| think-man said: It can be turned off though, Im sure I read that somewhere. |
Yes, they said something like this. But in my opinion, this is hardly going to convince the critics - maybe even rather the contrary.
I mean, if someone does not trust the software running on Xbox 1, fearing that there might be built-in mechanisms that allow for the Kinect to be used as a surveillance device - no matter if these fears are justified or not - why should these people trust a simple software switch in the very same firmware?
If you were suspicious that a certain website asking for your online banking credentials might be a phishing attack, would you feel safe if there was a section on the very same page saying "We will not use your information to rob your banking account"?
So wouldn't people rather think: "Wait a minute, if I can simply turn Kinect off in the settings, why can't I simply not attach the device at all?" That way, these people wouldn't have to trust that the device isn't spying on them; they could simply ensure it.
That would indeed be the easiest and most reliable way to calm down any fears about Xbox One being a "surveillance device". But they didn't do it, and so far I haven't seen a really good explanation for why they didn't chose this most obvious solution. The best explanation I've heard so far is what some Microsoft person even confirmed: That the privacy options in Xbox One allow for a certain amount of control about what information the Xbox 1 collects and sends to the internet - but the user does not have full control.
I guess certain hardcore Microsoft enthusiasts will continue to simply ignore and ridicule any privacy fears, even though we are experiencing history's biggest mass surveillance scandal right now. EVILOLIVE, MICT, TRAFFICTHIEF, CONVEYANCE, NUCLEON, PINWALE, SCISSORS, FALLOUT, PRINTAURA, UTT, MARINA & MAINWAY, PRISM - The list of surveillance programs being made public is growing faster than my ability to remember what they are all for can handle, and I probably even forgot a few...
