Thank you for your answers. Yes, it is a new laptop that was pre-installed with Vista, and yes I did read the entire OEM's EULA and it never mentionned anything about WGA or Microsoft's data collection process as it is (loosely) outlined in the WGA privacy statement. I will consider your answers, although it would be nice to see something MS official on the matter, however this laptop is quite unstable anyhow, I suspect immature drivers (or Vista), so I will most likely return it anyhow.
David, as far as personally identifiable information goes, I believe that as it is (loosely, i.e.: information such as...) defined in the WGA privacy statement, Microsoft collects forensic data able to uniquely identify every single PC in the world. Since it's our own personal PCs/laptops, and they follow us around, it is as personal as it gets. You may argue that our own DNA does not contain personal information, like our name, address, etc., however how disturbing would you find it if governments and major corporations were all allowed to keep a sample of your DNA on file? And they would ask to check your DNA whenever you did business with them... just to make sure you're not a criminal? WGA is worse than this because Microsoft could, in effect, easily track every unique PC in the world whenever they connect to the internet, something that could not be easily done with your DNA. And Microsoft wants us to register our product keys by supplying our name and contact information?!... you'd have to be crazy to believe there is no way they can link this information.
But of course I'm wrong: Microsoft should be able to continually monitor our PCs to make sure we don't do anything wrong, the RIAA and MCAA should be able to have programs monitoring your PC to make sure you don't have any unlicensed (or simply copies of your) media, so should every software manufacturer have the right to monitor your PC. It just makes sense. The goverment should also be allowed to have programs monitoring your PC to ensure you're not a terrorist, or that you don't have any documents that dissagree with the powers that be, or, god forbid, tasteless art. Microsoft is very much like the goverment, it represents the people, works for the people, respects them and would never cross any questionnable boundaries for the sake of it's share holders. It's very simple, just trust Microsoft.
