wondering if Microsoft even has a clue anymore. They seem lost between being jealous of Google and trying to catch up (innovation-wise) with Apple.
Now comes news that, without notification, and without being included in the user agreement, Microsoft recycles usernames which haven’t been used in 270 days, thus exposing the previous owner’s sensitive emails and data to the new user. Yahoo has done the same thing, but at least they warned their users about it before recycling their accounts. Google never recycles usernames or accounts.
From Windows 8 to its failed cell phones, to its slow-selling iPad clone “Surface”, to its unfathomable neglect of users relying on its Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Defender in Windows 8) antivirus program, Microsoft not only seems to be lost, but unaware of how all this appears to the public.
Our question today: Does Microsoft even have a clue anymore?
Here’s the article about the recycling of Hotmail, Live, MSN, and Outlook accounts from Mashable.com:
Microsoft is recycling inactive email accounts for its Outlook, Hotmail and Live services, potentially exposing users to previous owners’ private information, according to a new report posted by Dutch website Webwereld.
“The software giant’s services agreement informs users that they must periodically log in to their Outlook, Hotmail or Windows Live ID accounts to keep them active. It reads:
The Microsoft branded services require that you sign in to your Microsoft account periodically, at a minimum of every 270 days, to keep the Microsoft branded services portion of the services active, unless provided otherwise in an offer for a paid portion of the services. If you fail to sign in during this period, we may cancel your access to the Microsoft branded services. If the Microsoft branded services are cancelled due to your failure to sign in, your data may be permanently deleted from our servers.
The agreement doesn’t specify whether accounts would then be recycled, but Microsoft confirmed this to Webwereld and PCWorld, saying “The email account is automatically queued for deletion from our servers. Then, after a total of 360 days, the email account name is made available again.” Mashable reached out to Microsoft, but the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Yahoo has also come under fire for recycling email addresses, but the company warns users about this policy in its terms of service…”
what happens if you use your first and last name(which I don’t).that would be invasion of privacy & open them up to a potential lawsuit for identity theft.
Hi guys:
This is scary. My husband died in March and he used his email account mostly for business. How can I stop this from being recycled?
Thank you both.
this sounds like you guys are fear mongering to me all the time now for some reason?!?
sorry, that was rude of me: however, I do not have any problems with Microsoft Security Essentials at all.
We are a society filled with what you call “fear mongerers”. It’s horribly unfortunate that most people can’t tell these days who the true “fear mongerers”
really are. My experience is that it’s become a term used too casually whenever we hear something different or contrary from whatever it is that we are currently doing or using. We are all victims of “scare tactics”. It’s what we hear everyday as an advertising maneuver to get us to buy/use something.
As for Microsoft Security Essentials, I have been an “anti-virus” protected and heavy online computer user for many, many years. I have never fallen prey to an “attack” except once. That one and only time was recently…while I was “protected” by Microsoft Security Essentials. And that was after WIN8 was released and Microsoft started neglecting their MSE users by cutting back on their MSE updates. So I ask you. How do you KNOW you “don’t have problems with MSE”?
You won’t until you actually do.
Even Microsoft’s website says NOT to use MSE any more. Don’t you wonder why?
You’re free to believe what you want to believe. I don’t really care. It was a news story. If Microsoft wants to recycle user names and leave data behind so people who have no business reading other peoples’sensitive documents — they should put that in their user agreement; the point is, they didn’t. I really don’t care what you do or what email accounts you have. And I don’t care who reads your personal mail. We merely presented a fact — and wondered if Microsoft really knows what they’re doing. I already know they con’t care. The shareholders, of course, will care. By then, Microsoft will be on its knees like GM was — only I really don’t think Microsoft will be getting any government bailouts.
Flippin bastards!
No surprise here. If MS can think of more ways to drive another nail into their coffin trust me, they will succeed. My suggestion to all those that make their living in support of MS products is to remember that diversification is key to success. To those that are now users of MS products, explore your alternatives with an open mind so that when the time comes, you can make an informed, intelligent decision about your future computer needs.
Does Microsoft ever have a clue anymore? Gee…let me give that some thought. It could be said Microsoft literally lead the way to changing the entire world…as a matter of fact I will say it. No they are not prefect, but in comparison neither is Cloudeight…that’s for sure. They have made their share of mistakes…how many times have you flip-flopped on software recommendations and suggestions, or even hardware. The smaller you are the easier it is to take shots at the big guys who actually produce a product, employee thousands of people and graciously share the benefits. You are good at writing your rants and taking your your self proclaimed pontificated shots at the other guy…but then given your significance it should come easy to you.
SUGGESTION: How about letting Microsoft take care of its business and you get back to being a newsletter and helpful site someone may want to look forward to reading…can you remember back to those days?
We have never “flip-flopped” on software. Gee, do you belong to the crazy group on that one forum — I can’t even recall its name — who up until last Friday were recommending MSE. And speaking of Flip-flopping, should we just keep recommending it even though all the evidence pointed to a decline its efficacy?
No one said anyone had to be perfect. But Microosft’s arrogance will lead it into oblivion. And Microsoft didn’t invent the GUI that made computer usable by everyone, that would be Apple from which Microsoft stole the idea. All things being fair, Apple stole it from IBM. Had Steve Jobs been more greedy –he would have made Apple OS work on DOS computers, but he cared more for quality than quantity – which is why Apple is worth more than Microsoft.
But you know what I learned a long time ago? Never argue with someone who is illogical or someone guided by needs. So therefore, I’ll just let everyone look around and tell me what new technology has Microsoft brought forth in the past 5 years? Surface Tablet/ See iPad. Zune? See iPod. Windows phone? Ha! Remember the Kin?
And one more thing. We became famous for flip-flopping when we stopped recommending IncrediMail. But those who think and are intelligent would do their homework and know that IncrediMall has had 3 changes in ownership in the past 5 years. So anybody who keeps recommending something because they once did is either afraid of being called a flip-flopper, or doesn’t give a damn about the people who trust them.
You can yammer on illogically about whatever you want, but no on this forum and not on my site. Try to actually spend some time researching and show me something factual instead of being a Microsoft Fanboy.
We will continue to flip flop until the Web and software become static — then we’ll find things to recommend and never have to revisit them — our recommendations will stand forever.
One of my favorite quotes is: “There is nothing so frightening as ignorance in action.”
Thank you for reminding me again how true that is.
I have always been grateful for infoave and your “flip-flopping” as it keeps us up to date on what is going on in the world of cyber space. We need to know if we can no longer trust something, or it no longer does its job properly, so you “flip-flop” as much as you like. 99.999 per cent of your readers will back you totally
Yeah Marian! I admire those who have the chutzpa (?)to “change their opinion” (flipflop? really??) to benefit others, for they are not afraid to be wrong, mistaken or incorrect. They will tell Truth. (as opposed to “sell” truth??)
You give credit where credit is NOT due. Microsoft didn’t change the world, computer technology did. The necessity to have a common OS for software developers to make programs that could be shared by many was pivotal. How Microsoft manipulated it’s OS system into that role will always be controversil and questionable. It was accompliahed NOT because their operating system was so great, but because their management and advertising was so “shrewd”.
AND, as far as I’m concerned it’s ONLY the
SMALL guys that still have any integrity and care about it’s customers/readers left.
Every “business” has a purpose. In Microsofts’s case, it’s obviously ONLY money. Customers/users be damned.
I totally agree with Cloudeight. Microsoft is the one flip-flopping. You can always depend on Infoave to keep us in the know. Great work guys!
I was surprised to see Infoave so defensive toward criticism. You have never been that way – what is going on? New personnel? There have always been people who do not understand and make stupid or uninformed comments and you have never lost your temper with unbecoming retorts. I will just read your wonderful newsletter from now on. Thanks for the wonderful job you always do.
There’s a difference between constructive or warranted criticism and criticism designed to make us look like flip-flopping idiots. The criticism was not from a reader but from a MS Fanboy who is part of an anti-cloudeight forum who was, until last week at least still recommending INcrediMail and MSE and pointing out that we flip flopped on both. Now if you have something helpful to add or something we’ve stated incorrectly or you have something based in fact to rebut what we’ve said, we’re open to that. But this is not a forum for destructive name-calling or illogical criticism.
And no, we have not changed personnel. TC wrote that and I stand by it. EB did not approve as it was too harsh. But I’m human too and I don’t tolerate ignorance well. I’m sorry if I’ve offended you.
I stand by what I wrote.