It’s not. It’s a backup.
You even acknowledged yourself that it could be a useful feature, not a backdoor and even considered “backdooring” Whonix too.
You’re completely misrepresenting what they’re actually doing. As said in the articles linked, Microsoft gives some companies early access to vulnerability info/releases so they can patch their systems before it’s public.
This is done everywhere and isn’t an issue. Linux does this too.
https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/admin-guide/security-bugs.html#coordination
Fixes for sensitive bugs, such as those that might lead to privilege escalations, may need to be coordinated with the private <linux-distros@vs.openwall.org> mailing list so that distribution vendors are well prepared to issue a fixed kernel upon public disclosure of the upstream fix.
It’s what you’re saying.
It’s still hardly “sabotage”. Should be put in the user freedoms restrictions: “Only paying customers can postpone updates”.
Not a big difference since we’ve already covered that hiding backdoors in open source code is just as easy.
It is.
https://www.gnu.org/proprietary/proprietary.html
Proprietary Software Is Often Malware
“Often” is far too often for GNU/FSF.
Already debunked one of their points above as an example and am not going to spend an entire week debunking the entire website.
Actual respected experts e.g. Bruce Schneier.
Which doesn’t mean anything. Windows is still far ahead than standard Linux distros and even has advantages over Qubes. Where’s CFI in Qubes again?
It doesn’t really matter. It’s still a security-enhanced version.
No, it’s not a theory. It’s a reality and it is happening in practice. There’s plenty examples of widespread Linux malware e.g. Advanced Linux backdoor found in the wild escaped AV detection | Ars Technica
It makes no sense to claim malware on e.g. Debian won’t work on Ubuntu when they use nearly all of the same software. They just come from different repositories.
Still not true. It’s easy to talk to Microsoft devs. Again, many even have Twitter accounts where any random person can talk to them. I can even give examples if you want me to.
- Files on devices can be deleted if they were downloaded from sources competing with Apple companies.
I don’t see that in the GNU page.
- Intentional backdoors allow remote root privileges, wipes and deletion of applications.
No, the “remote root backdoor” was a bug that was fixed. Perfect example of GNU’s FUD. They immediately call every bug in proprietary software a “backdoor” with no evidence of such.
The deleting apps thing is behind a paywall so I can’t see it.
- An insecure design allows execution of malicious code by applications and the extraction of messaging history.
Big deal. It had a few bugs in the past. Everything has.
- Devices are bricked if fixed by an “unauthorized” repair shop.
That’s true and is shitty but it’s not a privacy/security issue.
- Devices are bricked that were unlocked without permission.
This just seems like they fixed a verified boot bypass.
- Biometric markers like fingerprints are used for device authorization.
That’s not an issue. You can get fingerprint readers on Linux too.
- Extensive personal information is sent to Apple servers, such as:
All telemetry can be disabled.
And there were no real rebuttals to my points.
Straw man. Not once have I claimed that Windows doesn’t have privacy issues. I’ve acknowledged Windows’ privacy issues numerous times now. Read the discussion, stop making wild assumptions and stop putting words in my mouth.
I know Windows is spyware. I’m not claiming otherwise.
All macOS telemetry can easily be disabled and you can verify that it is with simple network monitoring.