AI apps such as Claude and Manus can now request Windows 11 for permission to access files using File Explorer. This is an optional feature, and it’s going to be your concern only when you use one of the AI apps.
How is this different then Claude code cli cating files? Just the UI?, cause this has been a thing on Mac and Linux for a while now.
It kind of saddens me that none of my friends in the physical world are technical enough to even understand what all of this means when I try to explain it to them. They just can’t grasp the importance of privacy. It’s super frustrating that the only people who understand what I’m talking about when I talk about the importance of privacy are people who already think the same way.
I just about lost it when my dad said, “Why should I keep a lock on everything? I have nothing to hide!” BRUH. He was head of a large program at the time. He was absolutely the person to hack.
The “I have nothing to hide” argument is so infuriating to me that it makes me want to scream.
Yeah, it’s difficult to understand. It took me a long time to get it. I was stubbornly stuck on “yeah but what will they actually do with that info?” and “it’s just too difficult to worry about all that”. It had to get way worse for me to take any action and it took a lot to get me to realize you can abate the problem without it being perfectly “solved”. I think that’s a lot of people. “Well you can’t fix it so why try? It’s too hard in the first place”
Don’t depair! Lemmy tells me every day that millions and millions of people are switching to Linux!
Same here man
You can tell this is Microsoft from all those screenshots of dialogue boxes where the “no and never ask again” option is replaced by “not now”
Windows 11 is no longer allowed to access my boot sequence
Windows 11 is certainly not allowed to access my personal files, nobody should allow that. I have to use it for work, and I do, but I treat it like I’m wearing a hazmat suit and it’s not getting anywhere near anything I consider “personal”.
yeah, I have an emergency windows partition if something like that ever comes up
Oh no my dual-boot! Fuck. I’ll find a way. Tbh I never use it, or store anything too personal on it. It’s more one of those things I have just in case. It’s also easier to sail the seas on there, separate from my important shit…
Aside from the security and privacy concerns. I can’t wait for these AI agents to start erasing or scrambling vital files. I’s gonna be a hoot!
Or planting incriminating evidence
Or law enforcement gaining instant access to your most private files
I wish I thought this was paranoia 🫠
I’m curious how they’re going to implement controls on this at my job. All the tech data I use, literally,. Is considered to be privileged/proprietary information. They literally make us dispose of any printed copies in secured containers.
I don’t think the IT department is going to let this ride. Especially after they only just got windows 11 up and running with the software we need to use.
There will be a GPO for that, always is.
You’ll be able to disable it with the Pro/Enterprise version…. In other words, it will be paywalled
Of course you will.
This message about privacy was brought to you by Microsoft, for Linux Mint.
Most effective marketing ever, got me running Linux Mint already.
It will “allow” apps? Those “apps” are an integral part of the operating system without a way for users to turn it off constantly and reliably.
It seems like this is more for third-party agents users install that will need to request access to permissions in order to have that functionality.
I’d say I think it’s dumb, will never use it, and would also prefer it not exist, but I’m not going to lose sleep over functionality that users have to go out of their way to turn on…
But that’s just the slippery slope argument that will inevitably precede apps everywhere making AI access to your data mandatory to work. Just like when phone permissions became granular and now a recipes app refuses to work if you don’t give it access to your contacts.
“user”
Using windows is an oxymoron. It’s not designed nor possible to be actually used. Its only purpose is to scam, spy and generate revenue.
In my day job I do corporate IT support and I must admit, the fully domain-integrated systems, deployed and maintained using SCCM, configured using GPOs and working with the M365 suite client-side and server-side using Azure, it is actually quite reliable and can be configured to not have any of the bullshit private end-users have to deal with. (Not only the AI crap and the spyware, but also 95% of all default configuration.)
I still wouldn’t touch Windows with a 10ft pole on my personal systems at home.
Not if I don’t run it.
Finally! That’s what we all have been waiting for! /s
Comes with a hot fan, for breathing down your neck.
Of course it will.
I’ve already set Explorer to not show recent files, and turned off Copilot in Notepad (as well as markup) on my work machine. I’ll be watching for these changes.
