A computer user is suing Microsoft over the company's Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy tool, alleging that it violates laws against spyware. The suit by Los Angeles resident Brian Johnson, filed this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle, seeks class-action status for claims that Microsoft didn't adequately disclose details of the tool when it was delivered to PC users through the company's Automatic Update system.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2005-06-29
I'm still holding out. I had no idea I wouldn't be able to get security updates without the WGA update, I couldn't figure out why things were so peaceful in Windows lately (no notices of available updates).
I don't remember getting any notification that the update would cause problems, in fact I specifically went to the Windows update site and used the online interface to tell it never to try the update again. I also made sure the configuration on my computers was set up so it would only download and not install anything. If I'm cut off from getting updates because of that then I'm done with Windows.
Member since:2005-10-02
I was cut off, but I'm not sure if everybody was cut off at the same time, or if it happens gradually.
I tried to tell the updater not to download the WGA but it simply kept coming back with it. And trying to update via IE simply gave me the message that I had to install the WGA in order to access Windows Update.
Member since:
2005-10-02
2 days ago I finally installed WGA, simply because I was forced to do so.
I could not install the updates without accepting the WGA being installed. I was quite close to wipe out my Windows installation, since it isn't strictly necessary for me anymore.