Microsoft drops pirate checks
`Microsoft has dropped Big Brother-style plans to track down pirated copies of Windows XP, dumping elements of its Windows Genuine Advantage Notification after they ignited a firestorm of controversy.
The stealth application, introduced with auto updates in Australia in April as part of a pilot scheme, “phoned home” every time the computer was booted to confirm that the operating system was genuine.
If the software was pirated it triggered a series of irritating warnings. Now Microsoft has reacted to user anger by switching off the boot-up check.’
