The IT Nerd

When Windows 10 first appeared, a feature called WiFi Sense got my attention because of the following reason:

Here’s my concern. Microsoft does say that your contacts will only be able to share your network access, and that Wi-Fi Sense will block those users from accessing any other shared resources on your network, including computers, file shares or other devices. However, a skilled hacker is going to find some way to make all of that invalid and then they pwn your network and anything on it. But there’s more. This feature, if you want to call it that, integrates with Google Maps by letting Google index the location of your WiFi Network.

Holy lack of privacy Batman!

Well, a Windows Blog post by  Gabe Aul indicates that WiFi Sense is going into the rubbish bin as of the latest Windows 10 Beta (build 14342 for those who want to know). Here’s why:

“We have removed the WiFi Sense feature that allows you to share WiFi networks with your contacts and to be automatically connected to networks shared by your contacts,”

And:

“The cost of updating the code to keep this feature working, combined with low use and low demand, made this not worth further investment. WiFi Sense, if enabled, will continue to get you connected to open WiFi hotspots that it knows about through crowdsourcing.”

The removal of WiFi Sense is interesting, and you can read into the reasons that Microsoft gave however you want. I know how I’m reading it, which is that people didn’t want this feature.

This entry was posted on May 12, 2016 at 8:29 am and is filed under Commentary with tags Microsoft. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.