Interesting.

Senator Paula Simons

Interesting. The Senate recently did a big update on our Microsoft computers. When the dust settled, it came up with a new configuration that pushed MS News at us. Primarily FOX News and some very "bro" centric lifestyle sites. All pro-Trump all the time. With the help of my staff, I was able to resent my configurations to Canada, and get CP and CBC instead. But. The Microsoft default was right wing news sites, sports, and pictures of women with big boobs. (No thanks , I've already got some.)

Senator Paula Simons

So I'm curious. Is this the new Microsoft strategy? To push pro-Trump bro culture as the default, every time someone updates their laptop? (Or was my experience outside the norm?) I've done a bunch of blocking, and updated preferences. But I wonder how many people will bother, or will just passively accept a stream of this nonsense pushed to them by their computers without questioning it.

SnowshadowII :maple:

@Paulatics

You need someone to help you switch to Linux.

Paul Turnbull 🇨🇦 🇺🇦 🇵🇸

@Paulatics My bet would be that Fox is paying Microsoft to be their default in news. Sadly pretty standard in the tech world that whoever pays gets top billing.

Greg A

@Paulatics Well, not, it's not really new that Microsoft is pushing tabloid-ish news through the browser start page or that side pane. You were probably spared from it for a long time if your IT was doing the right thing and had it turned off. They make less and less money from OS licensing so they're making it up with ads and services revenue.

bjb :devuannew: :emacs:

@Paulatics Is it windows 10 or 11? Or are you allowed to say that publicly? Asking because I wonder if these updated machines will be subject to the "Recall" "feature".

Havyhh2

@Paulatics may be useful to have your staff put out some helpful directions for others to reset their systems….if possible??

Cass M 🇨🇦 :failtusk: :CApride:

@Paulatics I'm surprised there is no customized start to for you organization (I know it's the senate) I worked for a multi-national that had specific start up settings for the computer and browser…

Senator Paula Simons

@havvyhh2 Good idea. I think I will do that on Monday.

Senator Paula Simons

@bjb 11.

Senator Paula Simons

@SnowshadowII I don’t think that’s an option.

The Many Voices of Anne Ahlert

@SnowshadowII @Paulatics

"You need to switch to Linux" is a very Mastodon thing to comment. LOL

But... You're not wrong.

Richard Nairn

@Paulatics Facebook pushed a follow on Trump to a bunch of people. Hard pass

Alistair Davidson

@SnowshadowII @Paulatics The real problem is less what the Senator is exposed to and more what hundreds of millions of voters are exposed to. Fox news even if you wouldn't have chosen to watch it!

Action Jay 🐾 :CApride:

@Paulatics oof, that's gross

SnowshadowII :maple:

@TheManyVoices

yeah, I know, I am guilty. I'm sorry.
@Paulatics

Senator Paula Simons

@SnowshadowII @TheManyVoices It’s not my personal computer. It belongs to the Senate and has all kinds of security features. I can’t just add software - and i certainly can’t unilaterally change operating systems! I appreciate your enthusiasm, however.

Senator Paula Simons

@moh_kohn @SnowshadowII Well, exactly.

Gordon J Holtslander

@Paulatics In Europe self-managed cloud solutions like NextCloud & Owncloud allow govt’s to have control of all their data. Is Canada setting itself up to be vulnerable to foreign interference by relying on Microsoft and it’s built in reliance on Office 365? https://nextcloud.com/blog/press_releases/europes-public-sector-embraces-digital-sovereignty-with-nextcloud-hub-8-over-big-tech/

Gordon J Holtslander

@Paulatics https://nextcloud.com/