Edward Snowden, a former CIA and National Security Agency contractor, warned Windows users that Microsoft developers could be collecting personal data from accounts across its OS versions. He suggested that such data collection can affect user privacy and that it may be difficult to disable entirely.
Snowden stated that Linux performs better for those who value privacy and control, arguing that Windows emphasizes data gathering over user autonomy. He asserted that Windows often relies on language meant to reassure users about data safety while masking the underlying practices.
According to Snowden, abandoning Windows could reduce personal risk and limit exposure to data collection. He described Windows as a product designed with Microsoft’s interests in mind rather than those of individual users, and he advised that alternatives should be considered when possible.
In a separate statement, Snowden criticized U.S. government procedures he described as disclosure enforcement, calling for scrutiny of how information is requested and shared with the public. His comments reflect broader concerns about transparency and the balance between security measures and civil liberties.
Snowden’s travel and status developments were noted in various updates, including the December 2022 report that he received a Russian passport and took the oath of Russian citizenship. These details are part of the broader context surrounding his public advocacy and commentary on digital privacy and governance.